What did the Act of Supremacy declare?

The Act of Supremacy, enacted in 1534 during the reign of King Henry VIII, declared that the king was the supreme head of the Church of England. This was a pivotal moment in English history as it marked the break from the Roman Catholic Church and the pope's authority. By asserting that the monarch held ultimate religious authority, the Act facilitated the establishment of a national church, which allowed for religious reforms and the creation of a distinctive Anglican identity separate from Catholicism. This declaration empowered Henry VIII to appoint bishops, manage church affairs, and influence doctrine without interference from the Vatican, reflecting the growing trends of nationalism and the shift towards more centralized forms of government. The Act of Supremacy is significant as it laid the groundwork for the Protestant Reformation in England and had lasting implications for the church and state relations.