Henry VIII was (along with his daughter Elizabeth) one of the two most famous Tudor monarchs. He reigned from 1509 to 1547, making him one of the longest of English rulers.

Slim, dashing and very intelligent when he was young, Henry became fat, grumpy and scheming as he got older. He remained a great politician throughout his life.

Henry broke with the Roman Catholic church and founded the Church of England.

He had six wives (Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. He had a son, Edward and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth.