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By the Tudor period (1485-1603) it was normal for English Kings to speak English as their everyday language, and generally all governmental business was conducted in English.

The kings & ruling elite of England stopped using French on an everyday basis during the so-called "Hundred Years' War" (1337-1453) with France, mainly to differentiate themselves/ their realm from their French opponents, & to promote themselves as distinctly English rulers/ war leaders. It's no coincidence that the first great writer in a recognisable form of modern English - Geoffrey Chaucer (?1340-1400) - emerged during this period, a time when a distinct English (as opposed to Anglo-French/ Anglo-Norman, or Germanic "Old English", ie Anglo-Saxon) identity was developing fast.

So, Henry VIII's first language (his "native tongue") was English: he was raised speaking it, & ruled over an Anglophone court. He was also a fluent French speaker, & had a good working knowledge of Italian. He was also fluent in Latin & had some knowledge of Classical Greek, reflecting not only his Humanist/ Renaissance education, but also the fact that as the second son, his father, Henry VII, had intended him to have a career in the Church. Additionally, Henry could sight read music & compose scores, & played the lute & harpsichord very well.

The young Henry VIII cut a very impressive figure - handsome & athletic; powerfully built, well over six feet tall (at a time when the average male was about 5'6"); adept in the martial arts (swordsmanship, Wrestling, Archery, jousting etc); an excellent dancer with a rich singing voice, and able to converse meaningfully with leading scholars on history & literature, law, philosophy, politics, theology & religion. He could do this equally well in English, French & Latin, & to some extent Italian! A "perfect prince" indeed: shame he turned out to be a monstrously egomaniacal tyrant as well - the "English Stalin"!?

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Wiki User

13y ago
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Wiki User

12y ago

he spoke German french itallian and swedish.and posibly English

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Wiki User

12y ago

latin

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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

FRENCH

SPANISH

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Q: What language was the bible with Henry VIII?
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