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8:42 am
June 24, 2009
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I guess we have most of us overhead this kind of conversation in a pub or a party or some such place. Usually it is some poor soul undergoing a break-up or a divorce and we overhear something like, ‘that Henry the Eighth, though, he had the right idea, didn’t he!’
It seems that deep down there is a kind of admiration in certain quarters about good king Hal and his way of dealing with troublesome spouses.
It is also amazing some of the misconceptions around regarding the history of the period. Some people, for example, think that Henry had all six wives at the same time. Like a kind of harem. Others that he beheaded all six!
I think there a lot of guys out there facing divorce and maintenance costs and so on who would quite like to have been that kind of fictitious Henry. Then there is that old Carry-On movie – remember, Sid James as the King? That got a few laughs. And of course now he is a TV soap opera star, and terribly good looking to-boot! He doesn’t smell awful and doesn’t age or get fat like the real king did? Yes, some men do quite like Henry, deep down. It is true. Any observations? What do you think?
10:27 am
June 19, 2009
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Don't know Sarah,
I sometimes have to write things down, to feel them properly, excuse me if I \”Forrest Gump' a bit.
I know for myself that it would not be any kind of admiration, when I think of it yes I have heard that sentence uttered,
\”Henry VIII had the right idea\”. Usually, the attitude explains why they are outside of their relationship looking back in.
A movie that I sometimes watch when I'm feeling off colour is \”The Beach\” Lenardo De Caprio says a line in the movie (like)
\”The things that attract you to someone first, those little idiosyncrasies that you think are cute. They are the very traits that you find annoying at the end of the relationship\”.
The bit about Henry and Anne that always has me thinking is why did she die? Why not an obscure Castle or Convent for her?
Henry went through all the trouble of \”his great matter\” but Katherine was not sent to the Tower to die?
Any guy who thinks that Henry VIII had the right idea, should look at his own ability to be in a relationship. It would indicate to me that they would come up a few fries short in the shared happy meal of Love!
Did Henry really love his women? I am starting to have my doubts.
Paudie
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
10:45 am
February 16, 2009
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Feedback from hubbie – \”yes, it would be good sometimes to behead the wife and change her for a new one at a whim, especially when she is asking me to do something to her website BUT at the end of the day, just like Henry, the change would not bring happiness, he should have stuck with Anne, one change is probably ok (Catherine was boring).\”
Direct quote from my husband of nearly 14 years (will there be a 15th?!) – cheers, Tim!
Yes, I think men are envious of the apparent ease with which Henry flitted from one marriage to another PLUS all the mistresses he had. However, they're probably not envious of his foul smelling leg, impotence and all his health problems. If they could be Jonathan Rhys Meyers for ever and bed every woman around, without any hassle, then I'm sure they'd love it!!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
11:59 am
June 19, 2009
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We are all prone to the odd fantasy or two, the male of the species maybe more?
there is an old saying that \”you don't get a whole cow if you just want a glass of milk\”
but the nature of our being is to want companionship and Love.
While Love is an important ingredient in a relationship, there is much more needed to keep it going. Much more.
Did Henry have the right idea to put wives to death for infidelity? How many men would now be headless at this very minute if Henry had the right idea?
When a relationship is over, its over and all the Kings horses and all the Kings men wont put it back together again.
A peculiar thing on the Love emotion is that is has a parallel in the hate emotion, in so far as we can hate with equal passion. When a relationship gets to this stage, I think it is time to move.
My feeling on Henry is that he was indifferent and devoid of those Love and Hate emotions. He did have this respect thing going on for his mother though, maybe this can tell us a little more about him and his emotional abilities or lack of them.
The male of the species have the ability to think on two levels, We were never given enough blood to make the two thought processes work at the same time, if you know what I mean! (Henry sure did every chance he got!)
I don't think OJ won any respect from his trial or for being \”found not guilty\” even.
That is if we wanted to make a comparison with our times. Do you think that the same people would think that OJ had the right idea, if in fact he was guilty behind it all?
