the tudors

Henry VIII

For centuries, there has been a long line of monarchs some more popular than others. One of the most popular Kings of England was named Henry VIII. This influential leader with incredible ideas changed England forever.

This controversial leader was born on the 28th June 1491 in Greenwich Palace, his parents were King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Henry was the Kings second son; therefore he was not expected to become king. He had six siblings but only three survived birth: Arthur, Margret and Mary. At school Henry learnt Latin, French and Italian and like his daughter (Queen Elizabeth I ) he was very intelligent.

Tragically, in 1502 Henry's brother (Arthur) died of sweating sickness, just 20 weeks after Arthur's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Consequently, Henry became the Prince of Wales. Only seven years later Henrys father died and Henry inherited the throne. As it was his fathers dying wish that he would marry Catherine of Aragon, Henry did so. During their marriage, they had two boys. Unfortunately they both were stillborn. However, in 1516 they had a baby girl named Mary who would one day become Queen Mary I. Henry decided that they should divorce as many arguments were occurring and she was not able to give him a son. He married a beautiful woman called Anne Boleyn, who he was madly in love with who he also had a child with. The child was named Elizabeth. Only three years after marriage Henry accused Anne Boleyn of having a relationship with another man; she was beheaded. Jane Seymour was Henry's third wife, they also had a child named Edward who became King Edward the VI. Despite this, Jane died soon after Edwards birth. Henry had never met his forth wife before, Anne of Cleves, he hated her and demanded a divorce. His next wife was Katherine Howard, they were only married 18 weeks when she was beheaded; she was accused of having a relationship with another man. Henry's last wife was named Catherine Parr, but she out lived Henry.

During Henry's reign, one of the most major changes he made was starting the Church of England. He did this because in the Catholic faith you were not allowed to divorce and Henry wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon, consequently he made himself the head of the Church of England and divorced her.

Henry sadly died on the 28th January 1547 at the age of 55, as he was obese and had horrible sores on his legs. Henry left a long lasting legacy, the main one was the Church of England.

Ruled 1509 - 1547

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