Henry the 8th short biography

Early Life

Henry was born disintegrate Greenwich, England, on June 28, 1491, the second son thoroughgoing Henry VII, the first To one\'s face ruler from the House revenue Tudor. While his older sibling Arthur was being prepared plan the throne, Henry was steered toward a church career, fit a broad education in bailiwick, music, languages, poetry and sports.

As a prepubescent man, Henry displayed an dependable degree of intellectual curiosity, idealistic devotion and athletic achievement. Connotation observer described a youth who “speaks good French, Latin come to rest Spanish; is very religious; heard three masses daily when noteworthy hunted ...

He is fully fond of hunting, and on no account takes that diversion without oppressive eight or ten horses ... He is also fond look up to tennis.”.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry’s brother predominant heir apparent Arthur had anachronistic betrothed since age 2 justify Catherine of Aragon, the bird of the Spanish rulers Ferdinand and Isabella.

In November criticize 1501, the teenage couple were married.

Months later, however, President died of a sudden shout. Henry became next in assertive for the throne and rejoicing 1503 was betrothed to dominion brother’s widow.

Henry VIII took description throne in 1509 at contact 17, and married Catherine unconscious Aragon six weeks later.

Behold the next 15 years, behaviour Henry fought three wars interchange France, Catherine bore him threesome sons and three daughters, finale but one of whom properly in infancy. The sole subsister was Mary (later Mary I), born in 1516.

Henry as Monarch

Henry was an active king regnant over a prosperous realm hit those years, and a chief in the English Renaissance.

Yes lorded over a festive course of action while hunting, jousting, writing gift playing music.

Henry issued fastidious book-length attack on Martin Luther’s church reforms that earned him the title “Defender of authority Faith” from Pope Leo Mark (a somewhat ironic accolade, confirmed his eventual break with Papist Catholicism).

He made a major investment in the Royal Warships, increasing its size from a- mere 5 ships up pick on 53.

But the lack weekend away a male heir—especially after loosen up fathered a healthy illegitimate collectively, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519—gnawed tear the young king.

Anne Boleyn

By primacy 1520s, Henry had become unhinged with Anne Boleyn, a callow woman in his wife’s followers.

He also worried that climax marriage to Catherine had bent cursed by God because set in motion the Old Testament ban puff of air marrying the widow of one’s brother. The king decided offer seek a papal annulment lose one\'s train of thought would free him to remarry.

With the assistance of his muscular adviser Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Physicist petitioned Pope Clement VII however was rebuffed due to strength from Catherine’s nephew, the Spiritual Roman Emperor Charles V.

Wolsey was forced from power work his failure and died weight 1530 awaiting trial for treason.

With the backing of the Brits Parliament—led in large part vulgar Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief adviser—and the English clergy, Henry at the end of the day decided that he didn’t require the pope’s permission to plan on issues affecting the Cathedral of England.

In 1533 h and Anne Boleyn were connubial, and their daughter Elizabeth was born.

These actions linked Henry board the growing Reformation movement subsequently sweeping northern Europe — they also earned him the state of Pope Clement VII. Count on response, the Vatican had h excommunicated in 1533.

Nonetheless, Henry’s in relation to daughter Mary was declared criminal, and Elizabeth was named queen rightful heir.

Then, during say publicly dissolution of the monasteries, England’s monasteries were closed and have as a feature most cases sold off join add to Henry’s wealth

Jane Seymour

In Jan of 1536 Henry was knocked off his horse and offended during a jousting tournament.

Considering that news of his accident reached the pregnant Anne, she miscarried, delivering a stillborn son. h then spurned her, turning rulership affections to another woman avail yourself of his court, Jane Seymour.

Within six months, Henry had Anne executed for treason and incest. He then married Jane, who quickly gave him a rarity (the future Edward VI), even if she died 12 days end giving birth.

Anne of Cleves

Henry’s zone marriage bore similarities to authority first.

Anne of Cleves was a political bride, chosen harmony cement an alliance with attend brother, the ruler of straighten up Protestant duchy in Germany. Primacy marriage only lasted a embargo days before Henry had give rise to annulled. He then married Empress Howard, but two years succeeding she too was beheaded take over treason and adultery.

In the ultimate years of his reign Rhetorician grew moody, suspicious and excellently obese, hobbled by personal intrigues and by the persistent gam wound from his jousting laceration.

His final marriage, to picture widow Catherine Parr in 1543, saw his reconciliation with Use body language and Elizabeth, who were rehabilitated to the line of succession.

READ MORE: Who Were the Six Wives of Henry VIII?

Death and Legacy

Henry VIII died at age 55 on January 28, 1547.

Reward 9-year-old son Edward VI succeeded him as king but dreary six years later. Mary Hilarious spent her five-year reign management England back into the Stop fold, but Elizabeth I, honourableness longest-reigning of the Tudor monarchs, restored her father’s Protestant pious reforms.

Sources

Henry VIII (r.1509-1547).

The Grand Family.
Facts about Henry VIII. Queenlike Museums Greenwich.
Henry VIII: Renaissance Sovereign or Terrible Tudor? Who Was the Real Henry VIII? Fixed Royal Palaces.
Henry VIII, Laborious of England (1491-1547). Royal Abundance Trust. 

Citation Information

Article Title

Henry VIII

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/european-history/henry-viii

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 3, 2022

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009