Any one who thinks that Henry had the right idea should visit The Tower Green monument at the Tower of London. While there, Read the names and what is written on the monument then close ones eyes and reflect on what happened to the victims of \”Henry's Love\” there almost 500 years ago.
If this does not change the attitude, I would think that they are not relationship material and should be left in Beauchamps Tower to dawdle on the walls until they come to their senses.
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
12:16 pm
June 24, 2009
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Well spoken Paudie! You may be a fella but you know what … you're all right!
1:05 pm
February 16, 2009
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Does that mean I can leave my husband at the Tower?!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
2:12 pm
June 19, 2009
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Thank you Sarah,
life has taught me many lessons in relationships, I still think that having ones principles in relationships is an endearing thing. I am still Loves greatest fool, as I wrote that piece for Claire.
I had a pretty bad break up a year ago on Wednesday next, so I have had a year to reflect. I got to do a lot this last year on my own. Rather than spend Christmas and new year (my birthday is in the middle of that too) cold and miserable alone, I went to Cuba and had a ball. I was alone on my birthday, but in Costa Este on the beach just outside Havana in 30 degrees and a smile on my face.
missed all the old movie repeats on TV, but Willy Wonka, eat your chocolate heart out!
Part of my attrition to myself was a trip to the Tower of London on the 19th of May last and visit a while on that auspicious day with the lady who professed her Love for her husband on the gallows,
Anne Boleyn.
Don't know all the \”why's\” for going there, but glad I did and still think it one of the best days that I have spent for my inner self, certainly in the last year.
I did stand on Tower Green with my eyes shut and reflect that day, it gave me understanding with much more to think about, if you know what I mean, think you do Sarah.
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
2:23 pm
June 19, 2009
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Ha Claire!
Maybe we should make a rule that all partners will be billeted at Beauchamps Tower for the duration of our trip next Anne Boleyn day. we can I'm sure, get crayons and some paper for them. Just to level out their thinking, it will help their understanding?
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
6:18 pm
June 23, 2009
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Well…of course alot of men would admire Henry. And why not? Get rid of troublesome wives, check. King of all he surveys? check. Get anything and everything one could ever want? check. Discard anyone who stands in your way? check. Eat, eat, eat, and eat some more until only a crane hoist can get you in and out of bed and people still tell you how handsome and sexy you are? check. Have everyone bow and scrape before you? check. Doesn't seem like a bad life to alot of men I would suppose, until you began to realize that truthfully, nobody really loves you for you. No one really doesn't care (outside of their heads being attached to their necks), and no one will ever tell you the real unvarnished truth. You may be admired, but deep down, everyone just percieves you for the obnoxious fat disgusting oaf you really are. Not so great after all, eh?
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
1:43 am
February 16, 2009
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Brilliant answer, Gwenne! In the book I've just read (\”The Other Tudors\”), Philippa Jones talks about how Henry was a hopeless romantic always looking for Miss Right, someone who was the perfect woman, like his mother, but this fantastical woman just did not exist. In concentrating on looking for what he wanted and what he'd get out of a relationship, I think Henry forgot about what he had to offer and I think many men forget this. Huge old guy with personal hygiene problems, an alcohol problem, inherent laziness and past wife beater etc. \”Yes, I could do with a Katie Price/Jordan look-a-like to marry next but she'd have to have a good job to look after me\”! Hmmm.
