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3:20 pm
February 16, 2009
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The Historic Royal Palaces are asking the following question on their Henry VIII: Heads and Hearts message board:-
If Henry VIII was still alive today, but wasn't a king, what do you think he would be? A gangster, rock star or politician?
I thought it would be interesting to explore the same question here.
The first person I thought of was Tony Soprano because of:-
- his mistresses
- the fact that he wants to protect his interests and those of his family at all costs even if it means “whacking” close friends and family
- the fact that he is head of a dynasty
- he is a larger than life character
- he's got psychological problems
However, at least Tony loves and looks after Carmella and the kids, the same can't be said about Henry! What do you think?
See http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonC…..board.aspx to add your own comment to the Historic Royal Palaces message board.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
4:19 pm
June 24, 2009
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Without the pressures of kingship he would have continued along the lines of his early life and interests – possibly becoming a great sportsman, due to his commanding physique, energy and competitive spirit. Alternatively, I do rather see him as a celebrity chef in later life.
8:48 pm
June 23, 2009
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He would have been a politician, then when his scandalous private life was discovered, he would have embezzled millions and took off to a private island probably setting himself up as a dictator there with drug lord connections.
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
5:50 pm
June 19, 2009
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Mmm…
It is hard to compare 500 years ago with present day, however, I think it might be Politics, or something more sinister?
Lets play it out and see…
His position as King was pre Monarchy and he was defacto sole ruler of his kingdom and a devious Politician.
He changed political alliances in Europe like he changed mistresses and his legacy lives on today as modern England
Henry VIII's changes to day to day life as his subjects knew it, would make most of todays modern political leaders blush!
He certainly in my book suffered greatly from \”The King's new clothes\” syndrome, something that repeats in political spheres to this day, looking around the world, its coming around again. It is hard to compare but how do today's political leaders stack up;
Bill C in the US got impeached for his Liaison with an intern, he did alot for his country otherwise.
More recently, a US state governor followed his heart to Argentina but forgot his wife and kids at home and the political mess he created for himself.
In Italy, they want to give Silvio B medals for over-partying with the ladies?
It is impossible to compare Henry VIII to these, I do think.
In the \”nothing surprises me any more\” political Digest, one has to go to Latin America, where the trend seems to be that of \”Emperor\” rather than President. Giving the lower classes more to eat and changing the laws to allow them to be President for ever, I understand this to be \”Emperor\”.
\”Emperor\” Hugo C does a twice weekly 4 hour TV Broadcast a \”Big Brother\” view of his weekly life with a bit of Karaoke thrown in, accompanied by \”Emperor\” C on guitar, no real comparison to Henry here either.
But what about Vladimir P in Russia, he had a public tongue flogging of the top CEO's on national TV last week, very Henryesque indeed. I did not have to understand Russian to see how he made them feel.
Missing from the TV show was a former Oil tycoon Mikhail K, who in in Russia's equivalent of the Tower for having political aspirations but going about it in the wrong way…
Oh! there was a tax problem for him too! not really Henry either.
so in conclusion,
I believe in my heart of hearts that if Henry was around today,
he would be cold, calculating and uncaring.
He would travel the length and breath of his Kingdom dispensing the Law as he saw fit.
No matter if you are Lord or Lady, Lawyer or Lout, old or young, Henry will get you…
because he would be a Traffic Warden!
But watch out Henry, because there is a real live super hero roaming the streets and he is your mortal enemy…
YouTube – Superhero Rescues Illegally Parked Cars
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
8:05 pm
June 23, 2009
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I hate to be a poop here but Bill C. wasn't impeached (they tried and boy did they) but he served out his term.
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
6:52 am
June 24, 2009
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Hey Paudie, we could do with that guy when we do the Ludlow Castle job!
9:41 am
June 19, 2009
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Oops Gwenne,
I stand corrected,
I have much admiration for Bill C for all the other stuff he did though.
I will always think of him in the tireless efforts he made on my Island of Ireland.
