Henry Viii (1491-1547), King of England

Henry VIII (1491-1547), King of England was a formidable man and one of the most important monarchs in the history of his country. He was responsible fort he English church’breach with Rome, the dissolution of the English monasteries, and the establishment of national Church of England. He also the husband of six wives an the father of Queen Elizabeth, who was one of the most important monarch at the   Tudors time.                                                          

Henry was born in the royal palace at Greenwich, near London, on June 28, 1491. he was the second son of King Henry VII and Elizabeth, daugther of Edward IV. On the death of his elder brother, Arthur, in April 1502 he became heir to the throne. He was not only invested with his brother title of Prince of Wales but also, married his brother widow, Catherina of Aragon, thereby moving closer to the Continental politics in which Spain, France and the Holy Roman Empire maneuvered for power.

                                        Personality and and character

Henry made a favorable impression because of his vigirous physical appearance and his intellectual gifts. Physically he was above average height, enormously strong and of great courage. He had had an excellent education in classical studies, theology, music, and manly sports. He was educated by the poet laureate John Skelton and that he was enthusiastic about jousting, tilting and other sports. He drew the best long-bow of his age and he could defeat the tallest archers in his own guard. He was an accomplished player of tennis and he was strenuous rider to hounds, able to tire out eight or ten horses in the course of a day’hunting, mounting one after the other as they were exhausted. He could speak French, Italian, Latin.

He possessed sufficient determination, self –assurance, political shrewdness to ensure that the conduct of public life in his kingdom. He always reained control of direction of policy and was full able to assume the...