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Tudor, Henry VIII

Active 1509-1547

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Person Born Died Gender Person ID
Henry VIII Tudor Greenswich 1491 London 1547 M P0962

Instrument(s) Professional group Social status Social sphere Why is the person listed?
vihuela Government (state) Royalty Court - royal Patron Owned a vihuela

Years active Place active Century Region
1509-1547 London 16cent/1/early England
Biographical information

Henry Tudor (1491-1547), Henry VIII ruled as King of England 1509-1547. He is famous for his various marriages to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. He is also noted for his separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic church. His association with the vihuela and Spain is mostly due to his marriage with Catherine of Aragon which brought Spanish musicians and music to England.
The Wikipedia article on him makes clear that “his contemporaries considered Henry in his prime to be an attractive, educated and accomplished king, and he has been described as ‘one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne’.” Besides ruling with considerable power, he also engaged himself as an author and composer. In later life he became obese, probably contributing to his early death, and in later life was frequently characterised as “a lustful, egotistical, harsh, and insecure king.” See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII_of_England (accessed 07/04/14)
The post-mortem inventory of his possessions indicates several vihuelas or guitars.

Related persons


Source documents
Date Document
1547 Inventory of the musical instruments of Henry VIII.


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