Henry VIII Man and Monarch – Exhibition Review

British Library Presents Tudor Monarch's Life and Legacy

Apr 29, 2009

This exhibition looks at misconceptions about Henry VIII's life - his six wives, the monasteries, the church, the murders, the achievements and his legacy to the nation.

Henry VIII Man and Monarch has been guest curated by Dr David Starkey, Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Dr Starkey's expertise in Tudor history has influenced his choice of items displayed in the exhibition. The monarch is presented as a vital figure in English history whose beliefs, ambitions and achievements continue to influence England into the 21st Century.

British Library Treasures on Display

Many of the rarely displayed items featured in the exhibition come from the British Library's own holdings. The exhibition would not have been possible without the support of other museums and institutions who have loaned vital objects such as maps, manuscripts, books and historical documents, as well as portraits, armour, jewellery and tapestry.

Virtuous Prince to Tyrannical Monster

The exhibition charts Henry's life and how he changed from a young good-looking and virtuous prince to a tyrannical monster who murdered more courtiers, more associates and advisers than any other King in English history. His victims included a cardinal, 20 peers, several important public servants, half a dozen close friends and attendants, three abbots and, of course, two wives.

Henry's Handwriting Reveals his Character

On display are many examples of Henry's handwriting. His square, heavy, massive writing appears on documents such as manuscripts, music, books and his personal Psalter heavily annotated by his own hand. Other documents demonstrate Henry's deep religious commitment before the break with the Roman Catholic Church.

Henry's Six Wives

The wives of Henry VIII play a major part in the exhibition through portraits and documents. The marriage contract between the King and his first wife, Katherine, widow of Henry's brother, Prince Arthur, has been loaned by Archivo General de Simancas, Valladolid, Spain, and is on display in the UK for the first time.

Also on display is a letter written by the King to Anne Boleyn. The letter, often referred to as "the love letter that changed the nation", has been hidden in the Vatican for nearly 500 years. It reveals Henry's infatuation with Anne and may have been stolen from her to provide evidence in the King's divorce case. Anne knew of the King's reputation as a womaniser and steadfastly refused to become yet another royal mistress. For Anne, it was marriage, or nothing.

Henry VIII and the Royal Navy

At Henry's accession England was a country prone to frequent attack and invasion. Documents and maps show how Henry transformed the country into a nation that could defend itself. It was Henry who expanded the Navy Royal, as it was known then, with the additional of several ships including the Henri Grâce a Dieu (Great Harry) and the Mary Rose.

A full programme of performances, talks, film screenings and family events accompanies the exhibition. In addition, the Psalter of Henry VIII has been digitised and can be seen on the British Library's Turning the Pages™.

To record the contents of this excellent exhibition the British Library has published a catalogue entitled Henry VIII: Man and Monarch. Edited by Dr Susan Doran, the publication features all 250 exhibits together with contributions by leading Tudor scholars.

Henry VIII: Man and Monarch will be on view until 6th September 2009 and full information about public events, publications and Turning the Pages™. can be obtained from the British Library.

The copyright of the article Henry VIII Man and Monarch – Exhibition Review in Special Art Gallery Exhibits is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Henry VIII Man and Monarch – Exhibition Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.