Tudor Britain - Henry VIII

1. Henry VIII was born at Greenwich on 28th June 1491.

2. He was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, and became king in 1509.

3. In his youth Henry was athletic and highly intelligent.

4. Henry was a tall, handsome, powerfully-built young man with clear, pale skin and bright golden hair.

5. Henry particularly enjoyed jousting and other sports.

6. He was an accomplished player of many musical instruments and wrote music and poetry.

7. In 1521, Henry VIII was given the title "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope.

8. This was because Henry VIII had written for writing a best-selling book supporting the Catholic faith.

9. Henry’s life was largely shaped by his desire to have a son and to this end he married six times.

10. Henry’s first wife was his brother’s widow, Katherine of Aragon.

11. Despite many pregnancies she failed to produce a living son.

12. Henry divorced Katherine to marry Anne Boleyn, who also failed to produce a son, and was beheaded.

13. Jane Seymour, his third wife did produce a son, but died shortly after.

14. Henry VIII’s subsequent marriages to Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr were all childless.

15. During his reign Henry VIII closed all the monasteries in the country and created an entirely new church.

16. He established a reputation for himself as one of the most famous, and perhaps most cruel kings of all time.

17. n old age, Henry became increasingly sick, unreasonable and bad-tempered.

18. He was nursed by his sixth wife Katherine Parr, who outlived him.

19. He was troubled by ulcers in his legs and had to be carried around in a litter.

20. Henry VIII died in London in 1547.

21. His son Edward VI was declared king, but died young.

22. For all Henry’s concern about establishing a dynasty his six marriages had produced one sickly son and two princesses

22. None of Henry VIII’s children produced any heirs of their own.