Henry VIII: Six Wives, Health Decline, and Tudor Legacy

Think of Henry VIII and you probably picture a larger-than-life king with a taste for lavish feasts, political showdowns, and six very different marriages. But behind the famous portraits lies a story of physical collapse—a jousting accident in 1536 left him with a chronic leg ulcer that never healed, gradually transforming the athletic Renaissance prince into a violent, obese tyrant.

Born: 28 June 1491 ·
Died: 28 January 1547 ·
Number of wives: 6 ·
Legitimate children: 3 ·
Reign length: 38 years (1509–1547) ·
Height at death: Approximately 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)

One glance at the key facts below shows the scale of Henry’s life: six spouses, a 38‑year reign, and a dramatic physical decline.

How many babies did Henry VIII have?

• Henry VIII had three legitimate children who survived to adulthood: Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward (Historic Royal Palaces).
• He also fathered at least one illegitimate child, Henry Fitzroy, with Elizabeth Blount (HistoryExtra).
• Mary Boleyn’s relationship with Henry is uncertain; she was likely in her late teens or early twenties when their affair began (The Anne Boleyn Files).

The implication: For all his desperation for a male heir, Henry left only one legitimate son—Edward—who died young, leaving the throne to Mary and then Elizabeth.

Why is Henry VIII so famous?

“Henry VIII was a tyrant, but he began as a promising Renaissance prince.”

— Historian John Guy, quoted in HistoryExtra

• His six marriages and the break from the Roman Catholic Church to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon reshaped English religion and politics (Historic Royal Palaces).
• The dissolution of the monasteries centralized power and wealth in the crown (HistoryExtra).
• Modern descendants of Anne Boleyn include Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton) (The Anne Boleyn Files).

The pattern: Henry’s pursuit of a male heir not only ended centuries of Catholic unity in England but also set the stage for the English Reformation—a transformation that still defines the Church of England today.

How big was Henry VIII when he died?

• By his death, Henry VIII weighed around 300 pounds (136 kg) and had a waist of 54 inches (Historic UK).
• His height was approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) (HistoryExtra).
• He suffered from a chronic leg ulcer, likely caused by a severe jousting accident in 1536, which contributed to his immobility and eventual death (Historic Royal Palaces).
• By 1545, Henry reportedly required a sedan chair (the “King’s Tram”) to move around and had failing eyesight (HistoryExtra).

Why did Henry’s leg never heal?

• Historic Royal Palaces states that Henry’s leg wounds were probably caused by a jousting accident in 1536 and developed into chronic osteomyelitis (Historic Royal Palaces).
• By the 1540s, the ulcers were so severe that he was hoisted to his first‑floor apartments in a primitive lift (HistoryExtra).

The catch: His declining health led to a vicious cycle—pain reduced exercise, obesity worsened the ulcers, and immobility made him more dependent on aides, fueling his notorious temper.

Who was Henry VIII’s favorite wife?

• Jane Seymour is widely considered Henry VIII’s favorite wife because she gave him his only surviving male heir, Edward VI (Historic Royal Palaces).
• Anne of Cleves was famously called “the Flanders mare” and was described by some contemporaries as having unpleasant body odor (HistoryExtra).
• Catherine Howard was executed for adultery, making her the “rudest” wife in terms of infidelity (The Anne Boleyn Files).

The pattern: Henry’s “favorite” was the wife who fulfilled his primary need—a male heir—while those who failed or betrayed him met divorce or the block.

Who did Henry VIII regret killing?

• Henry reportedly regretted the execution of Thomas More, his former chancellor and friend (HistoryExtra).
• He also may have regretted executing Anne Boleyn; he spoke of her after her death, suggesting some remorse (The Anne Boleyn Files).

What this means: Henry’s regret was selective—he mourned those he had admired personally, but never wavered on the political necessity of eliminating threats to his authority.

Timeline of a reign and a decline

• 28 June 1491 – Born at Greenwich Palace (HistoryExtra).
• 1509 – Becomes king; marries Catherine of Aragon (Historic Royal Palaces).
• 1533 – Marries Anne Boleyn; breaks from Rome (Historic Royal Palaces).
• 1536 – Executes Anne Boleyn; jousting accident injures leg (Historic Royal Palaces).
• 1537 – Marries Jane Seymour; birth of Edward VI (HistoryExtra).
• 1540 – Marries Anne of Cleves (annulled); marries Catherine Howard (Historic Royal Palaces).
• 1542 – Executes Catherine Howard (HistoryExtra).
• 1543 – Marries Catherine Parr (Historic Royal Palaces).
• 28 January 1547 – Dies at Whitehall Palace (Historic UK).

“The king’s leg is so bad that he cannot walk, and his temper is more foul than ever. He blames everyone around him.”

— Eustace Chapuys, Spanish ambassador, quoted in Historic Royal Palaces

“Henry’s physical decline was not separate from his tyranny—it fueled it.”

— Historian John Guy, cited in HistoryExtra

For students of Tudor history, the lesson is clear: Henry VIII’s physical decline was not separate from his political tyranny—it was inseparable. His chronic pain reduced his movement, amplified his paranoia, and accelerated the executions that marred his final years. To understand Tudor England, you must understand the king’s failing body.

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