King Henry VIII

Through out history there have been thousands of Kings, both loved and feared, but none as famous or infamous as King Henry VIII. Through the duration of his life King Henry affected millions of lives and changed history forever. Born the youngest of seven siblings, only three of which survived infancy, Henry had to live constantly neglected while all attention focused on his older brother Arthur, Prince of Wales. Arthur was engaged to Spanish Royal, Catherine of Aragon till he died and Catherine was then married to Henry who was crowned King. Two days after his coronation as King, Henry beheaded two of his father’s ministers by charging them with “high treason” against the King. It is at this point that the legacy of King Henry VIII really begins.

Shortly after his marriage to Catherine of Aragon the King commences an affair with the famous Mary Boleyn, one of the Queen’s Ladies-in-waiting. As Catherine failed to conceive an heir he continued to distance himself from the Queen. His affair resulted in the pregnancy of his second son, also dubbed a bastard. While Mary lied-in with child his attention now moved to Anne Boleyn, Mary’s sister.

Fearful she would be abandoned like her sister Anne forced King Henry to annul the marriage and divorce Catherine. This required approval from the Pope which Catherine’s cousin and Spanish Royal made sure was not given. This caused Henry to remove himself from the Catholic Church and create a new Church called the Church of England. He viciously persecuted anyone who did not acknowledge him as Supreme Head of Church of England. Including his own tutor whom he executed as an example.

In June 1533 Anne Boleyn was crowned queen and three months later she gave birth to Princess Elizabeth II, destined to become the first ruling queen of England. Still King Henry was convinced that a daughter would not suffice and a male heir was necessary. Anne conceived a male heir however she miscarried in January 1536. This caused Henry to declare the marriage a result of witchcraft which was founded on the rumors that she had an extra finger on her left hand, a mole on her pinky, and a third breast.

Five men were convicted of treason on accounts of sleeping with the Queen, including Anne’s own brother who, ironically, is now believed to have had an affair with Anne’s male friend Mark Smeaton. Anne was executed a few weeks later for “high treason.” Just before her death the executioner read off her  ”treasons” which included witchcraft, incest, treason and adultery. One day after Anne’s death the King announced his engagement to former Lady-in-waiting as Jane Seymour. And so the cycle continued…