What action did Henry VIII take against the Catholic Church after his excommunication?

Henry VIII's decision to seize church properties and lands was a direct response to his excommunication from the Catholic Church in 1533. Following his break with the Church, primarily motivated by his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, Henry established the Church of England, effectively removing papal authority from England.

By confiscating monastic properties and lands, he aimed to strengthen the financial foundation of his new church while weakening the influence of Catholicism in England. This move not only enriched the Crown but also gave him greater control over religious practices and institutions. It marked a significant shift in the religious landscape of England, as lands that were previously held by the Catholic Church were redistributed to loyal supporters of the king, fostering a new class of Protestant gentry aligned with the royal interests. Through these actions, Henry VIII firmly set England on a path of religious and political transformation that was pivotal during the Reformation era.