Henry had broken away from the Holy See and declared himself the head of the Church in England .
When Pope Clement VII excommunicated the king of England , Henry VIII , in 1533 , the constitutional position of the lordship in Ireland became uncertain .
Henry VIII had broken away from the Holy See and declared himself the head of the Church in England .
When Pope Clement VII excommunicated the king of England , Henry VIII , in 1533 , the constitutional position of the lordship in Ireland became uncertain .