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Henry VIII is second only to his daughter, Elizabeth I, as the best known monarch in English history. Henry has been featured in some 18 films since the 1920s, and currently the subject of a Showtime dramatic series, The Tudors. The details of his life, both private and public, are VERY well documented and known.
Henry was certainly a tyrant. He was without a doubt a devoted student of Machiavelli. Well before the doctrine of "The Divine Right of Kings" had become an accepted political reality, Henry made himself an absolute king; ruling with little regard for advice from his courtiers or Parliament Any who stood in his way suffered greatly; often with their lives.
Henry was a strong-willed and single-minded king. He spent his life and long reign as king in the pursuit of female companionship; and in securing a male heir to continue the Tudor dynasty. Secondary to these dual obsessions was his desire for wealth and temporal glory; and the establishment and maintenance of his absolute power.
Anyone or any institution that stood in the way of these goals; or any other whim of Henry's was ground beneath his iron will.
To secure a male heir and marry the woman he desired, he tore England away from allegiance from the Catholic faith; though the vast majority of his subjects were loyal to that faith. In so doing, he condemned England to nearly a century of religious upheavals; both within and without his court and dynasty.
To his credit, Henry can be considered the father of the British navy; starting the shipbuilding program that would continue under Elizabeth I, and during her reign save England from Spanish invasion and almost certain conquest.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoKing Henry 2nd was a horrible king because he wanted to control the church, he killed the archbishop so he could put his friend Thomas Becket as archbishop, but Becket cared for Canterbury so King Henry killed him.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoEverybody that answered is talking about Henry the eighth not Henry the second. I don't think that he was nice because of him Thomas Becket got killed
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Who was a bad King Henry VII or Henry VIII?
Henry VII wasn't a good defender, and he wasn't a very nice person either. Henry VIII was a good King, and looked after England well, but was a womanizer and wasn't very nice to his wives.
Did King Henry VIII have King Henry the 7 as a brother?
No, King Henry VII was King Henry VIII's father.
The Crusade of Kings was led by?
king Henry VIII
Who was capricious English king who tired of five of his six wives?
The Capricious King Was King Henry VIII who tied of five of his six wives.
Who was the father of queen Elisabeth 1?
King Henry VIII. Her mother was Queen Anne Boleyn.
A sentence for King Henry VIII?
Here is a sentence for King Henry VIII. King Henry was the son of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII of England.
Who is responsible for the the formation of the Anglican church?
King Henry VIII of England.
When was King Henry VIII School Abergavenny created?
King Henry VIII Grammar School was created in 1542.
What did king Henry VIII of England do in 1900 regarding Ireland?
King Henry VIII died in 1547.
What is the name of king Henry VIII's 18th wife?
King Henry VIII only has six wifes!
Who was King Henry the VIII 3rd wife?
King Henry VIII's third wife was Jane Seymour.
Where did Henry VIII come from?
Henry VIII was the king of England in the 1500's