I think that Anne was probably the only one to ever be honest with Henry, rather than telling him what he wanted to hear, and Henry just couldn't handle that after a while. Sad.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
5:38 am
June 24, 2009
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gwenne said:
Well…of course alot of men would admire Henry. And why not? Get rid of troublesome wives, check. King of all he surveys? check. Get anything and everything one could ever want? check. Discard anyone who stands in your way? check. Eat, eat, eat, and eat some more until only a crane hoist can get you in and out of bed and people still tell you how handsome and sexy you are? check. Have everyone bow and scrape before you? check. Doesn't seem like a bad life to alot of men I would suppose, until you began to realize that truthfully, nobody really loves you for you. No one really doesn't care (outside of their heads being attached to their necks), and no one will ever tell you the real unvarnished truth. You may be admired, but deep down, everyone just percieves you for the obnoxious fat disgusting oaf you really are. Not so great after all, eh?
gweene, what a great answer. I think this question was just waiting for you to come along and give it your special treatment! You might have lost your head for it, but you would certainly have gone down telling the old b….@** the truth!
12:34 pm
June 23, 2009
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I probably wouldn't have lost my head..just been drawn, quartered, and burnt as the witch I am lol! I wouldn't have lasted as long as Anne did, probably cause I would have told ole Henry off in a about the first ten minutes..I'm like that..
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
6:39 pm
July 9, 2009
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gwenne said:
Well…of course alot of men would admire Henry. And why not? Get rid of troublesome wives, check. King of all he surveys? check. Get anything and everything one could ever want? check. Discard anyone who stands in your way? check. Eat, eat, eat, and eat some more until only a crane hoist can get you in and out of bed and people still tell you how handsome and sexy you are? check. Have everyone bow and scrape before you? check. Doesn't seem like a bad life to alot of men I would suppose, until you began to realize that truthfully, nobody really loves you for you. No one really doesn't care (outside of their heads being attached to their necks), and no one will ever tell you the real unvarnished truth. You may be admired, but deep down, everyone just percieves you for the obnoxious fat disgusting oaf you really are. Not so great after all, eh?
lol so true. i'm glad Henry is known nowadays mainly for his wives, when he would have wanted to be known as \”Henry the Great\” or something.
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
7:57 pm
February 16, 2009
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Uh oh, Melissa, you're going to get into trouble with the David Starkey brigade if you say that Henry is known only for his wives – you'll get accused of feminising history and all that rubbish! But yes, I find it quite satisfying that Henry is known for his wives, they got their revenge in the end and as much as he was \”great\” in that he created the English navy, blah, blah, blah, the women actually win!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
5:36 am
June 20, 2009
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I think men nowadays would love the power, but not the responsibility. To have everyone at your feet, being denied almost nothing, it's enticing..
Knowing me, I would've been found of some trumped up charge like Anne, only because like her, I am not afraid to speak my mind. And I wouldn't feel any regret for opening my mouth… No one should be allowed to treat others that way, especially family..
Let not my enemies sit as my jury
6:14 pm
February 16, 2009
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I definitely would not have survived as a wife of Henry, much too outspoken for my own good and perhaps that's why I can relate to Anne!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
9:53 am
February 24, 2010
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Ok so living with my husband I would defintely say men like Henry VIII because of all his wives and mistress and being King. My husband and I just watched the Tudors Series together and one of the first things my husband said was ” HenryVIII was the Man! He got tired of one Bi*! Ch and chopped her head of and went to the next!” Now mind you he doesnt have the same respect I have for Henrys wives so his staement is a kinda offensive. He also tried to pull the “Kiss my ring” line on me which of course was not happing. I inturn said do you want me to go Anne Boleyn on you (haha). Im very outspoken and I wouldnt have lasted a day with Henry I would have said so many things against the way he was he probably would have cut my head off too! Also not that they had any knowledge of this back then but if I traveled back to his time I would let him know it was his fault for not having a son with Anne after all its the male who determines what the baby's sex is going to be not the women we only have XX while they have XY so whether you give and X or Y is completely up to you! LoL
Anne's Admirer
10:34 am
June 20, 2009
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Even if Henry knew that it was the male who decides the sex of the child, he would probably still blame Anne for producing girls. He would never admit fault within himself. He was too full of himself to see that he was not perfect.. LOL
My fiancee just laughs when he watches the Tudors with me. He admits that it might be fun, but he likes my fiery temper and would not behead me.
Let not my enemies sit as my jury
