Abdication Crisis
(UK) This crisis in the British establishment was provoked by King
Edward VIII's
desire to marry a twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson. He made this announcement to senior politicians and churchmen on 16 November 1936. Prime Minister
Baldwin
, the Cabinet, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Cosmo Lang), and the Dominions' representatives were all vehemently opposed to passing the special legislation necessary, partly on the grounds that marriage to a divorcee would be inconsistent with the King's role as head of the Church ...