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Well he didn't exactly have a choice in the matter after 1502 when his older brother Arthur died because as the king's only surviving son Henry became heir apparent. So when his father Henry VII died he had to become king, but Henry probably did want to be king as well. There are many possible reasons as to why Henry would have wanted to become king. King's had a huge amount of power in the 16th century and with that relative independence so as a young man that would surely have been appealing to Henry. Essentially being king would give Henry the opportunity to do as he pleased, and in the early years of his reign he did, he could hunt, dance, play music and joust to his heart's content without anyone chastising him and with a band of counsellors eager to do his bidding. He was also an ambitious and egotistical man so being king would also have appealed to him as he was able to invade France on extensive campaigns, with the intent to recreate the great victories of previous kings like Henry V. So overall I supposed the prospect of kingship would have been appealing to Henry purely because of the freedom that came with it.

It was possible however to step down as king.

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9y ago

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