Henry VIII No one English monarch in history can be more famous than Henry VIII. Schoolchildren around the world know of his six wives and their fate, two at the hands of the executioner. There was far more to this king and his reign that is not as familiar though. Henry VIII reigned during the Renaissance period; a period named from the French for re-birth as so many great changes were happening. New ideas were being brought to the arts and sciences and explorers were discovering new lands overseas. England itself was changing from a nation dominated by landowning families into a modern (for that time) state in which parliament played a larger role. The time was one of change, in many more ways than one.

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. [More] Henry's Ascent In 1509 Henry VII died. One of his final wishes being that his son marry Catherine of Aragon. Henry VII still wanted England to be strengthened by an alliance with an imperial Spain, it was only the groom who had changed in his plans. [More] Henry's Court In sharp contrast to the rather dull atmosphere of his father's court Henry VIII delighted in having lively, vibrant people around him. [More] The Six Wives of Henry VIII Love, politics and infatuation were all motives to Henry's six marriages. This page will tell you about each wive in more detail and what fate befell them. [More]

Henry's Early Years Not much is recorded of Henry before the age of 10 but following the death of his previously more prominent brother Arthur more is known [More] Henry at War The political and religious face of Europe in the sixteenth century was very different from that of today. The choice of Henry VII to make Spain an ally was a wise one. France and Scotland, England's two closest neighbours, Wales being united with England, were far from friendly towards the English. [More] Henry's Legacy England was a much changed nation following the reign of Henry VIII. Great palaces, such as Hampton Court, acted as monuments to the king's appetite for pleasure and beauty. [More]