Tuesday, January 3, 2012

How could King Henry the VIII who was a philanderer and murderer write the poem "Green Groweth the Holly"?Saw poem in the Norton Anthology of...

Henry VIII was more than just a man who discarded his wives through murder, divorce and humiliation, he was an intelligent, complex man who became King of England at the age of 18, rather unexpectedly, as the second son of the King.

"While reading any biography of Henry VIII, one must remember the flavor of his times and judge him, if at all, by sixteenth-century standards.  It's always amusing to read descriptions of Henry as the lustful tyrant torn between bedding and beheading innocent women; in truth, he blushed at dirty jokes and was more faithful than many 20th century husbands." 

Henry VIII is often remembered for his later years, but he actually was married to his first wife for almost 20 years, for the most part was faithful to her, he had a few mistresses. 

"Although most people today think of Henry VIII as a fat tyrant, in his youth he was admired for his intelligence, good looks, good nature and athletic ability. One of his contemporaries wrote that he was "one of the goodliest men that lived in his time, in manners more than a man, most amiable, courteous and benign in gesture unto all persons."

As a young Prince, he was a musician who wrote his own lyrics, and had an insatiable desire to learn.  He was, therefore, more than just a murderer, a Catholic first, then a Christian his entire life, he expresses love and respect for God in this work.

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