Initially, King Henry VIII responded the Protestant Reformation and pamphlets by Martin Luther with disdain, he was a Catholic monarch supportive of the Pope. However, the Pope's unwillingness to side with Henry and grant an annulment from his wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon, saw King Henry VIII take teachings from the Protestant Reformation and apply them to England's government. King Henry VIII allowed Protestantism by means of the Church of England to spread across his territories, however, this was more in terms of government practice than religious ones leaving many religious practices in line with Catholicism.
Peter the Great was Russian ruler, best known for spearheading extensive reforms of Russia, including the creation of a centralized government and navy. He was the first Russian ruler to go on an educational trip to the West. After his return in 1698, he decided to modernize his country to make Russia a great power.
