Final answer:
Henry VIII initially sympathized with the Catholic faith, defending it ardently. His stance shifted due to a desire for a male heir leading to the creation of the Protestant Church of England, which under his rule still retained many Catholic characteristics. Further Protestant reforms occurred under his son, Edward VI.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry VIII of England initially sympathized with the Catholic Faith, staunchly defending it against the growing Protestant Reformation. His opposition to Protestant views can be seen in his early reputation as a devout Catholic, even earning him the title "Defender of the Faith" from Pope Leo X.
However, when Henry VIII's desire for a male heir led to a conflict with the Catholic Church, specifically over the refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, he broke away from the church and established the Church of England, with himself as the head.
This new church, while Protestant in its independence from Rome, largely retained Catholic doctrine and ritual under Henry's reign. Events took a distinct turn towards Protestantism under Henry's son, Edward VI, who enforced more Protestant practices such as allowing priests to marry and the introduction of the English-language Book of Common Prayer.