It is inevitable that we will be forced to think on our life and it’s end. Everyone faces death; the young, old, poor, rich, nice people1 and even narcissists. The story of how you start to think is varied and reliant on the subjective experiences and choices. But, when the switch is tripped, we are forced to think and we are on our way to become a philosopher.
Henry VIII is known for how he handled or rather, mishandled his marriages founding the Church of England, executing his advisors and friends and warring with France. Henry VIII is not known for being a philosopher.; yet he became one. I’d like to explore the latter part of his life to explore how even a king, a narcissist and murderer can become a philosopher.
Henry VIII was not intended to be King; he had an older brother Arthur who was the heir to the throne. But, when his brother died at age 15, possibly because of tuberculosis2, Henry VIII was fast tracked to be groomed as the next heir and king to England.
He was indoctrinated taught that he was appointed by God to rule over his subjects, that winning wars is what memorable kings do and that women are to look pretty3 and for breeding4. He ascended to the English throne at 17 years of age on 24 June 1509. He had it all; he was young and athletic5. He inherited a kingdom at peace, a beautiful wife and absolute rule over England. But, this was not to last.
Henry VIII wanted to divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. But, since the Pope wouldn’t allow it, at the time he was Catholic, he had a great idea to make his own Church. Henry VIII created the church of England which he was the head of. Never mind that he had been married to Catherine for 24 years. Never mind that she’d been a massive help while he was fighting with France. Never mind that she went through multiple miscarriages trying to bear children and they have a daughter together (Mary). He wanted a younger, more fun wife and if you didn’t agree with his good idea of setting up his own religion, you would be punished. He ordered the execution of the clergymen and citizens who protested and the established Catholic churches and the treasures within them confiscated and taken by the crown.
Henry VIII had required a son to be suitable heir, as what was expected at the time and of it’s connection to his legacy6. But, at age 51, Henry VIII had no surviving male heirs. He had two daughters sure but, a woman ruling a country; it can’t be done! He wanted a male heir and it was not his fault; it was the women’s fault! That’s why he married multiple times and how we got this rhyme:
Divorced, Beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived. - what was taught to me in year 8 at school
He executed his 5th wife, Catherine Howard, because she wasn’t a virgin when they were married and that she might have had extra marital affairs whilst they were married. Though extra marital affairs when Henry did it, that was okay. A bill was passed stating that for an unchaste woman to marry the king is equivalent to treason7. Enough grounds to execute his new bride, which was done 13 Feb 1542.
After sentencing her execution, Henry VIII went to his bible and highlighted a section from the book of Proverbs8 quoted below
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword. - Proverbs 5:3-4 NIV9
Catherine Howard at time of death was estimated 18-19 years old. At the same time, Henry was 51. He was the head of the church, the head of England, the only one above him is God. In the highlighted passage above, we see him looking to the Bible to justify his actions of executing his young wife.
In his older age, he had become obese. Some estimates that he was 300lbs by the time he was 5010. His privileged diet of meat and wine and meat, because vegetables were for peasants, compounded in him having gout11; painful inflammatory arthritis in the joints. He never changed his diet and became increasingly obese to the point where he needed a walking stick to move about the palace12. Not only the lack of mobility due to his size, but possible constipation, repeated infections and Cushing’s syndrome13.
On top of all that, he had an injury from a jousting tournament from around 1937 that never really healed. The injured leg would flare up, produce ulcers that would burst open, spray puss and produce pungent odor14.
All of this wore heavily mentally and physically on Henry VIII. The point where he began to think back on his life is reflected in his last wife, Catherine Parr.
At 52 years of age of age Henry VIII married Catherine Parr who was 31 at the time. His previous wives were young, exciting and plenty of energy. Catherine Parr was the oldest woman he married who, comparatively was quiet, calm and dutiful. He chose a companion who was quiet, calm and who would assist him in his ailing health.
He died on 29th Jan 1548, overweight, smelly with puss oozing from his ulcers. Not as it’s been popular belief that it was from syphilis was the cause of death, but that has proven to be incorrect15. A jousting injury in 152416 seems to be the starting point of his ailments. The old injury seemingly not properly healed festers over years. Mixed with a bad diet and increasing inactivity all compounds to his death.
Right up to the end, Henry VIII seemed somewhat assured of his salvation. The day before he died he said; “Pardon me of all my Sins, yea, though they were greater than can be.”17 Even nearing death, the mighty king is apprehensive on how he will be met on the other side. This is the only real historical record of his reflection on his life and it’s recorded right when he’s forced to look at his inevitable death.
During his reign, Henry VIII had ordered the death of an estimated 57,000 of ordinary citizens, clergymen and people of the court who disagreed with him18. Admittedly the early part of his reign was smooth but the only thing we and historians focus on is the last 14-15 years of his life. Well, that’s much more juicy.
Henry VIII might be an off example but certainly a fun one to look at. I feel that everyone is a thinker, a philosopher. Posing the question of, when will you think on the end of your life? You might not yet be a philosopher but you will be. It’s not how do you become one, but when.
https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/echoism/#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20echoist%3F,to%20appear%20needy%20or%20narcissistic.
https://tudorhistory.org/people/arthur/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zh9s2sg
https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/tudor-women-what-was-life-like/
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/03/henry-viii-exhibition-british-library
https://www.lovebritishhistory.co.uk/2020/04/why-was-henry-viii-obsessed-with.html
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-Howard
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%205%3A3-4&version=NIV
https://historycollection.com/taking-lives-divorcing-wives-5-facts-henry-viii-britains-king-sized-monarch/
https://winehistorytours.com/wine-gout-and-king-henry-viii/
https://www.lovebritishhistory.co.uk/2020/03/what-really-made-henry-viii-obese.html
https://historycollection.com/taking-lives-divorcing-wives-5-facts-henry-viii-britains-king-sized-monarch/
https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/henry-viii/#gs.m7f98h
https://sellymanormuseum.org.uk/news/2020-11-17/tudor-myths-henry-viii
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-jousting-accident-that-turned-henry-viii-into-a-tyrant-1670421.html
https://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/generalnews/did-henry-viii-explode/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-killer-king-how-many-people-did-henry-viii-execute
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