The second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII became heir to the throne on the death of his elder brother, Prince Arthur in 1509. At the outset of his career, Henry was regarded as a glamorous, handsome and chivalrous figure. He is best remembered today for his succession of wives (six in all) whom he married in pursuance of 'The King's Great Matter' - his plan to produce a male heir. Henry was also the centre of a series of dramas played out against the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the creation of the Church of England. By the end, this golden youth had become an obese, tyrannical figure of great cruelty. Henry died in 1547.

The portrait is based on several contemporary paintings, notably a Holbein half-length at Windsor Castle.

He is the handsomest potentate I ever set eyes on; above the usual height, with an extremely fine calf to his leg, his complexion very fair and light, with auburn hair, and a round face so very beautiful that it would become a pretty woman, his throat being rather long and thick.
- Report quoted in Venetian calendar, 1515.

Additional Information on
Henry VIII (b.1491 r.1509-1547)

Henry VII had two sons, but the eldest - Arthur the Prince of Wales - had died in 1502 so on Henry's death the crown passed to his second son Henry. Henry VIII was regarded as a charming and handsome young man who was welcomed by his people. In 1509 he married Arthur's widow, Catherine of Aragon and it seemed he was destined for a happy and successful reign. Henry pursued private pleasures and left the government in the capable hands of his Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey. However, by 1529 Henry had become obsessed with desire for a son as his heir (Catherine failing to produce one), and so he wanted a new wife. Henry claimed his marriage invalid on the grounds that it was forbidden to marry a sibling's widow (he had special permission for his union). But when Wolsey failed to secure the King's divorce from the Pope, Henry charged him with treason. After being excommunicated by the Pope Henry became increasingly autocratic and declared himself to be the 'Supreme Head of the English Church' breaking off ties with Rome completely, and giving himself the permission to divorce his wife. Henry closed the English monasteries and took all their treasures, by the time of his death the exchequer was bankrupt.

Henry is best remembered for his succession of wives in his quest to produce a male heir. After his twenty year marriage to Catherine of Aragon proved fruitless, Henry had it annulled in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Anne was executed on a charge of high treason and his third wife Jane Seymour whom he genuinely loved, died giving him the son he craved - Edward VI (the only male heir to survive). His marriage to Anne of Cleves was never even consummated and his fifth wife Catherine Howard lost her head for being unfaithful to him. Catherine Parr, his sixth wife was seen by Henry as an ideal step mother to his children.

When older, Henry became grossly overweight, riddled with disease and displayed a cruel and tyrannical streak.

QUOTATIONS

The King has a way of making every man feel that he is enjoying his special favour, just as the way the London wives pray before the images of Our Lady by the Tower till each of them believes it is smiling upon her.
- Sir Thomas More, letter to Bishop John Fisher, 1518.

The king put off our discussion until another time, as he was in a hurry to go and dine and dance afterwards. In this he does wonders and leaps like a stag.
- The Milanese Ambassador, 1513.

Henry never spared a man his anger, nor a woman in his lust.
- Robert Nauton, Fragmenta Regalia, 1641.