King Henry VIII

Book Categories: Henry VIII, Court, Writings, Wives, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, Katherine Parr, Henry's Children, Relatives, Others, Thomas More, Reign, The Mary Rose, Fiction, Children's Books, DVDs

King Henry VIII

Henry VIII by Michael A. Graves. This biography examines the king's complex personality and dispels myths about his life.

Great Harry: The Extravagant Life of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson. Biography that covers the king's troubled youth, triumphant early reign, and agonizing old age.

Henry VIII: The Tudor Tyrant by Richard Rex. Biography of the talented, athletic and temperamental king who changed the course of English history.

A Brief History of Henry VIII by Derek Wilson. Looks at the life and times of the Tudor monarch, particularly his often-overlooked childhood, his life within the royal court and, of course, all his wives.

Henry VIII by Lucy Wooding. Cuts away misleading mythology to provide a vivid portrayal of a passionate, willful, intelligent, yet fearful king.

Henry VIII: The Mask of Royalty by Lacey Baldwin Smith. This is by far the best book I've read about Henry VIII. It explains his personality and actions in the context of his times. If you've never read a biography of Henry VIII, I wouldn't start with this book, but if you're already familiar with his life story, this is definitely worth reading.

Henry VIII by Eric Ives. A brief biography from the "Very Interesting People" series.

Henry VIII: Man and Monarch edited by David Starkey and Susan Doran. Catalogue for a British Library exhibition with color illustrations of all 250 exhibits. Includes contributions from scholars Eamon Duffy, James Carley, John Guy, Diarmaid McCulloch and Eric Ives.

1536: The Year That Changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb. In 1536, Henry met many failures -- physical, personal, and political -- and emerged a different man who transformed his nation.

Henry: Virtuous Prince by David Starkey. The first book of a highly anticipated biography of Henry VIII. As a young man Henry was a gifted athlete, scholar, and musician. His accession to the throne provided England with hope of a new beginning. Nobody guessed how radical his rule would be. Available from AbeBooks.

Henry VIII by Jasper Ridley. Biography that depicts Henry as an extremely perceptive, aggressive, and merciless monarch.Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Henry VIII: In History, Historiography and Literature edited by Uwe Baumann.

Off With Her Head! Henry VIII: The Life and Loves of Bluff King Hal by English Heritage. Whether taking on the Pope or the king of France, Henry VIII stamped his mark on English history.

Henry VIII's Court

Henry VIII: The King & His Court by Alison Weir. This book, written by a very popular and entertaining writer, is not a biography; instead, it gives a detailed picture of life at King Henry's court.

Dress at the Court of King Henry VIII by Maria Hayward. Covers the dress of the king and his court, including the cut and construction of garments, materials and colors, the function of livery, and the hierarchy of dress within the royal household. The text is accompanied by full transcripts of wardrobe books of 1516 and 1521.

The Inventory of King Henry VIII: Textiles and Dress edited by Maria Hayward. Transcription of the inventory of Henry VIII's possessions, accompanied by a historical introduction, a glossary of technical terms, and an exhaustive index. (Expensive.)

Henry VIII Revealed: Holbein's Portrait and Its Legacy by Xanthe Brooke and David Crombie. Explores how, when, and why versions of the portrait were painted, and how they affected subsequent portrayals of the monarch.

The Books and Libraries of King Henry VIII and His Wives by James P. Carley. Published by the British Library.

The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracy, Treason and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant by Robert Hutchinson. The prospect of Henry's death spurred rival court factions into deadly conflict. The author advances a new theory of Henry's medical history and the cause of his death. The book includes eyewitness material, confessions, and love letters between Queen Katherine Parr and the Lord High Admiral.

The Mistresses of Henry VIII by Kelly Hart. Looking good was not enough to attract King Henry VIII. His mistresses helped influence profound changes in society and religion.

Mary Boleyn: The True Story of Henry VIII's Mistress by Josephine Wilkinson. Biography of the sole survivor of a family torn apart by lust and ambition.

Henry VIII's Last Victim: Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey by Jessie Childs. This biography of the Tudor poet sheds new light on the reign and personality of Henry VIII. Available from Alibris.

Books About Henry VIII's Palaces

Henry VIII's Writings

The Letters of King Henry VIII edited by Tim Coates. See what Henry had to say about his wives, Cardinal Wolsey, the Reformation, and more.

