A Beginner’s Guide to Henry VIII - The Charming Prince Who Became a Tyrant

We all think we know Henry VIII.

A huge man in cloth of gold, hands on hips, staring down from a Holbein portrait.
Six wives. Two beheaded.
Monasteries destroyed.
Rome defied.

But the real Henry is far more complex — and far more frightening.

In this Beginner’s Guide to Henry VIII, I take you from his birth in 1491 to his death in 1547, exploring the rise of a charming Renaissance prince… and the fall into tyranny that changed England forever.

You’ll discover:

• How Henry went from second son to king at 17
• His early talents — theology, music, languages, sport
• His achievements: the navy, Parliament, the English Bible, the break with Rome
• Why he didn’t die a Protestant
• The truth behind the six wives and the politics of each marriage
• His darker side — executions, rebellions, monasteries destroyed, and the terror of the 1530s
• Why historians still argue about his legacy today

Henry VIII’s reign was a turning point in English history: religiously, politically, culturally.
He is both a state-builder and a tyrant, a man of dazzling intelligence and devastating brutality.

So… was Henry VIII a great king, a monster, or both?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

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You can view other videos about him in my Henry VIII playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrI08JG1cwz7UqUYNxFHsPRv