@P E Dant,
I have to disagree with Henry VIII. He was an autocratic, he didn't need to appeal to people's prejudices to enact laws he could do it anyway. And there were numerous rebellions against his rule, not usually a mark of populist leadrrs.
He used movements like protestantism to his own advantage, but never embraced it.
I know you didn't put him up, but yours was the last post.