Comments on: VIII Random Facts About Henry VIII

By: Becky Boleyn

Becky Boleyn — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:08:55 +0000

I’d also like to point out that the syphilis theories are most likely false, and have been discredited several times… Henry suffered from a few bouts of malaria, and in later life suffered from ulcers up and down his legs, including the famous one on his thigh.
Eventually, his feet and lower calves were stricken with gangrene.

All of these ailments, (along with possibly untreated diabetes), caused dementia and his frequent “visions/ hallucinations” in his last years.

By: Becky Boleyn

Becky Boleyn — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:04:48 +0000

Hi, there,

I’m a Medieval Studies major and I’d just like to point out that TOBG is a great place to start, but much of it isn’t historically accurate, and Gregory makes a lot of accusations that only she and a few others share…
For example, it is a very odd thing to say that George Boleyn (Anne Boleyn’s brother) was gay… There really isn’t any evidence towards that.

I’ve read a few of her novels, and they’re very much romanticized. Her depiction of Elizabeth I in ‘Virgin’s Lover’ is disgraceful to her memory, as she is depicted as a simpering, unintelligent, dependent woman.

Also, please don’t watch the series, The Tudors.
Highly historically inaccurate, they made much of the plot up and if you’re in it for the costumes (I certainly was), you’re about to be disappointed as the costuming is absurd.

Just like to point out to some of you that at his peak, Henry VIII was the picture of male perfection. Commonly referred to as a Sun God, in fact. Golden, jolly and full of life. It was only after Jane Seymour’s death that he lost himself, and he did so for only about 18 – 20 months after her death.
Upon re-marrying to Catherine Howard, he worked very hard to reclaim his once wonderful body.

By: Anon Emous

Anon Emous — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:45:39 +0000

(Unfortunately) True Story…

Working as a librarian, I once told a teacher who was teaching her kids about H VIII about the newly discovered depiction of a handsome, pre-bloated H VIII.

I assumed she knew it was a painting, but she asked me if I had a copy of this PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM that she could show her students!

By: CPete

CPete — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:17:45 +0000

@ Katie: Anne Boleyn having six fingers was actually a rumor that began spreading after she died; kind of a posthumous smear campaign. She went in and out of popularity with the English during Henry’s life, was very unpopular during Mary’s reign, and regained popularity when her daughter Elizabeth took the throne.

Yeah, I’m a dork.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:34:10 +0000

stupid homework….henry the eighth. you just had to kill some of your wives.

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:05:00 +0000

They sure did perty everyone up in the movie, The Other Boelyn Girl!! If King Henry III was not a king at that time, he would have to paying or praying for a wife!! lol! I vote in Eric Bana as King..lol! yum

By: Ori

Ori — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:23:49 +0000

Despite its historical inaccuracies, TOBG is a good starting point for those who want to learn about the era, but were either overwhelmed or bored to tears in history class. Has anyone here seen the first movie version of TOBG, from the BBC, I believe?

Although it is fiction and not history, I wonder if Philipa Gregory was correct in her assertion (in The Boleyn Inheritance) the Henry’s dislike of Anne of Cleves wasn’t due to her physical appearance or the unfashionable clothes she wore, but to her rejecting his kiss when he met her in disguise. The king was fond of dressing up in disguise with his men and dancing and masquing ‘unrecognised’. In truth, everyone knew who he was, but Anne, never having seen him, did not recognise him and was disgusted by his foul breath when he kissed her. For someone like Henry, that would be almost unforgivable, and he was at this point spiteful and mean.

I prefer the young King Harry, the ‘Handsomest Prince in Christendom’.

By: Iby

Iby — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:49:09 +0000

You lot are bloody wierd. Hahaa. You are actually interested in this crap?
hahaa. Im only doing it for homework!

By: Allyson

Allyson — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:21:39 +0000

I really can’t complain about King Henry VIII, he was a great scholar, well published, and fathered Queen Elizabeth I, what more can you ask for? Well, you could have asked him not to kill Thomas More, and there was the whole drawing & quartering with heads on spikes that appeared less than pleasant, but other than that…

By: Allyson

Allyson — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:16:48 +0000

He was a brilliant man, and he gave us Queen Elizabeth I, I don’t think I can complain too much… well except for the drawing and quartering and heads on spikes thing, but other than that, no conplaints.