Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491, at Greenwich Palace, the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His early life was marked by the privileges of royalty, receiving a comprehensive education that prepared him for kingship.
“Pastime with good company I love and shall, until I die. Grudge who list, but none deny; so God be pleased, thus live will I.”
— Henry VIII
Henry VIII wrote this song early in his reign, likely around 1513. The original manuscript survives in the Henry VIII Songbook at the British Library. Henry was an accomplished musician who composed both lyrics and music.
I wrote this song when I was young and the crown sat lightly. I loved music, hunting, jousting, and theology. I composed over thirty songs and could play the lute, organ, and virginals. I was the prince everyone wanted to be. Athletic, educated, charming. The court was a party and I was the center of it. I believed I would be remembered for my learning and my music. Instead they remember me for my wives. Six marriages, two annulments, two beheadings. The young man who wrote love songs became the old king who terrified his court.
“Whoever leads an auspicious life here and governs the commonwealth rightly, as my most noble father did, who promoted all piety and banished all ignorance, has a just claim to a good name.”
— Henry VIII
Henry VIII wrote this in a letter reflecting on his father's legacy. He saw himself as continuing and exceeding the work of Henry VII, who had founded the Tudor dynasty after the Wars of the Roses.
My father Henry VII built the Tudor dynasty from nothing, winning the crown at Bosworth Field with a ragtag army. He left me a stable kingdom and a full treasury. I spent both. I fought wars with France, built palaces, patronized the arts, and reformed the English church from top to bottom. I created the Royal Navy. I established the Church of England. Some of it was wisdom. Some of it was vanity. The hardest thing about power is knowing which is which, and I was never good at telling the difference.
“My heart is set. All goodly sport for my comfort, who shall me let?”
— Henry VIII
From another composition in the Henry VIII Songbook, held at the British Library. Henry was known for his absolute determination in pursuing his goals, whether in love, religion, or politics.
When I wanted something, I got it. When the Pope refused to annul my marriage to Catherine of Aragon, I broke England away from Rome entirely. I made myself Supreme Head of the Church of England. I dissolved the monasteries and seized their wealth. I married six times chasing a son. I reshaped the country, the religion, and the law to serve my will. People call me a tyrant. I call it conviction. When you are king, hesitation kills faster than any enemy.
