What motivated Henry VIII to form the Church of England?

Henry VIII's motivation to form the Church of England was primarily driven by his desire for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. At the time, Catherine had not produced a male heir, which was critical for the continuation of the Tudor dynasty. Henry sought an annulment of his marriage, believing that a different wife could provide him with the sons he desired. However, the Pope, who had the authority to grant such an annulment, refused Henry's request, largely due to the political implications and the influence of Catherine's nephew, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Frustrated by this refusal and wanting to secure his lineage, Henry took the momentous step of breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church. He established the Church of England, appointing himself as its supreme leader. This allowed him to annul his marriage and remarry, thus facilitating his quest for a male heir. While there were many other factors and influences at play, including the rising sentiment for reform within England and Europe, the immediate catalyst for the formation of the Church of England was indeed Henry's personal desire for a divorce.