Henry VIII dies on the 90th anniversary of his father's, Henry VII's, birth
plus, why Katherine of Aragon's death was a bad thing for Anne Boleyn
Hello Fellow History Lovers!
This week:
The day that changed Anne Boleyn’s fate, discussed on British History Live
28th January 1547 - Henry VIII dies on what would have been his father’s, Henry VII’s, 90th birthday
Jonathan Healey takes us into the crazy world of 17th century England in my latest interview!
Put your questions to historian Gareth Russell about his upcoming book ‘Queen James’.
but first…
British History Live | Next Show
How Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads - bizarre stories from the 17th century
Join me on Monday 3rd February at 6:30pm UK time.
Within almost exactly 12 years of each other, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell had lost their heads, in Cromwell's case over 2 years after he'd died, outside Whitehall Palace. In this episode, recorded live, Philippa covers how a king could be tried for treason (a crime which hitherto was a crime committed against a king), the reaction to the king's death and the revenge his son, Charles II took on his corpse!
I’d love for you to join me live. You can set a reminder by clicking on the button below. If you can’t make it live, it will be available on the ‘live’ tab on the British History Youtube channel and on the podcast. A Substack message will go out when it is available.
Last time on British History Live
I looked at the events of 29th January 1536. As Katherine of Aragon was laid to rest as Dowager Princess of Wales at Peterborough Cathedral, Anne Boleyn miscarried. I explored Katherine's banishment, death, funeral and how, just as Anne thought her position was at its strongest and most secure, it all began to fall apart.
History Anniversary: The Death of Henry VIII
28th January 1547
On the evening of 27th January 1547 Henry VIII’s health had deteriorated so much that it was clear to anyone who saw him that he was close to death. Predicting the king’s death was considered treason and such was the fear of Henry’s temper, no one around him wished to tell the king that he was dying. However, everyone knew that the King should have time to prepare for death.
The job fell to his close friend and servant Sir Anthony Denny. Denny entered Henry’s bedchamber, in Whitehall Palace, and bravely told the King ‘in man’s judgement you are not like to live’ and that he must remember his sins and prepare for death ‘as becometh any good Christian man to do’. Henry did not fully acknowledge what Denny had just said but did say that if he should wish to talk to any ‘learned man’ (a priest to administer last rites) it should be Archbishop Cranmer. He said he’d sleep a while and then make a decision. Cranmer was immediately sent for and arrived in the early hours of the following day. Cranmer held Henry’s hand, asking for a sign that Henry died in the faith of Christ. He squeezed Cranmer’s hand as hard as he could as by this point speech and even moving his eyes was beyond him. Not long afterwards, at around 2am on 28th January 1547, the mighty king breathed his last, he was 55 years old.
Henry’s death was initially kept secret and wasn’t announced to Parliament until three days later to allow for a smooth transition to the council rule which was to follow under his son, Edward VI. Court ritual continued so as not to alert anyone to the King’s death before everything was ready. Even meals continued to be brought to his chambers announced, as always, by the sound of trumpets. Edward VI was nine years old at his accession and would be only the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty. He was male and legitimate but a child king was almost as dangerous a prospect as a woman on the throne for the fledgling dynasty. Everything had to be managed in minute detail and all of it had been planned by Henry himself. Of course this included Henry’s funeral which would, through impressive pageantry and ceremony, assert once again that the Tudors were rightful kings of England under God with the strong implication that Edward should be unchallenged.
Edward VI, aged 9 years, was to rule via a council according to Henry’s wishes. He had named 16 men to act as Privy Councillors but the council chose to elect a Head in Edward Seymour Lord of Hertford (later Duke of Somerset) who was the young King’s uncle, naming him ‘Lord Protector and Governor of the King’s person’.
Historian Interview Available Now!
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Ask Gareth Russell a question about his new book, ‘Queen James’
Would you like to ask Gareth Russell a question about his forthcoming book ‘Queen James. The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King’? Well, you can! Members of my Patreon have until the end of Sunday to submit their question - Click Here
UK Release Date: 27th February 2025. The book will be released later in the year in different parts of the world but you can pre-order it now from Blackwells for shipping worldwide. Click on the banner below.
If you are wondering if £5 per month is worth it for my Patreon membership - this is what January has brought members.
See you all next time - have fun!
Philippa 💜