Reading Monarchs' Writing edited by Peter C. Herman. Criticism of the poetry of Henry VIII, Mary Stuart, Elizabeth I, and James VI/I.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII

The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. My favorite book about his wives. It's fascinating and fun to read.

The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser. An absorbing look at Henry's six unfortunate wives.

Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII by David Starkey. Draws on draws on the letters and documents of the period, concentrating on the rituals of diplomacy, marriage, pregnancy, and religion.

Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII by Karen Lindsey. Was Anne Boleyn a victim of sexual harassment? The author of this book thinks so. Lindsey's overly modern sensibility is silly at times (especially in the chapter about Katherine Howard), but she succeeds in making the reader look at the wives in a slightly different light.

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon by Garrett Mattingly. A classic biography of Henry's first wife. Available from Alibris.

Catherine, the Queen by Mary M. Luke. A 1967 biography. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Anne Boleyn

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn by Eric Ives. This biography focuses on Anne's life and legacy, portraying her as an intellectual woman who made her way in a man's world by force of education and personality. She was so powerful that she had to be stopped -- even by a lie.

Mistress Anne by Carolly Erickson. A biography of Henry's second doomed wife.

The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn by Josephine Wilkinson. Before she caught the king's eye, Anne had three different suitors. An arranged marriage with James Butler was intended to settle a family dispute. Anne then captured the heart of Henry Percy, but they were torn apart. Lastly, Thomas Wyatt, the dreamy young poet, was captivated by Anne but stepped aside for Henry VIII.

Anne Boleyn: Henry VIII's Obsession by Elizabeth Norton. Biography of the controversial and scandalous Tudor queen.

The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir. Anne Boleyn's ascent from private gentlewoman to wife of King Henry VIII was astonishing, as was her swift downfall. This book examines in detail the motives and intrigues of those who helped to seal the queen's fate.

Anne Boleyn: A New Life of England's Tragic Queen by Joanna Denny. This biography portrays Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, as an intelligent and virtuous woman relentless pursued by a promiscuous, brutish king. The author clearly sympathizes with Boleyn's commitment to religious reform, and attacks Catherine of Aragon and her supporters at every opportunity. Although I found the book too one-sided, it is well-written and entertaining, and presents a convincing defense of Boleyn.

The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn by Retha M. Warnicke. A scholarly look at family politics at the court of Henry VIII. Warnicke attempts to paint a sympathetic portrait of Anne. She believes Anne was executed because she miscarried a deformed child. I found her theories a bit farfetched.

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour: Henry VIII's True Love by Elizabeth Norton. Biography of the Tudor king's third wife. Submissive and obedient in front of Henry, her true personality was far more cutthroat.

Jane, the Quene, Third Consort of King Henry VIII by Pamela M. Gross. Biography of Henry's most mysterious queen.

Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's Discarded Bride by Elizabeth Norton. Biography. Henry VIII's fourth wife is often portrayed as stupid and comical. The real Anne was both intelligent and practical, which helped her to survive.

The Marrying of Anne of Cleves: Royal Protocol in Early Modern England by Retha M. Warnicke. Examines sexual politics at court and the king's failure to consummate his marriage to his fourth queen.

Other Books About Anne of Cleves

Katherine Howard

Katherine Howard: A Tudor Conspiracy by Joanna Denny. This biography presents a sympathetic portrait of a girl trapped and betrayed by her own family.

Catherine Howard: The Queen Whose Adulteries Made a Fool of Henry VIII by Lacey Baldwin Smith. Biography of the king's fifth wife, first published in 1961 under the title "A Tudor Tragedy."

Katherine Parr

Catherine Parr: Henry VIII's Last Love by Susan James. Biography. Desperately in love with another man, Catherine Parr was forced into marriage with a king.

Catherine Parr by Elizabeth Norton. Biography of Henry VIII's sixth wife. Her life was one of duty, but she attempted to escape her destiny and find happiness for herself.

Katherine Parr: A Guided Tour of the Life and Thought of a Reformation Queen by Brandon G. Withrow. A biography of Henry VIII's sixth wife with annotations on her books and letters. Includes a full reprint of her autobiographical account "Lamentations of a Sinner."

Queen Katherine Parr by Anthony Martienssen. Biography. Out of print, but sometimes available from Alibris.

Henry's Children

The Children of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. About Mary I, Elizabeth I, Edward VI, and Jane Grey.

