[Martin Tell]

Depends on what you mean by "on the up and up." Certainly it was no more irregular than the annulments Kennedys and other well-connected RCs get today.

The Pope's decision not to give Henry an annulment was political as was Henry's decision to split from Rome.

I was Anglican for almost 30 years; my decision to leave was not based on political events of 500 years ago.

[donmeaker]

I would agree, if Henry had not applied for a dispensation to marry Catherine, which was granted.

Because of the dispensation, the request for an annulment was rather more than a usual annulment.

Catherine had been engaged to Henry's brother, which was why a dispensation was needed.

Full Disclosure: I got a dispensation to marry my first wife who was also my first cousin. That may be part of the reason why I am now of no religion.