Today is the 529th anniversary of the birth of Henry VIII

[Siwsan]

My fascination with Henry started when I was still a pre-teen and learned that he, like me, was of Welsh descent. I've read countless biographies and even a few fictional books about Henry. When I was in England, I made it a point to visit many sites connected to his reign and stood, for a bit of meditation, at his tomb. I know all of the 'pros' and the even more abundant 'cons' about the man. Keeping historical perspective, that doesn't make him less worth of my fascination. And, no matter what, he did help give the world Elizabeth I who is, hands down, my personal historical 'hero'. She actually did speak Welsh, btw.

But I digress. I'll drink a bit of Mead to Henry's memory, today.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. Spending the day at Hampton Court in 2015

Last edited Sun Jun 28, 2020, 04:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Was totally amazing. I could feel the ghost of Catherine Howard running down the hall to plead with Henry for her life. I felt her spirit and that of her cousin Anne Boleyn when at the Tower of London.

[Siwsan]

3. Same here!

I used to go to early Sunday services at St Peter ad Vincula, in the Tower of London. It was an experience to know I was sitting just meters from the burial place of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

Hampton Court is absolutely wonderful. One time we took the river trip to the palace. It is my favorite way to visit, that's for sure.

And to see Henry's armor - the vast expanse that took place from his youth to his, umm, maturity. (Admittedly, I don't remember if that was displayed at Hampton Court or the Tower of London.)

[DBoon]

2. I will sing a song in his memory

[Siwsan]

5. HAHA!

Henry was actually a pretty good writer of verse and song. Of course, though, given his Welsh bloodline. Nah, I'm not biased.

[Wolf Frankula]

12. NO SAM!

n/t

Wolf

[Freedomofspeech]

4. I am a direct descendent of Mary Bolen...

His favorite "whore". My grandmother many, many, many times removed...

[Siwsan]

6. Wow!

Mary was the one I always felt so sorry for - her father, Thomas Boleyn, was a real cad.

I've found a bit of evidence that we might be descended from Rhys ap Thomas, one of the men who killed Richard III. My father's cousin did some deep research into the family tree and found an authenticated family crest in our history. It's pretty much a dead on match for Rhys'. So, who knows. I do so love the possibility.

[Freedomofspeech]

8. I was shocked when I found this relationship from my Father's side of the family.

Another note from my Mother's side of the family...my Great Grandfather was in the Union Army and was standing outside the Ford Theater when President Lincoln was shot. He had to testify at the hearing of the co-conspirators. I was able to find a book on Ebay with his testimony in it. He later worked for the government as a Counterfeit Detective. Unfortunately I do not have a rich ancestors!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

7. Lettice Knollys was a Great Niece of Anne's

Grandaughter of Mary Boleyn through her daughter Catherine, attendant to Elizabeth I, then later married to Lord Robert Dudley.

I have read tons of books on the Howards, Boleyns, and Tudors. Our Tour guide at the Tower was impressed with my knowledge of British History when I showed him photos on my phone of my Elizabethan costuming work. More examples can be found at my Flickr page
www.flickr.com/photos/kathy0552/albums.

[Siwsan]

9. I've had some lovely conversations with the Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London

It was one of them who tipped me off about getting into the Tower for the Sunday service. I didn't go so much for the religious experience, as I did for the historical one.

I once joined my brother and his wife as 'performers' at a Renaissance Faire, in Southern California. Uncharastically, I went as a 'wench'. Holy Cow that was an uncomfortable costume! However, I looked quite fetching as a wench.

I've got your page up, now, and can't wait to check it out!!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. My favorite Henry VIII factoid:

His father, Henry VII was born January 28, 1457.

Son, Henry VIII, died exactly 90 years later, January 28, 1547.

[Grins]

11. Other perspective...

Henry had a lot of heads chopped off, Thomas More’s being one of them, because they wouldn’t bend to the marriage or the Acts of Supremacy.

I never knew how many Henry had put to death. My history never got much past Sir Thomas, but it went on for years.

And then one day a history buff, probably one much like yourself, of that period told me: about 70,000!

Me: “What?? Really?”

Yup. That they know of!

I guess that’s one way to get your religion straight.

[Siwsan]

14. Not all were beheaded. Some got much, much worse

Drawn and quartered, for example. It's hard to imagine a more gruesome way to go. Probably equal to being burned at the stake.

As to beheadings, Margaret Pole, the Countess of Shrewsbury, made the executioner work for his money because she REFUSED to lay her neck on the block. It took around 11 blows before she finally succumbed to the King's command.

Henry's eldest daughter was known as 'Bloody Mary', due to the frequency of her ordered executions.

[MFM008]

13. the Tudors

are my total fascination.
Have been since I was a kid.....



He wanted a son, yet the greatest ruler of England wasnt a man....IMHO

[whistler162]

15. Just for his birthday