I am not well-versed in British history, but I developed an interest in it as we, as a family, were members of the British Council Library. Our regular visits to the library found us leafing through the colorful stories of the British monarchy and developing a keen interest in it. Of all the historical figures, I found the history of the British monarch, King Henry VIII the most engaging. Starting with the painting of King Henry VIII by Holbein, he seems to exude a presence befitting a king. He looks robust, with a ruddy complexion and ginger colored beard and hair. His costume as seen in the portrait looks flamboyant and ceremonial. His reign is known for many reforms, but best remembered for his six marriages, in his attempt to produce an heir to the Throne and continue the legacy of the Tudor dynasty. He remained King from the year 1509 until his death in 1547. Catherine of Aragon, widow of his brother, Prince Arthur, was his first wife and queen. She gave birth to a daughter, Mary, by which time he was attracted to Anne Boleyn, lady in waiting to Catherine. He moved heaven and earth to make possible a marriage with her. To have his first marriage annulled, he had a disagreement with the Pope, which led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from Papal authority. He declared himself Supreme Head of the Church for which he was excommunicated by the Pope. Henry remained all powerful, as he ushered in the theory of the Divine Right of the kings, in opposition to papal supremacy. His political strategy was to quell dissent with force. He executed or banished them without a formal trial, if they fell out of favor. He was assisted by many sagacious chief ministers during different times of his reign, like Thomas Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Cranmer; but faced the gallows when they didnt fall in line with his political aims and wishes. This was however the fate of some of his consorts, like Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, who were executed for treason, without any fair trial. Jane Seymour, who succeeded Anne Boleyn as his third queen, finally gave him a male heir that he so ardently wished. She however did not live long after childbirth. Anne of Cleves, and Catherine Parr, escaped the gallows so to speak; the former got a divorce and the latter outlived him. Henry remained extravagant in his lifestyle, by being on the verge of financial ruin because of personal spending and unproductive wars, with France, Rome and Scotland. Inspite of his six marriages, he left behind a legacy that was rift with succession problems. However, Jane Seymour's son, Edward VI, though sickly, ruled for sometime. Followed by Mary's reign. The irony of it all was Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn's daughter, finally ruled for a considerable time and made more than a mark in British history. On the whole Henry was an "attractive, educated and an accomplished king", and "one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne" .
