Henry VIII: Consolidation - Character

Question 1

When was Henry VIII born?

Answer 1

• Henry was born at Greenwich on 28 June 1491

Question 2

When did Henry become King?

Answer 2

• 21 April 1509 - death of Henry VII
• 22 June 1509 - coronation of King Henry and Queen Catherine

Question 3

What was Henry VIII like when he became king?

Answer 3

• Henry was 17 years old
• He was athletic, intellectual, musical and fashionable
• Had traits of a Renaissance prince
• Confident and charismatic

Question 4

What is an ideal Renaissance prince like?

Answer 4

• Renaissance was a period of ‘new learning’ and thinking
• Rediscovered classical studies and explored mathematical, scientific, theological, historical, cultural and philosophical thinking
• Henry had a humanist education
• Renaissance prince was educated, courteous, poetic, well dressed, athletic and eloquent

Question 5

Was Henry VIII prepared to be king?

Answer 5

• Henry was eleven when his older brother Arthur died on 2 April 1502 - Henry becomes heir to the throne
• Henry was not sent to Ludlow Castle to learn the arts of government like Arthur was
• Henry VII had not secured Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon - would only secure it if it brought diplomatic advantage to England
• Henry not trained in day-to-day-business of a king
• But Henry was well-educated and fluently spoke French and Latin and spoke well in Spanish and Italian

Question 6

What were Henry VIII’s skills?

Answer 6

• Intellectual
• Sports - hunting, tennis, jousting
• Music - composed, sang, played several instruments like the lute
• He could dance
• Spoke French, Latin, Spanish and Italian
• Graceful and had a regal presence