Aims of Henry VIII 1509-15

A-Level: History

The beginning of the 16th century was a period of transition, change and increasing definition of international status, civil life and religious implications. In 1509, Henry VIII was crowned King of England after the death of his father – King Henry VII – and his two brothers who had predeceased their father. As a young man Henry VIII was athletic and highly intelligent; one contempary observer at the time said of the king: “He speaks good French, Latin and Spanish; is very religious; heard three masses daily when he hunted…He is extremely fond of hunting, and never takes that diversion without tiring eight or ten horses…He is also fond of tennis.” At the time of his coronation, it is thought there was a true sense of expectation and excitement at the prospect of a new, vibrant and energetic king – much the opposite of his predecessor – and the success he would achieve. But during the 16th century, what was considered as success? In the eyes of King Henry VIII, success would have been achieving the aims he set out for his reign, and therefore if having completed these objectives, he would deem himself to have been a triumphant king. The aims of the king would also have changed throughout his reign, depending on the state of the nation, his life and also international current affairs – therefore his aims from 1509 to 1515 are really only his immediate intentions for establishing himself as an influential monarch in both the national and international community.
Hence, what were the aims of King Henry VIII from 1509-15 and how successful at achieving these objectives was he?
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