Henry's Family History

Henry was born the son of Henry Tudor of the House of Lancaster. His father was of Welsh stock and led the Lancastrian force against King Richard III, from the House of York, during the Wars of the Roses. It was on Bosworth Field that the Red Rose of Lancaster stood triumphant and Henry Tudor was pronounced King Henry VII of England.

Before the battle Henry had promised that if he won he would marry Elizabeth of York uniting the two great houses. Being as weary of war as the rest of England he kept his promise and the couple married. Together they had seven children. The future Henry VIII was the second son born to them, on 28th June 1491.

Henry VII proved to be a strong and able king. He wanted to leave his first son, Arthur, a secure kingdom with no rivals to the throne. He shrewdly realised that if he formed an alliance with Spain the throne would be doubly protected. These were the days when alliances were made through marriages and Henry VII arranged for Arthur to marry the Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon. Sadly the marriage did not last very long as Arthur died in the winter of 1501, just a few months after the wedding. In this way the heir to the throne became 10-year-old Henry.