Bastard Prince: Henry VIII's Lost Son by Beverley A. Murphy. A biography of Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, who died young.

Books About Edward VI
Books About Jane Grey
Books About Mary I
Books About Elizabeth I

Other Family Members

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury 1473-1541: Loyalty, Lineage and Leadership by Hazel Pierce. Niece of both Edward IV and Richard III, Margaret Pole was the only woman except Anne Boleyn to hold a peerage in her own right during the 16th century. She was executed by her relative Henry VIII.

Reginald Pole: Prince and Prophet by Thomas F. Mayer. A great-nephew of King Edward IV, Cardinal Pole was first the friend and later the foe of his cousin Henry VIII.

Books About Henry's Siblings
King Henry VII
More Books About the Tudors & Their Era

Other People of the Time

Jane Boleyn: The Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox. Biography of Jane Rochford, sister-in-law of Anne Boleyn, who was executed in 1542 for helping Katherine Howard conduct a love affair.

Thorns and Thistles by C. Patrick Hotle deals with diplomacy between Henry VIII and King James V of Scotland.

Thomas Cranmer: A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch. Cranmer made Henry VIII's divorce from Anne Boleyn happen, wrote the Book of Common Prayer, and was executed by "Bloody" Mary for his plotting on behalf of Lady Jane Grey. This highly readable biography is the first new treatment of Cranmer in three decades. (Review © Amazon.com.)

The Political Career of Thomas Wriothesley by Geoffrey Gibbons is about the first Earl of Southampton, Henry VIII's last chancellor.

Henry VIII's Conservative Scholar by Andrew A. Chibi. Bishop John Stokesley and the divorce, royal supremacy and doctrinal reform.

Thomas More

The Life of Thomas More by Peter Ackroyd. More was Henry's good friend -- until he refused to endorse the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn. This biography traces the life, from baptism to beheading, of the lawyer who became a saint.

Thomas More: A Biography by Richard Marius. Explains the religious thought and controversies of the time.

A Daughter's Love: Thomas More and His Dearest Meg by John Guy. Sir Thomas More's opposition to King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn led to his execution, but the devotion of More's daughter Margaret secured his place in history.

The King's Good Servant but God's First: The Life and Writings of Saint Thomas More by James Monti.

Thomas More (Great Christian Thinkers) by Anne Murphy and Peter Vardy. An examination of More's religious beliefs and writings.

Utopia by Thomas More. More's most famous work, in which he describes his idea of the perfect world. First published in 1516.

Henry's Reign

Henry VIII: Court, Church and Conflict by David Loades. Explores the turmoil of Henry VIII's reign and how the king manipulated those around him.

The King's Reformation: Henry VIII and the Remaking of the English Church by G. W. Bernard. A major reassessment of England's break with Rome.

The Reign of Henry VIII: Politics, Policy and Piety edited by Diarmaid MacCulloch.

Henry VIII and the English Reformation by Richard Rex. Emphasizes the personal role of Henry VIII in driving the Reformation process and the way it reinforced his power.

The Last Divine Office: Henry VIII and the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Geoffrey Moorhouse. Draws on long-forgotten material from the great Benedictine Durham Priory, revealing the plunder and ruin of some 650 monastic religious houses in England and Wales.

Courtly Letters in the Age of Henry VIII by Seth Lerer. Tudor literary culture and the arts of deceit.

Religious Identities in Henry VIII's England by Peter Marshall. Explores the complex web of identities that people were forced to assume as the king sought to take control of his national church.

Henry VIII, the League of Schmalkalden, and the English Reformation by Rory McEntegart. An examination of the development of Henry's religious thinking in the context of the foreign policy of German Protestants, the ministerial priorities of Thomas Cromwell, and factional politics at Henry's court.

The Mary Rose

The Warship Mary Rose: The Life and Times of King Henry VIII's Flagship by David Childs. The raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 made headline news, but it is not just an archaeological relic. This book tells the story of the ship's construction and career in the context of Tudor politics and court life. Heavily illustrated.

More Books About the Mary Rose

Fiction About Henry & His Court

The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George. A well-researched, entertaining novel. If you like big, romantic historical novels, this one's for you.

King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives, and the One Man Who Knew All Their Secrets by Margaret Campbell Barnes. Court jester Will Somers witnesses the rise and fall of Henry VIII's queens.

King Henry VIII by William Shakespeare. This play was written during the reign of Henry's daughter Elizabeth I.

