In the annals of British history, there seemed to be no stone left unturned when it came to the notorious King Henry VIII. However, a revelation recently came to light, thanks to the diligent research of Professor Micheline White from Carleton University in Ottawa. While studying at the Wormsley Library in Buckinghamshire, England, White stumbled upon a set of doodles that had evaded royal historians for over five centuries.
These annotations, written by King Henry VIII himself, were found in the margins of a prayer book from the 1500s. They shed new light on the inner thoughts of the infamous monarch towards the end of his reign. White noted that the doodles conveyed Henry’s anxiety and preoccupation with his physical suffering. It appeared that the King believed he was being punished by God for his sins.
King Henry VIII’s reign was marked by his tumultuous personal life. Not only did he behead two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, but he also divorced two others, Katherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves. His third wife, Jane Seymour, died shortly after childbirth, and his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, outlived him. He was also known for executing advisers who challenged him and monks who refused to convert to the Church of England after his split from the Roman Catholic Church.
White’s accidental discovery of the doodles has provided a window into Henry’s mindset during this tumultuous period. The doodles, known as manicules, were found next to passages in the prayer book expressing pleas for relief from suffering and a desire for God’s mercy. Evidently, when Henry made these annotations, he was plagued by persistent leg ulcers and was approaching the end of his life.
Surprisingly, the doodles reveal a more vulnerable side of King Henry VIII. Historians had typically viewed him as confident and assured, but these annotations show his concerns about straying from the right path and falling into error. Experts believe that this finding could significantly impact popular perceptions of Henry and provide new insights into his private struggles.
The implications of this discovery are not lost on scholars. Justin Vovk, a PhD candidate specializing in royal history at McMaster University, believes that it has the potential to reshape our understanding of Henry’s reign. Michiko Suzuki, a professor at the University of Miami and one of the editors of the peer-reviewed journal Renaissance Quarterly where White published her findings, commends her detective work.
The annotations made by Henry VIII were likely influenced by his last wife, Catherine Parr, who played a more collaborative and reciprocal role in their marriage. White suggests that the doodles reflect the political influence and literary activities of Parr, who published three books—a remarkable feat for a queen consort. It appears that Henry valued and treasured the prayer book, using it for self-reflection and as a means of governing his own kingdom.
These extraordinary findings by Professor Micheline White have shed new light on King Henry VIII and his inner struggles. They have added another layer to the complex and fascinating personality of one of Britain’s most infamous rulers. As White’s research continues to captivate scholars, it is clear that the legacy of King Henry VIII is far from being fully understood.
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