What is the Act of Succesion?

The Act of Succession is a significant piece of legislation enacted by the Parliament of England in 1534 during the reign of King Henry VIII. It declared the legitimacy of the children born of Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn, asserting their claim to the English throne while declaring his marriage to Catherine of Aragon invalid. This act also required subjects to recognize Anne's children as heirs and to reject the authority of the Pope in matters of succession. Ultimately, it played a crucial role in the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.