Why was it difficult for Henry the 8th to divorce with catherine?

Answer 1

At that period of history, people, and even kings, did not have the option of divorce. If two people got married they took a vow to remain married "until death do us part" which is to say, as long as they both lived, and that vow was meant very seriously. To violate that vow was considered to be offensive to God.

Answer 2

Henry VIII only wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon because they had no male child together. They had a daughter, Mary. Catherine of Aragon had 4 failed pregnancies and was getting older - past the point of conceiving a child. Henry VIII decided to reopen the question about Catherine's virginity. She was married first to Henry's brother Arthur, but he died shortly after they were married. It is said that Arthur had testicular cancer and could not consummate the marriage. Never the less, Henry proceeded with his plans to marry Anne Boelyn, one of Catherine's ladies in waiting. He sent Catherine and their daughter Mary into exile. Catherine of Aragon never recovered from the shock of being dethroned and later died in exile.

Answer 3

Because the Pope would not grant him an annullment to his marriage because the Pope had an alliance with Spain and Katherine was the Emperor of Spains Aunt.

Answer 4

Because the national religion of England at the time was Roman Catholicism which doesn't allow divorce.