Henry Viii

Six marriages, two annulments, two beheadings and the founding of his own Church, against the authority of Rome... in his search for a suitable spouse, the notorious Tudor King of England Henry VIII shrank from nothing. Here we focus on the amorous and political intrigues surrounding the annulment of Henry's first marriage to Catherine of Aragon in favour of his new passion for Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII, a grand historical opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, is characterised by stark contrasts: ardour and modesty, jealousy and renunciation, intimacy and solemnity. La Monnaie in Brussels have entrusted their new production to director Olivier Py and conductor Alain Altinoglu, two fervent champions of the French repertoire. With magnificent sets, high drama and compelling music, this production offers a musical journey which starts in sixteenth century England but still resonates today through a timeless question: How far can a man of power go with his conquests?

Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant is a history documentary series on Henry VIII of England presented by David Starkey. It premiered on Channel 4 from 6 to 27 April 2009.

During the reign of Henry VIII much was created buildings, music, artworks. Did this compensate for the destruction of the monastries and their treasures?

Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced, beheaded, survived - This children s rhyme accurately depicts the sometimes gruesome outcome of Henry VIII s six wives, and is a catchy reminder of how a king at the height of his power manipulated the law for his own gratification. The iconic figure of Henry VIII conjures images of opulence and excess but also of a man with a vicious cruel streak that would send two of his wives to the executioner. However, as this DVD shows, he was also a caring and loving husband desperate for a male heir...desperate enough to kill.

King Henry VIII would marry no fewer than six times, in pursuit of not only a male heir, but also of love. It's easy to see that Henry is the most infamous English King, and is remembered half a millennium later for his tyrannous rule.

Thomas Cromwell has gone down in history as one of the most corrupt and manipulative ruffians ever to hold power in England. A chief minister who used his position to smash the Roman Catholic church in England and loot the monasteries for his own gain. A man who used torture to bring about the execution of the woman who had once been his friend and supporter - Anne Boleyn. Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the history of the church at Oxford University, reveals a very different image of Cromwell. He describes Cromwell as an evangelical reformer, determined to break the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church and introduce the people of England to a new type of Christianity in which each individual makes direct contact with God.

Rick Wakeman's "The Six Wives Of Henry VIII" is one of the landmark albums of the seventies, a critical and commercial success that has sold in excess of 15 million copies worldwide. In May 2009, Rick Wakeman finally achieved his long held dream of performing the entire album live at Hampton Court Palace. It was the first time the whole album had ever been performed in concert & included the Henry VIII track "Defender Of The Faith," that had to be cut from the original album for space reasons, plus new opening and closing pieces. The two spectacular sell out concerts were a never to be repeated event and this Blu-ray shows why they will live long the memory of all those fortunate enough to attend.

Drawing on present day experts and historical records, this program catapults viewers back to the tumult and high drama of the Tudor period to depict an astounding story of sexual intrigue and royal politicking.

Divorced, beheaded and died; divorced, beheaded, survived. Henry VIII married no less than six times during his reign as King of England. Get to know the six women that Henry married, and the influence these Queens had on the King and the country which they served.

Henry VIII has just married Marie of Normandy, and is eager to consummate their marriage. Unfortunately for Henry, she is always eating garlic, and refuses to stop. Deciding to get rid of her in his usual manner, Henry has to find some way of doing it without provoking war with Marie's cousin, the King of France. Perhaps if she had an affair...