Lecture: Henry VIII’s four children



Places on our free events are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability.

John Guy explores the family drama of England’s wealthiest and most powerful king - a tale of jealousy, mutual distrust and often bitter sibling rivalry, simmering beneath the magnificent pageantry and stormy politics of the Tudor court. Henry fathered four living children, each by a different mother. Possessed of quick wit and strong wills, their characters were defined partly by the education they received, and partly by events over which they had little control. Henry’s children idolized their father but their actions and behaviour differed radically.

John Guy’s books include A Daughter’s Love: Thomas and Margaret More, Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel, Victim and My Heart is My Own:The Life of Mary Queen of Scots, which won the Whitbread Biography Award and the Marsh Biography Award. He appears regularly on radio and television. He also writes for national newspapers and magazines.