Henry VII: The Secret Life Of England's Most Sinister Monarch | The Winter King | Timeline

Author Thomas Penn takes an extraordinary journey into the dark and chilling world of the first Tudor, Henry VII. From his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, to his secret death and the succession of his son Henry VIII, this programme reveals the ruthless tactics Henry VII used to win - and cling on to - the ultimate prize, the throne of England. Exploring magnificent buildings and long-lost documents, Penn reveals the true story of this suspicious, enigmatic and terrifying monarch.

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[gregsarnecki]

Somewhat ironic that Henry's dreams of a dynasty in Prince Arthur were destroyed by the sweating sickness that some have attributed to the mercenary army that he used to seize the throne from Richard. Once that victorious army entered London, after Bosworth, it wasn't long before the first major recorded outbreak of 'The Sweat' hit England, killing thousands. It would come back to hit poor and rich alike for the next 66 years, including the twin sons of Henry's son-in-law, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (he who was also the son of Henry's standard bearer at Bosworth!).

[yellow_]

I’m from Pembrokeshire and I live 20 minutes from Pembroke where Henry VII was born. He’s definitely not forgotten here.

[brianmerz]

Thank you for taking me places that I can never go.

[carmenlottner]

As has been alluded to in other comments, his mother's story is even more extraordinary imo.

[nickh]

Always loving these videos, well done lads, looking forward to dive into this one ❤

[MLennholm]

17:53 That painting is of young Henry VIII, not prince Arthur. The painting shown at 48:02 is Arthur. You've got them mixed up.

[christophercasey]

You've discounted the role of Henry's mother in bringing him to the throne and arranging the marriage with Elizabeth.

[judithglasser]

What a super presentation. Totally brings forth the reign and history of Henry VII, fascinating!

[AdmRose]

I’m not sure that Thomas More would agree that Henry VIII was an improvement over Henry VII.

[emilien.]

Wonderfully presented. The lessons of this dynasty resonate both forward and backward in time; a chill ran up and down my spine as I was watching this.

[davehooper]

I love history, to know why things are like they are now, how the people before shaped what legacy we all live In today

[ianmaddams]

I’m not a huge fan of the royal family. But I do like learning the history about them . We can’t change history but can learn from it

[anooshadar]

It’s a shame that Henry VII is overshadowed by his son and grandchildren, if he hadn’t won Bosworth there would have been no tudors

[MsSteelphoenix]

I'm not a fan of the Tudors, but you can't deny that they as a dynasty shaped England (and the UK) for centuries to come.

[t.l.]

What’s with the comments painting Henry & his mother as paragon’s of evil while Richard was this poor martyred saint? Richard had good qualities AND did shady things to take the crown. Margaret & Henry too. They were all ambitious, products of their times.

[elizabethhowe]

Thank you.
I love this period of history.
You have presented each person with his/her own personal wants/desires, yet not giving in to suppositions, or ideas not supported by facts.
Most excellent research and
narration.
Loved it.

[tullochgorum]

I feel that this is a rather miserly account of Henry's achievements. Given the turbulence of the times, his paranoid autocracy was probably unavoidable. The alternative would have been continuing bloody and disruptive civil wars. His son and his grandchildren were equally brutal in securing the throne, so I for one don't judge him too harshly.

But he should also be given credit for modernising the fiscal system, developing commerce and trade, reducing the disruptive power of the nobility and patronising scholarship and the arts. He also largely avoided ruinous entanglements in France.

So he ushered in a period of relative peace and prosperity, creating the foundations of the modern centralised state.

[vernongrant]

I have been saying for years that Henry Tudor is far more a great man in history than his son.
He was the last English King to take the crown in battle.
It's like Edsel Ford being lorded and forgetting about Henry, the father of modern motoring.

[TheHomelessDreamer]

The Tudors were quickly followed by the Fordors and then the Hatchbacks.

[brookelynnwu]

His wife played an important role too, since her claim to the throne was stronger, their marriage strengthened his.