Henry VIII Quotes

“News of the death of James V on 14 December gave even further cause for rejoicing, because his heir was a week-old girl, the infant Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland would be subject to yet another weakening regency—it had endured six during the past 150 years—and should give no further trouble.”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“The story was certainly current at court, and in 1535 a Member of Parliament, Sir George Throckmorton, accused Henry to his face of 'meddling' with both Anne's mother and sister Mary.
'Never with the mother,' Henry said.”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“Since mediaeval times, the King had been seen as two bodies in one: a mortal entity and “the King’s person,” representing unending royal authority; monarchs therefore referred to themselves in the plural form as “we.”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“Be well advised what ye put in his head, for ye shall never pull it out again.”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“He never lost an opportunity to proclaim “his zeal for the faith with all the resources of his mind and body,”23 and one of his gold chains bore the inscription PLUS TOST MORIR QUE CHANGER MA PENSEE (I prefer to die rather than change my mind).24”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“Henry VIII owned more than eight hundred carpets,”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court

“Swearing, drunkenness, “haunting bad houses,” fighting, and drawing graffiti—hugh penises were a favourite—on the palace walls were all punishable by warnings,”
― Alison Weir, Henry VIII: The King and His Court