Henry VIII -Tudor Culture, Education, Arts Timeline

Henry VIII was financially secure – his father, Henry VII had left around 1 million pounds in the treasury. The new King modelled himself on his predecessor Henry V and swore to continue Henry V’s war with France.

As King, Henry took no part in the government of the country and would only attend to necessary state matters at a time that suited him, generally after he had hunted or played sport.

Henry and Catherine took part in a special Coronation procession as they made their way to the Tower of London to await their coronation. Henry wore a cloth of gold tunic with a red velvet robe. Catherine wore an embroidered gown of white satin and a coronet of rich stones on her head.

To avoid an outbreak of plague in London, Henry and Catherine left on a progress. They visited Hamworth, Sunninghill, Woking, Farham, Esher, Enfield and Waltham.

William Blount, Lord Mountjoy, invited the Humanist reformer, Erasmus, to England. He told him that the old regime was over and that England was full of promise for young men of learning.

king Henry and Catherine of Aragon returned to London. They stayed at Richmond Palace.

It was the custom for the King and courtiers to exchange gifts on New Year’s Day. Henry gave Catherine a beautifully illuminated missal (a book containing the Roman Catholic Service of Mass for one year).

A jousting tournament was held to celebrate Twelfth Night. Henry had been advised not to take part in jousts, due to the danger and lack of heir to the throne. However, he decided he could stay away no longer and took part heavily disguised. The ‘unknown knight’ showed great skill and when he was revealed as the King was cheered and applauded. Henry regularly took part in jousts from this point.

It was rumoured that Henry was actively pursuing Anne, Lady Hastings, wife of Lord Hastings, sister of the Duke of Buckingham. In medieval times it was normal for the nobility to take a mistress when their wives were pregnant. Lady Anne’s sister, Lady Fitzwalter, had heard the rumour and told the Duke of Buckingham who told Lord Hastings. Hastings duly removed his wife from court and placed her in a convent. Henry was furious and ordered Catherine to dismiss Lady Fitzwalter for spying. Catherine was upset to hear of the affair.

Henry visited the shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham to give thanks for the birth of his son and heir, Henry.

The royal court moved to the Palace of Westminster where banquets and tournaments were held to celebrate the birth of Prince Henry. The prince remained at Richmond in the care of his nursemaids.

Henry VIII and Catherine went on a progress of England.

The Humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus visited London. He stayed in the home of Thomas More.

Thomas Boleyn was sent on his first diplomatic mission to Margaret of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands. While there he succeeded in securing a place for his daughter, Anne, in Margaret’s service.

Thomas Cromwell, aged 28 years, returned to England having spent the last ten years on the continent. He began to study common law.

Anne Boleyn was sent in the care of a knight named Broughton, to begin her service in the household of Margaret, Regent of the Netherlands.

A new ship,’The Princess Mary’, nicknamed ‘The Great Galley’ was launched. The Tudor Navy now included 31 ships.

Princess Mary began her journey to France. Wolsey had organised a grand procession from London to Dover. It was a windy October day when Mary said farewell to her brother on the quayside. Although she had resigned herself to the marriage, Mary was still not happy about it. She was accompanied by a number of English noblemen as well as her newly appointed ladies.

While in the Netherlands, Thomas More began writing a book which he would later call ‘Utopia’.

John Stewart, Duke of Albany, returned to Scotland. He was escorted to Edinburgh where he demanded that Margaret hand over her sons James and Alexander. Margaret refused and shut herself and her children in Stirling Castle.

Margaret Tudor, who was heavily pregnant with Archibald Douglas’s child, escaped from Edinburgh. She was helped by her husband, his brother George Douglas and Lord Home. She was taken to Blackadder Castle near the English border where she awaited permission from her brother to enter England.

Margaret had finally received permission to enter England. She crossed the border and travelled to Harbottle castle near Otterburn in Northumbria which was owned by Lord Dacre.

A new galley, ‘The Mary Rose’ was launched. The King attended the ceremony accompanied by his wife and sister. The new galley could carry one thousand men, had 120 oars and 207 guns. After the launching ceremony a banquet was held on board the ship.

Thomas More’s book Utopia was published in Louvain. Written in Latin, it describes an imaginary society of pagans living on a remote island in accordance with the laws of natural virtue

Henry VIII invited his sister, Margaret, and her daughter Margaret Douglas, to court. She was met at Tottenham by the King and entered the city in style riding a white palfrey sent to her by Catherine of Aragon.

Because there were so many foreign ambassadors in London, Henry organised a joust in the newly built tiltyard at Greenwich. Edward Guildford was appointed Marshall of the Jousts. Henry was head of the 14 challengers while the Duke of Suffolk was head of the 14 answerers. The joust was followed by a banquet and dancing.

A new form of plague reached England. It was called the Sweating sickness because the victim felt unwell before breaking out in a profuse sweat. After four or five hours a crisis was reached where the victim either died or, more rarely, recovered. Henry and the court left London for Windsor Castle.

Thomas Wolsey, who had been left in London to deal with state affairs, contracted sweating sickness. He survived the disease but was weakened and resorted to dealing with government issues from his bed.

The English court was closed for Christmas due to the outbreak of Sweating sickness. Henry was fearful of illness and disease and refused to receive any foreign ambassadors and kept himself shut away.

Thomas Linacre founded the College of Physicians. It issued licenses to all medical practitioners and attempted to stop unqualified quacks from treating sick people.

The court moved to Abingdon, Oxford to avoid an outbreak of sweating sickness in London.

Catherine of Aragon paid a visit to Merton College Oxford. She took a great interest in education and contributed funds to educational establishments. She was well received by the Masters and students at Merton.

A tournament was held to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of London and the betrothal of Princess Mary to the Dauphin. The tournament was followed by a Supper Party during which a pageant was performed depicting Christian crusaders defeating the Turks.

Thomas Wolsey established a Greek department at Oxford University. Although the language had been taught at times in the past, this was the first time it had been properly established.

Following the election of Charles as Holy Roman Emperor, England and France were united in their fear of Charles’s great power. It was proposed that a summit meeting between Francis and Henry be held. It was agreed that English and French representatives would make the arrangements, overseen by Thomas Wolsey who would make final decisions.