We have peace in the north of Ireland and in no small way thanks to William Jefferson C.
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
9:46 am
June 19, 2009
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Hi Sarah,
(Sorry, just like the name so much…)
We will have to get much equipment for our expedition or will it be a crusade?
What if Anglegrinderman is on Twitter?
What would he write?
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
10:21 pm
July 9, 2009
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Gwenne, Bill Clinton was impeached. Impeachment is just the process of bringing up charges, not the actual ousting.
Also, lol @ Paudie. I could see Henry as an overzealous traffic warden!
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
2:12 am
June 23, 2009
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Yes impeachment is a process…however Clinton was not impeached. He was acquitted. here's a link
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
2:14 am
June 23, 2009
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Yes impeachment is a process..no Clinton was not impeached (to be removed from office) he was acquitted of all charges and served out the rest of his term..here's a link
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
12:32 pm
June 23, 2009
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sorry about the triple post here, when I posted I forgot that the site was down and couldnt get it to post
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
6:11 pm
July 9, 2009
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Sorry to be a stickler and I know we are completely off topic here, but the trial is the impeachment, regardless of its outcome-http://www.infoplease.com/spot/impeach.html.
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
6:53 pm
June 19, 2009
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What I really wanted to impress is the regard to the attitude taken in modern times to Bill C's liaisons and Henry's.
Times and much more about the scenarios are different but it was how they were dealt with and perceived.
What position is or was (or is not?) above the law then and now.
While is is important to be correct in what we say, the bottom line with Bill C regardless of the trial, it that is was not brushed aside and the very man who was elevated by Bill set about taking him down, albeit by the rule of Law.
There are many comparisons in leaders actions in modern times to Henry's, with quite different treatment to those leaders and the women of their fancy, its really the point that I wanted to make.
So it only leaves the position of Traffic warden for poor old Henry?
Or could he possibly be a doorman at a club?
\”Not with those shoes, my good Lord…\”
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
8:59 pm
July 9, 2009
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I could also see him in the army, since, in the words of David Starkey, war was \”Henry's first love.\” Or, alternately, as an American police officer, the kind of person who takes the job just to be able to abuse people and get away with it. I like that idea…I could definitely see Henry giving someone a traffic ticket and then tazing them when the complained.
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
5:47 am
June 20, 2009
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I think he could be some type of politician.. and if he doesn't have the pressure of producing a boy, as we are now equal in this time, he might be married happily to someone..
then again.. some politicians are not happy with what they have. he would fit right in..
Let not my enemies sit as my jury
2:11 pm
July 24, 2009
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Has anyone considered, besides me, that in the age of reality t.v., Henry VIII might well get his own show?
Other than updating his court a bit, having a small truce and then a small skirmish with France and then another feeble truce, finally (incidentally) causing a religious reformation in his own nation due to having the hots for Anne Boleyn, I don't really feel that Henry was much of a leader myself. So I tend to rule out his being in politics unless it turned out to be in some dynasty-fueled, passing-of-the-torch-on-to-the-next-foolish-generation plan, pre-conceived by someone with more skill.
By the way, yes, Bill Clinton was impeached–impeachment is the whole process, but he was acquitted rather than found guilty–hence he didn't have to leave office. Comparisons to Clinton don't strike me much as suitable for Henry as Clinton, despite his tomfoolery, did seem to manage to keep a level head in the midst of the storm.
6:16 pm
February 16, 2009
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Yes, Henry would have loved to have a reality TV show about him, a bit like The Osbornes!! He would love the fame and the chance to show the world his lavish lifestyle, he was always out to impress wasn't he?
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
1:12 am
June 24, 2009
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Claire said:
Yes, Henry would have loved to have a reality TV show about him, a bit like The Osbornes!! He would love the fame and the chance to show the world his lavish lifestyle, he was always out to impress wasn't he?
Can you see him perhaps in a Tudor version of 'Big Brother?'
Who would be the last one to leave the house? And how would the others be disposed of?
Makes your blood run cold just thinking about it.
