10 Things You Need to Stop Believing About Henry VIII

Think you know everything about Henry VIII? Think again! From the number of wives he had to whether he was a bed-hopping tyrant, there are so many myths surrounding this infamous Tudor king.

In this video, I bust some of the biggest misconceptions about Henry VIII and reveal the truth behind the legend. Was he really a monster? Did he write "Greensleeves"? And what's the real story behind that "Flanders Mare" insult?

Get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew!

#HenryVIII #TudorHistory #MythBusting #HistoryUncovered #TudorSecrets

[HaggisIsGross]

The misunderstanding that Henry wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon. He wanted a church sanctioned annulment! A split hair, but a very important point for a Catholic.

[purrdiggle]

I wish somebody would put together an exhibition of the likenesses of Henry taken during his lifetime in chronological order so we can see which version each wife had.

[Min]

Thank you Claire! I have heard so many people excuse Henry’s behaviour on his jousting accident. My response has always been that he executed his father’s men at the start of his reign, he treated his loving wife of 20 years and his daughter appallingly..keeping them cruelly apart, he had destroyed Wolsey, executed More, Fisher, Prior Houghton and all those Carthusian monks before the jousting accident of 1536.

[akaLaBrujaRoja]

Earlier today, HistoryCalling posted “10 Good Things about Henry VIII”, and now your post is like the next followup chapter! It’s a good day. 😁

[sapphoculloden]

And now I've got this song going through my head ...
I'm Henry the eighth, I am
Henry the eighth, I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth, I am

[CatherineAragon]

He was a bed hopper. He was promiscuous because he committed adultery. Catherine of Aragon was his legitimate wife and he broke his wedding vows repeatedly. Regardless of how many women he slept with, he was still an adulterer. But then, don't mind me. I stand with Catherine of Aragon who was faithful to him and their marriage until her dying day. He was the one who deserves the belief that he was promiscuous. He knowingly broke faith with his wife. He knew that it was wrong, but did it anyway. Anyone who knows the 10 commandments knows that you can't sleep with a woman who is not your wife and not be considered a lecherous man. He was an educated man. Therefore that cannot be used to excuse his actions.

[jamesdellaneve]

I saw Henry’s suit of armor when I last visited. He had a high opinion of his manhood. His codpiece was big enough for a horse.

[alancumming]

Many thanks Claire - especially for highlighting both the 'Flanders mare' myth and the now commonly held belief that Henry
experienced a personality change following his 1536 accident.

[Valicroix]

I was at Westminster Cathedral (Abbey not Cathedral as I was corrected below) in 1972. Things were more civilized back then and tours were given by polite elderly gentlemen. The fellow giving us the tour gave us a little ditty to remember Henry 's wives and I've never forgotten it. Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.

[elizabethwoolnough]

My singing teacher told me that Greensleeves was first played when Henry was about two years old.

[nzmoggy]

That Catherine of Aragon do not give Henry a son. She did but he only lived a couple of weeks plus she had several miscarriages. There was no living male heir which was what Henry was obsessed over but to say Catherine of Aragon did not give Henry a son is inaccurate.

[blackcatzd]

He WAS tyrant and monster. Yes, he wrote poetry and composed music, he was very well educated, athletic and chivalrous. Thomas More was ecstatic when he became king. After his gorgeous granddad E4 Henry was exceptionally good looking and as John Ashodown-Hill wrote about E4, serial monogamist. But as I said, he was tyrant and monster.

[kevinbergin]

0:20 "Number 1" Well, I blame Herman's Hermits and before them Fred Murray, R. P. Weston and Harry Champion-of course.

[leticiagarcia]

Henry was fit and sporty in his youth. I watched a video about 10 things that were good about Henry. On Facebook, YouTube and Instagram people disagree with me about Henry’s head injury. They firmly believe that he wasn’t the same after his head injury. I explain that he didn’t lose consciousness. There’s no documentation about of him losing consciousness. And he was a tyrant before the accident. I even send them links of the Anne Boleyn Files. What I hate the most is when people call me immoral because I admire Anne Boleyn. Some can be vicious. Those I have to ignore for my sake. Thank you Claire. I enjoyed this video.

[loisb.]

Hi Claire, I've been binging on some of your latest videos. Sorry I've been away so long. First started listening to you here in 2010 or 2011. Has been and still is my pleasure. Thank you :)

[kathrynhoward]

Thank you for this video it was brilliant!. In the future could you do a video about the myths of the six queens please x

[schlitzieramone]

One other Henry VIII myth I've heard was that he married Katherine Howard when she was only 14 or 15. She was more likely around 17 years of age (an age difference that was large enough to be remarked upon - Henry was 49 - but not one that meant they were all "oh no, she's a baby!"). People are probably thinking of another Henry, her music teacher Henry Manox, who behaved very inappropriately towards poor Katherine when she was very young.

[dzas]

I think there are a number of myths sorrounding this historical figure that were born not so long ago, due to fiction, both literary and cinematic that popularized Henry VIII's reing among general public. Like the one that he was a victim of a cynical, power-hungry, scheming woman who seduced him and made him to sacrifice everything, from his marriage to his country's well-being in order to win her favors. I see it everywhere, also in materials that seem to be historical and professional at first glance.

[Calla-slgd]

Hi Claire! Good video as ever. This is a small thing, but I've heard/read that H8 built Hampton Court. Obviously, we know that he didn't, but he did have some beautiful work done to the palace. What always intrigues me are the references to our Anne that were missed after her fall. One day, I may put a bucket list together, and you can bet a tour of Hampton Court will be on it. Thanks again for the video!

[janvan]

Wonderful video Claire. It does seem that Henry VIII has been vilified for centuries, and with quite good reason of course. But it was really interesting to think of him in a little different way for a moment. That he was, as you say, a man with varied interests and talents. It's so much easier to recall the bad things in his life, the terrible things he did. But those facts alone do not necessarily define him entirely. As always, enjoy your insights and knowledge. Love to watch your videos. I am an American and I find your accent charming, and soothing to listen to.