Watch Henry: Mind of a Tyrant

Name: Henry: Mind of a Tyrant
Genre: Documentary & Biography
Released: April 6, 2009
Cast: Laurence Spellman, Nick Sampson, David Starkey

2009
1 Season
7.8 (104)

Henry: Mind of a Tyrant is a historical documentary series from BBC, hosted by the renowned historian David Starkey. The show explores the life and reign of King Henry VIII, one of England's most infamous monarchs. The series consists of four episodes, with each episode examining a different aspect of Henry's life and legacy.

The first episode, titled "The Young King," focuses on Henry's early life and his ascent to the throne. Starkey delves into Henry's childhood and upbringing, discussing the influence of his parents and the various political and religious factors that shaped his worldview. He also looks at Henry's first years as king and his efforts to establish his authority over the English nobility.

The second episode, "The Power of the Image," examines Henry's obsession with portraiture and how he used his image to project power and authority. Starkey explores the artistic and cultural context of the Tudor period, showing how Henry's image was carefully crafted to reinforce his status as a powerful monarch. He also discusses Henry's relationships with notable artists and designers, such as Hans Holbein and Jean Clouet.

In the third episode, "The Six Wives," Starkey delves into one of the most infamous aspects of Henry's reign: his many marriages. He explores the motivations behind each of Henry's marriages, as well as the political and religious implications of his decisions. He also looks at the lives of each of Henry's wives, discussing their individual personalities and how they coped with life in the shadow of the king.

The final episode, "The End of the Tyranny," focuses on the later years of Henry's reign and his descent into tyranny. Starkey discusses the various political and religious crises that plagued England during this time, including the emergence of Protestantism, the Pilgrimage of Grace, and the break with Rome. He also examines Henry's deteriorating physical and mental health, and how this affected his ability to rule effectively.

Throughout the series, Starkey uses a mix of archival footage, dramatic reconstructions and expert commentary to bring Henry's story to life. He draws on a wide range of historical sources, including diaries, letters, and official documents, to provide a nuanced and insightful portrait of this complex and controversial figure.

Overall, Henry: Mind of a Tyrant is an engaging and informative look at one of England's most fascinating monarchs. Starkey's expertise and passion shine through in every episode, providing a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of Henry's life and legacy. Whether you're a history buff or simply interested in learning more about this influential historical figure, Henry: Mind of a Tyrant is well worth watching.

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Seasons

4. Tyrant (1533-1547)

April 27, 2009

The courtiers who had helped Cromwell dispatch Anne hoped that the Schism with Rome would now be healed. They were soon disabused. Henry was not going to let go of the power the Supremacy gave him. The destruction of the monasteries proceeded apace, with the loot flowing into Henry's coffers. Even the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge would have gone, had not Henry's third queen Jane Seymour interceded. But the orgy of iconoclasm provoked isolation abroad and rebellion at home. Henry's response showed him at his most duplicitous and ruthless. As Henry grew older, more ill, and more dangerous to all around him, he was busy forging a new English identity of a fiercely independent nation set at one remove from Europe.

3. Lover (1526-1536)

April 20, 2009

Henry began to pursue Anne in early 1526. But when Anne refused to become his mistress, Henry conceived the idea of marrying her which required a Papal annulment of his marriage to Katherine. This ought not to have posed a problem for a king, but David Starkey's research in the Vatican Archives has revealed the real story of Henry's futile six-year struggle to get what he wanted from Clement VII. During this time, Henry began to re-think the nature of the English monarchy. He came to believe that he had spiritual as well as temporal powers: that the King, not the Pope, should rule the Church in England. The result was the break with Rome, a new wife for Henry, and a new religion for his subjects. But the marriage did not last long.

2. Warrior (1509-1525)

April 13, 2009

This episode traces Henry's quest to become a major player in Europe, his successes at the Battle of the Spurs and the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and his eventual humiliation after the Battle of Pavia. Throughout these years his relationship with the brilliant, Machiavellian Thomas Wolsey was central to his reign. But even Wolsey could not disguise the relative impotence of England and her monarchy when compared to the great European powers. By 1525 Henry was having a classic mid-life crisis, with the all too familiar desire to replace his ageing spouse with a younger model. But Henry's infatuation with Anne Boleyn would change the face of England and alter European power politics for centuries to come.

1. Prince (1485-1509)

April 6, 2009

This episode will follow the dramatic events of Henry's childhood, events that shaped his personality and his attitude to kingship. The death of his brother Arthur made Henry Prince of Wales, and his father's heir and rival. The episode will conclude with Henry's accession, his hasty marriage to his brothers widow, Katherine of Aragon, and their joint coronation.

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