1. AQA A Level History Paper 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603
Click to play Pastime With Good Company by Henry VIII
Henry VIII

2. The aim of this lesson is to answer these questions:
What sort of leader was the young king Henry VIII?
What were his first actions on becoming king?
How did he continue his father’s legacy, and how did he depart from it?
Historians understand the past by asking questions.

3. How is Henry VIII remembered today?

4. What was Henry like as a young king?
When you know what a hero he now shows himself, how wisely he behaves, what a lover he is of justice and goodness, what affection he bears to the learned I will venture to swear that you will need no wings to make you fly to behold this new and auspicious star. Oh, my Erasmus, if you could see how all the world here is rejoicing in the possession of so great a prince…you could not contain your tears for joy…Avarice is expelled from the country. Liberality scatters wealth with bounteous hand. Our King does not desire gold or gems or precious metals, but virtue, glory and immortality.“ Lord Mountjoy writing to his former tutor Erasmus, May 27, 1509.

5. What was Henry like as a young king?
When you know what a hero he now shows himself, how wisely he behaves, what a lover he is of justice and goodness, what affection he bears to the learned I will venture to swear that you will need no wings to make you fly to behold this new and auspicious star. Oh, my Erasmus, if you could see how all the world here is rejoicing in the possession of so great a prince…you could not contain your tears for joy…Avarice is expelled from the country. Liberality scatters wealth with bounteous hand. Our King does not desire gold or gems or precious metals, but virtue, glory and immortality.“ Lord Mountjoy writing to his former tutor Erasmus, May 27, 1509.

6. What was Henry like as a young king?
Read Source A (Ferriby p.42). Match as many as you can of the qualities below to the Venetian Ambassador’s description of Henry.
Tall and good-looking (took after his mother’s side of the family!) with red-gold hair.
Well-educated – a Renaissance prince.
Athletic and keen on sports.
Pious (devoted to religion).
Chivalrous (honourable and romantic, like the knights and princes in fairy tales).
Keen on military glory.

7. Early life and education
Read ”Early life of Prince Henry” (Ferriby p.41)
How well did Henry’s early life and education prepare him for kingship?
Prayer book illustration thought to show Henry mourning his mother’s death in 1503, with his sisters nearby

8. Early life and education
Not the eldest son (the spare not the heir) – expected to be an archbishop not a king.
Became heir to the throne at age eleven on death of his brother Arthur (1502).
He then lived at Richmond Palace under the close supervision of his father and grandmother.
Not given responsibilities to prepare him for day-to-day duties of ruling: “unseasoned and untrained in the exacting art of kingship” (J.J. Scarisbrick)

9. Early life and education
Educated to be a Renaissance Prince.
Studied scripture, classics, history, astronomy, mathematics, music, gentlemanly pursuits (e.g. riding, hunting, good manners) and sports (e.g. archery, tennis, jousting).
Aspired to follow the code of chivalry developed by the 15th c Dukes of Burgundy, whose court was famous for its style and culture.
Intellectually gifted with an analytical eye for detail.
Brought up to rule in the interests of his dynasty and country.