Henry VIII - Introduction by Damian Lewis

Henry VIII never expected to reign, and like so many second

Sons he was given a freedom not given to the heir. But on

The death of his brother Arthur, he was thrust into kingship

School by his authoritarian father, Henry VII. His early

Years fulfilled his warrior ambitions, winning battles in France

And Scotland. Six marriages and the creation of the Church

Of England point to a monarch who was less than conventional

Succeeding to the throne in 1509 at the age of 17, he married his

Brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon. The well-known split with

Rome and the subsequent Reformation was a direct result of divorce

From Catherine. Then followed the other five wives: Anne Boleyn

Executed, Jane Seymour died, Anne of Cleves divorced, Katherine

Howard beheaded, and finally Katherine Parr, who outlived him

A man of many parts, associated with the field of the cloth of gold

Music and scholarly pursuits, and a strong defence of Christian

Piety. Juxtapose this with his love of jousting

Hunting, tennis, and in his younger days an athletic

Prowess that was the talk of Europe, and you understand

Why Henry VIII was such a force in our island's history

When Henry died, in January 1547, he was 55 years

Old and boasted a Falstaffian girth of 54 inches