Murder Most Royal by Jean Plaidy. The story of Henry VIII's two executed wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson. At the perilous Tudor royal court, lady-in-waiting Jane Popyngcourt receives flattering attention from new king Henry VIII, but gives her heart to another man. This is the first novel in Emerson's Secrets of the Tudor Court series.

Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens by Kate Emerson. Pretty, flirtatious, and ambitious, Nan Bassett may be the only one who can reassure a suspicious King Henry VIII of her family's loyalty. But Nan is guarding a secret that could put her life in jeopardy.

The Serpent Garden by Judith Merkle Riley. Suspense novel about a woman painter in the court of Henry VIII.

The Tudors: It's Good to Be King by Michael Hirst. Scripts for the first episodes of the Showtime TV series "The Tudors," about the young Henry VIII. Includes color photos and essays about the Tudor era and dynasty.

The Tudors: The King, the Queen, and the Mistress by Michael Hirst and Anne Gracie. This novelization of season one of "The Tudors" introduces young, virile King Henry VIII and the women who will cause him to alter the course of history.

The King's Confidante: The Story of the Daughter of Sir Thomas More by Jean Plaidy. Novel about Margaret More, whose father was a friend and adviser of Henry VIII -- and later became the king's foe. First published under the title "Saint Thomas' Eve."

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett. Novel about Sir Thomas More and his family seen through the eyes of his daughter Meg.

The Queen's Lady by Barbara Kyle. Romance novel about a lady-in-waiting to Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Novels About Catherine of Aragon

The King's Pleasure by Norah Lofts. Fictional account of the life of King Henry VIII's first wife, Katharine of Aragon. This is one of the books that triggered my interest in royalty. It was originally published in 1969.

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. Novel about Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of England's King Henry VIII.

The Spanish Bride by Laurien Gardner. Another novel about Catherine of Aragon.

Katharine of Aragon by Jean Plaidy. Trilogy of novels about the life of Henry's VIII first wife: Katharine the Virgin Widow, The Shadow of the Pomegranate, and The King's Secret Matter.

Novels About Anne and Mary Boleyn

The Concubine by Norah Lofts. About Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. First published in 1963.

A Lady Raised High: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Laurien Gardner. Fictional account of the life of King Henry VIII's second wife.

Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes. Novel about Anne Boleyn.

The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy. One of history's most complex and alluring women -- Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII -- comes to life in this classic novel by popular novelist Jean Plaidy (who also wrote under the names Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr).

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell. A novel told from Queen Anne's viewpoint.

Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell. When Anne and Mary Boleyn become spies in the French court, Anne discovers the power of catching the eye of a king.

Dear Heart, How Like You This? by Wendy J. Dunn. A novel about Thomas Wyatt, the poet who was Anne Boleyn's cousin and suitor.

Threads by Nell Gavin. Romance about a modern couple who are reincarnated from Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

Sow the Tempest by Jane Lane. Novel about Henry VIII's obsession with Anne Boleyn. Available from Alibris.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Novel about Anne Boleyn's sister Mary, who was Henry's mistress before Anne caught his eye. Winner of the 2002 Parker Romantic Novel of the Year award. I found this book quite entertaining -- a real page-turner.

The Last Boleyn: A Novel by Karen Harper. Another novel about Anne Boleyn's sister Mary.

Novels About Jane Seymour

Plain Jane: A Novel of Jane Seymour by Laurien Gardner. When King Henry VIII tires of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, his wandering eye falls on plain Jane Seymour. She intends to win not only his heart but also the crown.

Novels About Anne of Cleves & Katherine Howard

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. Fiction. Anne of Cleves has her own good reasons for agreeing to marry the ageing King Henry VIII, but she senses a trap closing around her. Meanwhile, Catherine Howard thinks she can dazzle her way to the throne.

My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes. The story of Henry VIII's fourth queen and her secret love.

The Rose Without a Thorn by Jean Plaidy. Novel about the life of Henry VIII's unfortunate fifth wife, Katherine Howard.

The Queen's Mistake by Diane Haeger. When young Catherine Howard becomes the fifth wife of Henry VIII, she is compelled to deny her heart's desire in favor of her family's ambition.

The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby. Fast-paced, well-written novel about King Henry VIII's teenaged fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford. Literary novel in which Katherine Howard is portrayed as an intelligent woman battling for social change.

