Henry VIII (1491-1547)

### Education

Was well-educated in every aspect of the Renaissance. He was the first English king with a modern humanist education. He was fluent in Latin, French, and English, and owned a library of over 500 books.

### Family

Father: Henry VII of England
Mother: Elizabeth of York

Siblings: one older brother named Arthur, Prince of Wales, five younger siblings, including Margaret Tudor, who was his sister.

Children: Had three children, a son, Edward and, two daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I.

### Weight

Henry VIII's weight fluctuated significantly during his life. At the age of 20 he weighed around 15 stone and had a slim 42-inch waist. However, he is believed to have weighed almost 400 pounds at the time of his death in 1547.

### Religion

Remained committed to an idiosyncratic mixture of Catholicism and Protestantism

### Best Known For

His six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled

## About

Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. He was born on June 28, 1491, at Greenwich Palace, the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Henry became heir to the throne after his elder brother, Arthur, died in 1502. He married his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon, in 1509, but their marriage failed to produce a male heir, and Henry sought a divorce. The Pope's refusal to grant an annulment led to Henry's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. Henry had six wives in total, and his efforts to have his first marriage annulled are what he is best known for. Henry VIII was a patron of the arts and brought many European artists to England, which helped to create a magnificent visual culture at the English court. He is also remembered for his military adventures, including his involvement in the rivalry between the French and Spanish kingdoms over Italian claims. Henry died in London on January 28, 1547, and his son Edward VI succeeded him as king. To some, Henry VIII was a strong and ruthless ruler who forced through changes to the Church-State relationship, which excluded the papacy and brought the English Reformation.

## Early Life and Education

Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491, at Greenwich Palace, near London, England, as the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He spent his childhood in calm and luxury, and received an excellent education. As a child, he studied Latin, Spanish, French, and Greek. He was an intellectual and the first English king with a modern humanist education. He read and wrote English, French, and Latin, and owned a large library. In November 1501, Henry played a considerable part in the ceremonies surrounding his brother Arthur's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the youngest child of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile.

## Career

Henry VIII (1491-1547) became the King of England in 1509 after the death of his father, Henry VII. He spent his childhood in calm and peace, unlike other Tudor monarchs. Henry VIII is known for his six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled. He presided over the beginnings of the English Renaissance and the English Reformation. Henry VIII achieved some success in military adventures, including the winning of the towns of Tournai and Therouanne and the glory of the Battle of the Spurs. He also undertook many building works, creating St James's Palace and the Palace of Nonsuch, and he also appropriated and extended the palaces of Cardinal Wolsey, at Whitehall and Hampton Court. Henry VIII died in London on January 28, 1547, and his son Edward VI became King.

## Personal life

Henry VIII (1491-1547) had a tumultuous personal life, which is best known for his six marriages. His first marriage was to Catherine of Aragon, his brother's widow, which failed to produce a male heir, and Henry sought a divorce. The Pope's refusal led to the break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England. Henry married five more times, and his children succeeded him in turn as Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Henry VIII's court was a splendid one, and he undertook many building works, creating St James's Palace and the Palace of Nonsuch, and he also appropriated and extended the palaces of Cardinal Wolsey, at Whitehall and Hampton Court.

## Relationships

Henry VIII (1491-1547) is known for his six marriages. He fell in love with Anne Boleyn, an attendant of Queen Katharine, and married her after his attempts to make her his mistress were foiled. His first marriage was to Catherine of Aragon, Arthur's widow. Henry's other wives were Anne of Cleves, Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. He had several children, including Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward VI.

## Controversies

Henry VIII's reign was marked by controversies and problems. He persecuted his political rivals and was intent on ensuring that his family line would inherit the throne. Henry VIII's personality changed drastically over time, becoming irascible, intolerant, violent, and tyrannical. It is believed that a serious jousting accident in January 1536 played a major role in his personality change, but letters from that time indicate that the change began insidiously in 1534 and became most drastic in 1535, a year before the accident. Henry VIII's disagreement with Pope Clement VII about annulling his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon led to the English Reformation. His legendary appetite and infamous treatment of two of his wives also contributed to his controversies.

## Awards and legacy

Henry VIII's legacy includes the start of the English Reformation, which was initially triggered not by theological but political reasons. He presided over the beginnings of the English Renaissance. His achievements include the rise of England as a naval nation, the great castles and palaces, and the establishment of the Anglican religion. However, his reign was also marked by his infamous treatment of his six wives.

## Litigation

Henry VIII (1491-1547) was involved in several litigations during his reign as the King of England from 1509 to 1547. One of the most famous litigations was his efforts to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled, which led to his disagreement with Pope Clement VII. Henry VIII's personality change was also a subject of litigation, with some historians arguing that he started out as a good monarch but later became unreasonable and unpleasant. Henry VIII presided over the beginnings of the English Renaissance and the English Reformation. He was also keen on sealing a marital alliance between England and Spain, which led to a treaty between the two countries.