For those of you who missed it, here's a short summary of part of Dr Suzannah Lipscomb's talk, "Prince to Tyrant", which she gave on behalf of the Mary Rose Museum on 3rd March, 2011.
In 1536 Henry suffered a terrible blow. Not the one to his head in his jousting accident, but one below the belt.
During his trial for treason, George Boleyn, brother and alleged lover (although there is no evidence to back this up) of Anne Boleyn had been presented with a note accusing Henry VIII of being impotent. Which he read out aloud. In front of the entire court. Of about 2,000 very important people.
The accusations of infidelity, however unfounded, spread amongst the court, and would reach both friends and enemies overseas. During the Tudor period infidelity against a man was considered a sign that he was unable to control his household. In the case of the King, this could be a sign that he was weak as a man, and therefore as a king, and a weak King is no use at all, and easily deposed. This meant Henry had to go on a PR offensive.
His first act was to marry his new favourite, Jane Seymour. This happened within a month of Anne’s alleged infidelities coming to light, and if you accept the evidence that Henry showed no signs of getting rid of Anne, it makes this very much a whirlwind romance, or, if you’re cynical, a rebound marriage, just to show he’s still got it.
His main, and most enduring act of self empowerment though was the change in his public image. Before 1536, all Henry’s portraits showed him looking to one side, a noble and regal king. Post-1536, however, he starts staring at the viewer, challenging them almost. His legs are spread, his shoulders broader, and his hands are on his hips. If you take the two triangles this forms, you end up on the royal loins, further embellished with a colourful codpiece with decoration. This is an image of a fertile, powerful man, with whom you frankly do not mess.
And it’s been an enduring image, even subconsciously. Compare the images below, of Henry VIII and a more recent embodiment of masculinity. Broad shoulders, the hands on the hips with fists clenched, the legs splayed, the emphasis on the loins...
If you want to know more about Henry's Annus Horribilis, you can purchase a copy of Dr Suzannah Lipscomb's book, 1536: The Year that changed Henry VIII.
Mary Rose 500
