Henry VIII's major exploits during his reign over England from 1509 to 1547 included the Field of the Cloth of Gold and the Reformation of the English Church. The only reason for these actions is said to be love and appears to be linked to the king's obsession with a male heir, but other factors were involved. Key among these is the influence of his family in the early years of his life. Other reasons are also possible, such as general insecurities and competitiveness with other royal houses. To say that Henry VIII's major efforts during his reign were motivated by his obsession with a male heir is not entirely accurate as other, more workable explanations are available. The influence of Henry VIII's family on important actions during his reign is largely overlooked. in many cases. It is believed that Henry VIII's actions were due to his obsession with a male heir, but this obsession can also be attributed to his family. Henry's father, Henry VII, was known to use his sons to "secure his position by negotiating a series of marriages with other royal houses" and so, naturally, Henry did the same. Henry VII's lack of interest in his son's activities may have created insecurities that would influence Henry VIII's decisions later in life. Henry was also kept quiet and contained in the early years of his life, as "the heir was now confined to his father's court where he could be protected from disease, accident and conspiracy". This may have caused his need for attention. After his father's death, Henry developed an Oedipus complex which remained until his death, as Derek Wilson states: "he insisted, he had proved himself a better king, surpassing even Henry VII in Christian piety". Furthermore, his......middle of paper......gno although in many circumstances, such as the reformation of the church, was initiated with the intention of creating a male heir. The very need for a male heir stems from another, deeper psychological problem with the father and family which is, it seems, the real reason for all the major strivings of Henry VIII's reign. The need for his father's approval and the need to surpass him and his brother was the true motivation of the enterprises of Henry's time, in certain circumstances it combines with competitiveness with other royal houses, as with France in the field of drapery gold, or insecurity, lust and the need to create the family atmosphere he never had. But in any case his family's influence reigns supreme and so to claim that Henry VIII's greatest efforts during his reign were motivated by his obsession with a male heir is largely untrue..