She was the daughter of Tudor King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. The king broke England from the authority of the Roman Catholic Church to dissolve his marriage with his first wife, who had his first daughter, Mary. The king hoped that his second wife would give birth to a male heir, but the birth of Elizabeth weakened the new queen's position. Anne Boleyn was beheaded when Elizabeth was nearly 3 years old, because of adultery and treason. The king's second marriage was declared invalid, thus making Elizabeth illegitimate. Henry VIII treated all his children the same and even declared Elizabeth third in line to the throne. Elizabeth received education normally only given to male heirs. After King Henry died in 1947, Elizabeth's 10-year-old half-brother ruled until his death in 1553, then, ignoring Edward's will, Mary, accessed to the throne, and Elizabeth was imprisoned for nearly a year on suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels. In 1558 upon Mary's death, Elizabeth succeeded her half-sister to the throne. During her reign, Elizabeth established an English Protestant Church, of which she was the supreme governor. After her death, she was succeeded by her first cousin, James VI of Scotland. (James I of England)