King Henry VIII (1491-1547)
Henry VII receiving a manuscript (centre), whilst a young Henry VIII cries over the death of his mother (top left)
Henry VIII's death bed
April 21st 1509: Henry VIII becomes King
On this day in 1509, upon the death of King Henry VII, his son Henry VIII ascended to the English throne aged seventeen; his coronation took place in June of the same year. Henry’s father had been the first King of the Tudor dynasty, a line that continued until 1603 with the death of Elizabeth I. Henry VIII is best remembered for his six marriages, as he sought to produce a male heir, which ended in two divorces (Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves), two executions (Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard), and one natural death (Jane Seymour). Henry’s rule is also marked by his efforts to separate the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, a split which originated in Henry’s desire to divorce, which contradicted Catholic doctrine. The animosity between the King and the Pope in Rome saw Henry lead the dissolution of English monasteries, and establish the monarch as head of the Church of England. While often portrayed as a despot, the king was indeed an accomplished scholar and generous patron of the arts; though it is now believed that he did not compose the famous tune ‘Greensleeves’ which is commonly attributed to him. Henry was King until his death in London in January 1547 aged 55, which some historians have attributed to the King’s obesity. Upon his father’s death, the young Edward VI became King, but his premature death aged fifteen sparked a secession struggle between his cousin and Henry’s daughters.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário