Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

History's Worst F*ckboys: Henry VIII

Apr 25, 2025
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INSIGHT

Henry's Womanizing Myth

  • Henry VIII was not as promiscuous as popularly thought, with concrete evidence for only a few mistresses.
  • Flirtation and courtly love were common, and sex during pregnancy was usually avoided for safety.
INSIGHT

Henry's Chivalric Self-Image

  • Henry VIII saw himself as a chivalric romantic, inspired by Arthurian legends and courtly love.
  • His early image was of a youthful, handsome Renaissance prince with considerable intellect and physical prowess.
INSIGHT

Dark Side Preceded Injury

  • Henry's personality darkened not from a head injury but likely due to chronic pain and his bruised ego after a jousting accident.
  • His darker, paranoid side was evident early on with executions and ruthless actions after becoming king.
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