A.1 - Word spreads throughout the kingdom and the world that with the death of Henry VII, his son, Henry VIII, has now ascended to the throne with Katherine of Aragon at his side. What hopes or fears do you now have for the future of England?
"Heavenly Father," I had prayed, "I beseech you to give me the strength and the wisdom as befits a good and true King of England."
I was a boy, eleven years of age on the day I learned for certain that the throne for which my brother Arthur had been prepared his whole life was to pass to me, as well as the woman who was to be his Queen. For a boy who had known only his studies and that his destiny lay in the priesthood, the very idea that I could become King was as foreign a concept to me as was the idea of marrying Katherine. And so, in my confusion, I turned to God in search of solace and advice.
"Show me, O Lord, how I might prepare myself to one day take my own father's place on the throne. Help me learn how to rule fairly and how to be kind and loving towards my subjects as You are to Your good and loyal children." I remember frowning, trying to think of what else it was I believed a King did.
"Help me, O Lord, to have the strength to punish the unjust and the disloyal, and to defend England against all her enemies."Especially, I had thought to myself, against the French and the Spanish, the two great powers of Europe who I knew from hearing my own father speaking most loudly about them which could be staunch allies when such alliance suited them and dishonourable rivals all other times.
"Send me, O Lord, the wisdom and grace so that I might... might..." I searched for the word. "So that I might be a right and proper husband to Lady Katherine, and send me warmness of heart so I might one day love her as I should."
"Bless my reign and my court, Heavenly Father. May it be a great and glorious time for England. Let your praises be sung from every corner. Let the light of kindness and peace and compassion shine into every corner of London and all of England. Let the Kingdom be rich and prosperous, and let no man, woman or child go hungry or wanting. My the Reign of Henry VIII be known for its goodness and prosperity."
I left the chapel feeling somewhat relieved, but still shakingly nervous.
(392)
Henry Tudor
'The Tudors' (AU)
"Heavenly Father," I had prayed, "I beseech you to give me the strength and the wisdom as befits a good and true King of England."
I was a boy, eleven years of age on the day I learned for certain that the throne for which my brother Arthur had been prepared his whole life was to pass to me, as well as the woman who was to be his Queen. For a boy who had known only his studies and that his destiny lay in the priesthood, the very idea that I could become King was as foreign a concept to me as was the idea of marrying Katherine. And so, in my confusion, I turned to God in search of solace and advice.
"Show me, O Lord, how I might prepare myself to one day take my own father's place on the throne. Help me learn how to rule fairly and how to be kind and loving towards my subjects as You are to Your good and loyal children." I remember frowning, trying to think of what else it was I believed a King did.
"Help me, O Lord, to have the strength to punish the unjust and the disloyal, and to defend England against all her enemies."Especially, I had thought to myself, against the French and the Spanish, the two great powers of Europe who I knew from hearing my own father speaking most loudly about them which could be staunch allies when such alliance suited them and dishonourable rivals all other times.
"Send me, O Lord, the wisdom and grace so that I might... might..." I searched for the word. "So that I might be a right and proper husband to Lady Katherine, and send me warmness of heart so I might one day love her as I should."
"Bless my reign and my court, Heavenly Father. May it be a great and glorious time for England. Let your praises be sung from every corner. Let the light of kindness and peace and compassion shine into every corner of London and all of England. Let the Kingdom be rich and prosperous, and let no man, woman or child go hungry or wanting. My the Reign of Henry VIII be known for its goodness and prosperity."
I left the chapel feeling somewhat relieved, but still shakingly nervous.
(392)
Henry Tudor
'The Tudors' (AU)