Syphilis and Scurvy: Diagnosing Henry VIII
There is an enduring obsession with understanding the body and mind of Henry VIII, but how sound are diagnoses past and present – and do we need them?
Henry VIII
‘Hunting the Falcon’ by John Guy and Julia Fox review
Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage That Shook Europe by John Guy and Julia Fox is a well-told account that shies away from debate.
‘Fool’ by Peter K. Andersson review
Fool: In Search of Henry VIII’s Closest Man by Peter K. Andersson is the first full length study of William Somer’s life and posthumous mythos.
Gone But Not Forgotten
The Dissolution of the Monasteries is a well-worn tale. Are we getting the whole story?
The Field of Cloth of Gold
Five hundred years ago, in a spirit of rivalry and cooperation, two young Renaissance monarchs asserted their power and authority at one of the last great demonstrations of the chivalric age.
Henry VIII and the Royal Supremacy
The break with Rome set England apart from continental Europe. It was born of personal desires rather than matters of principle.
Predicting the Fall of Anne Boleyn
In his pursuit of Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell was guided by a prophecy foretelling treason.
Everlasting Glory … For a While
Henry VIII's coronation was greeted with a sense of hysterical optimism. As Lauren Johnson shows, it would not last.
Henry VIII: a King Caught on Camera
Was Henry VIII a good-natured buffoon or an egotistical tyrant? Your answer is likely to depend on which cinematic portrayal you have seen most recently.
Thomas Cranmer's Close Shave
Derek Wilson explores the Prebendaries Plot against Henry VIII’s reforming archbishop.