The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy. Novel about Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Lady Rochford -- the woman who helped destroy them both. (Originally published under the title "Veneagence Is Mine.")

An Unchaste Life: Memoir of a Tudor Queen by Anne Cato. Fictional account of the life of Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII of England.

Novels About Katherine Parr

The Sixth Wife by Jean Plaidy. Novel about the life of Henry VIII's last queen, Katherine Parr.

The Last Wife of Henry VIII: A Novel by Carolly Erickson. Another fictional account of the life of Catherine Parr.

The Ivy Crown by Mary Luke. Another novel about Katherine Parr. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Red Queen's Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov. Fantasy-historical. Mary Seymour, the orphaned daughter of Henry VIII's wife Katherine Parr, becomes a magician in the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

Novels About Mary and Margaret Tudor

The Secret Bride by Diane Haeger. Novel about Mary Tudor, Henry VIII's sister, who defied him by choosing her own second husband.

When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major. Another novel about Henry's sister Mary and her relationship with Charles Brandon.

Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy. Another novel about Henry VIII's younger sister Mary.

The Thistle and the Rose by Jean Plaidy. The story of Margaret Tudor, whose life of tragedy and scandal rivaled that of her brother Henry VIII.

Reluctant Queen by Geraldine Hartnett. Novel about Henry VIII's sister Mary, who was forced to marry the elderly king of France although she was in love with Henry's friend Charles Brandon. Sometimes available from AbeBooks.

Children's Books About Henry VIII

Henry VIII: Royal Beheader by Sean Price. Biography for children ages 9 to 12 from the Wicked History series.

Henry VIII by Marilyn Tower Oliver. For children ages 9 to 12.

Henry VIII by Nick Ford. Biography for young adult readers.

Patience, Princess Catherine: A Young Royals Book by Carolyn Meyer. Fiction about Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII.

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer. Novel about Anne Boleyn from the Young Royals series.

Beware the King by Stewart Ross. Historical fiction for children ages 9 to 12. Anne Boleyn falls in love with Henry VIII and cannot see why she would do well to beware the king.

Henry VIII and His Wives is a coloring book!

Henry VIII and His Wives Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney.

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Movies, TV, & Music

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

Television Dramas

The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Famous six-part BBC drama starring Keith Michell as the king. Accurate and highly enjoyable.

The Tudors - The Complete First Season. Television series starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a sexy young Henry VIII.

Note: If you're a U.S. resident, you can currently download any of the episodes of the first season of the TV series The Tudors from Amazon. (Be aware that the show contains violence, sexual content, and nudity.)

The Tudors - The Complete Second Season. Henry VIII takes control of his kingdom, and his tyranny spares no one - not even the women who love him.

The Other Boleyn Girl. An apparently low-budget 2003 television movie adapation of the Philippa Gregory book about Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary. Jodhi May is fantastic as Anne Boleyn, but otherwise the movie is pedestrian and a little odd (the sisters speak directly to the camera as if they're participating in a TV reality show).

Movies

Anne of the Thousand Days. This movie about Anne Boleyn is inaccurate but fun to watch. Stars Genevieve Bujold as Anne and Richard Burton as Henry VIII. This DVD set also includes "Mary, Queen of Scots" starring Vanessa Redgrave.

Private Life of Henry VIII. Classic 1933 movie, starring Charles Laughton as a buffoonish King Henry.

The Other Boleyn Girl. This 2008 movie stars Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn, Scarlett Johansson as her sister, Mary, and Eric Bana as King Henry. An OK costume drama but nothing more.

A Man for All Seasons. A wonderful 1966 movie about Thomas More and Henry VIII. Paul Scofield won an Oscar for his portrayal of More. The movie also won Oscars for best director, best picture, best screenplay, best cinematography, and best costumes. Robert Shaw plays Henry VIII very well, and Orson Wells appears as Cardinal Wolsey.

A Man for All Seasons: A Play in Two Acts by Robert Bolt. The script of the play on which the movie was based.

Documentaries

The Six Wives of Henry VIII. David Starkey's excellent 2001 documentary miniseries about the king's wives.

National Geographic: Madness of Henry VIII. TV documentary with dramatic recreations and insights from experts.

More DVDs About the Tudor Dynasty

Music

Henry VIII: If Love Now Reigned. Music composed by Henry VIII, including "Pastime With Good Company" and "Departure Is My Chief Pain."

All Goodly Sports: Music of Henry VIII. Another collection of Henry VIII's music.