Bluff King Hal

On this day in 1491,
King Henry VIII was born.

He was not a very nice King. We all know the history of his six wives. In addition to a couple of THEIR beheadings, the political executions during the reign of King Henry VIII numbers around 72,000.

A very brief history of his reign in part:

His reign was during the Protestant Reformation that was going on through parts of Europe. King Henry VIII was Catholic, and had even written a book criticizing Martin Luther. But in later years, he found it politically beneficial to break with the Papacy in Rome. So he established himself as Supreme Head of the Church of England.

He died at age 56, in debt and in ill health, after 38 years of not reigning very nicely.

(And you can read more about "Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and also of Ireland in Earth Supreme Head" at your local library!)