When Henry could not secure papal approval for an annulment (for reasons that will shortly become apparent), he performed an astonishing religious volte-face. Liberally reinterpreting his role as Fidei Defensor, he now took the view that protecting the Christian faith did not in fact require his obedience to the pope, but the opposite. In 1534 he withdrew England from its ancient allegiance to Rome, establishing an independent English church with himself as supreme head.
