Henry VIII's historical map by Sophie Tardy

Henry VIII's life

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 17:37:52 UTC

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/where-did-king-henry-viii-live-die

Henry VIII's death and succession

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 17:50:01 UTC

Henry passed away at the age of 55.

Henry died on 28th January, 1547.

He is buried in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

His son, Edward VI reigned from 1547 to 1553.

Then, his first daughter, Mary I reigned from 1553 to 1558.

Finally, his second daughter, Elizabeth I reigned from 1559 to 1603.

https://learningapps.org/watch?v=phqgpzyct25

Prison, tortures and executions

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 17:50:24 UTC

Henry VIII was very well known for his executions.

It is thought that over 70,000 people were sadly executed.

There were many reasons for getting executed but some of the main ones were disagreeing with Henry, if you did something illegal or if you betrayed your country.

Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, arrived at the Tower of London in May 1536, accused of adultery and incest.

Anne was found guilty and sentenced to death. As a small mercy, Henry granted her a skilled French swordsman, rather than an axeman. Anne was executed on 19 May with a single blow, and was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower.

A true Renaissance man

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 17:51:13 UTC

Henry VIII is often described as a true Renaissance Man. He was athletic, good looking, intelligent, and educated. He was also an accomplished musician and both played instruments and wrote his own songs. He spoke many languages fluently and loved to read and study. Henry loved art and culture bringing many of the top artists, writers, and philosophers from mainland Europe to his court.

https://learningapps.org/watch?v=p7tup5tt525

#4- Anne of Cleves

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:03:30 UTC

Henry was single for two years after Jane Seymour’s death. But as time passed, the King and his ministers felt that England needed a foreign ally – and so the hunt for a new bride began! Henry sent a talented painter called Hans Holbein to Germany to paint portraits of the Duke of Cleves’ daughters, Anne and Amelia. Anne’s portrait pleased him, and arrangements were made for the pair to wed. But Anne’s arrival in England proved to be a bit of a disaster . Seeing her in person, Henry took an instant dislike to Anne and, finding her ugly, referred to her as “The Mare of Flanders”. Poor Anne! Too late to cancel, their wedding took place 6 January 1540, only for the marriage to be annulled a few weeks later.

#1- Catherine of Aragon

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:04:37 UTC

Henry VIII’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon, daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Eight years before her marriage to Henry in 1509, Catherine was in fact married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur, who died of sickness at just 15 years old. Together, Henry and Catherine had a daughter, Mary – but it was a son that Henry wanted. Frustrated that Catherine seemed unable to produce a male heir to the throne, Henry had their marriage annulled (cancelled) in 1533.

#2- Anne Boleyn

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:06:41 UTC

Anne Boleyn became Henry’s second wife after the pair married secretly in January 1533. By this time, Anne was pregnant with her first child to Henry, and by June 1533 she was crowned Queen of England. Together they had a daughter, Elizabeth – the future Queen Elizabeth I. But, still, it was a son – and future king of England – that Henry wanted. Frustrated, he believed his marriage was cursed and that Anne was to blame. And so, he turned his affections to one of Anne’s ladies-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. And Anne’s fate? Following accusations of numerous crimes, including witchcraft and treason (plotting to kill the king), she was arrested and beheaded. Eek!

#3- Jane Seymour

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:08:25 UTC

On 30 May 1535, King Henry married Jane Seymour. Unlike his previous wives, however, Jane never had a coronation and so was never crowned Queen of England. Some people believe this was because Henry wanted her to provide an heir to the throne first. And in October 1537, the time had finally come – Henry became the proud father of Prince Edward. But the prince came at a price – Jane took ill and died just two weeks after the birth. She was buried in a tomb at Windsor Castle, and would later become the only one of Henry’s six wives to be buried with him.

#5- Kathryn Howard

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:10:27 UTC

Next in line to marry King Henry VIII was young Kathryn Howard – lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves and first cousin to Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. By the time they married in July 1540, Henry was 49 years old, overweight and unable to walk, and Kathryn a lively teenager. Delighted with his new wife, Henry is said to have spoilt Kathryn with gifts and called her his “rose without a thorn”. But trouble lay ahead for Kathryn – two years into their marriage, she was accused of being unfaithful to the king. Her fate..? Beheaded!

#6- Caterine Parr

sophytardy — 2025-01-09 18:11:58 UTC

The last of Henry VIII wives was Catherine Parr. An educated woman who loved to learn new things, Catherine married Henry on 12 July 1543. She proved to be a kind wife who looked after Henry in his sickness, and a good stepmother to the king’s three children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. But yes – you guessed it – she didn’t have it easy with Henry! Her interest in Protestantism (a new religious faith) made her enemies in court – enemies who tried to turn the king against her and have her arrested. Luckily for Catherine, she managed to convince Henry that she was loyal to him and his religion, and was spared execution. Phew! Henry died in 1547, leaving Catherine widowed and free to marry her former love, Thomas Seymour.

https://learningapps.org/watch?v=ppxcqi54t25

An endless war

sophytardy — 2025-01-10 14:48:12 UTC

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/the-field-of-cloth-of-gold/#gs.j4968e

Henry wanted to be like a previous king of England, Henry V, and conquer France.

Henry’s wars with France continued throughout his reign. He also fought wars against Scotland, which was a traditional enemy of England, and France’s ally. Henry’s successive wars were very expensive, and he became desperate for more money.

In 1520, the Field of Cloth of Gold was a meeting to establish peace between England and France following Henry's invasions. However, it had the opposite effect. Instead, it became an opportunity for the rival kings, Henry VIII and Francis I, to show off their wealth and power.

A temporary city with palaces and over 2,000 tents was constructed for the event. Henry's court used twenty-seven ships to get to France, and tensions rose when Francis overpowered Henry to win a wrestling match. Henry invaded France once again in 1522, and he went to war with France several more times over the course of his reign.

https://learningapps.org/watch?v=pm68gjcxa25

Head of the Church of England

sophytardy — 2025-01-10 15:08:36 UTC

Henry VIII created his own church, known as the Church of England.

He broke away from the Catholic church because the Pope wouldn’t allow him to get divorced.

Now that he was the head of the Church of England he was allowed to.

https://learningapps.org/watch?v=pdzwhac8k25