King Henry VIII
Henry was a total stud! Exceptionally tall, possibly as tall as 6'5", he was not only an athlete but also a skilled dancer and musician. As the second son of Henry VII, he was not originally destined to be king but ascended to the throne after the death of his brother Arthur. Many believed Henry was somewhat of a true romantic. He fell in love genuinely and deeply, even if it didn't last a lifetime. Henry certainly loved Katherine, and they were married for over 20 years. However, the growing need for an undisputed heir ultimately led to their separation.
King Henry VIII of England was the second son of Henry VII. Initially not destined for the throne, he became king in 1509 after his elder brother Arthur's death. His reign is marked by significant religious and political upheaval, including the English Reformation, which saw the break from the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England, with Henry at its head. This split was largely motivated by his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to produce a male heir. Henry married six times in his quest for a male successor: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. Still, they only bore him one male heir, Edward VI.
In severing ties with the Catholic Church, he also seized the wealth of existing monasteries, making him one of the wealthiest men of his time. His reign saw significant political and social changes, and the strengthening of the monarchy. Henry is remembered for his influential policies, tumultuous personal life, and the drastic changes he brought to England's religious landscape. He died on January 28, 1547, and was succeeded by his son Edward VI who only lived to 13 years old. Henry's line died out with Elizabeth I, his daughter by Anne Boleyn.