Реферат: Henry VIII And Louis XIV Essay Research
or otherwise humiliated. A quick rundown: Katharine Aragon of Spain, Henry?s
first bride. She was banished from royal view and stripped of her title after
she failed to produce sons and Henry fell in love with a young lady in waiting
named Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn: was executed for adultery and charges of
witchcraft. Jane Seymour: recorded in history as the only wife Henry truly
loved. Died a few weeks after giving birth to Henry?s much wanted son. Anne of
Cleves: Princess of Germany who was not beautiful in Henry?s eyes, and was sent
away. Catherine Howard: Commoner executed for adultery. Catherine Parr:
Outlived Henry.
Henry jousted in many tournaments until a leg injury prevented this type
of activity. He also grew quite ill and obese in later life, but never lost his
love of sports and other athletic activities.
Louis XIV liked to watch the tournaments more than he liked to actually
participate in them. But his libidinous habits did not differ much from those
of his neighbor across the Channel. He was married to Queen Marie Therese, but
reportedly had at least ten other mistresses at one time. He had three children
by his wife, but supposedly twelve other illegitimate children by his mistresses.
It was, in fact, some of these personal habits that led to the downfalls
of the monarchs.
Henry VIII, who had been the great ?Defender of the Faith? in his
earlier years, was in a bit of a dilemma. He no longer wanted to be married to
his aging wife, devoutly Catholic Katharine of Aragon. He was in love with a
young lady named Anne Boleyn. Any Catholic knows that divorce is frowned upon.
But in order to marry Anne, Henry needed this divorce. He broke from the
Catholic church, and, with the help of Thomas Cromwell, another top advisor,
created the Church of England. Unfortunately, to wipe out all cells of
opposition, Henry was forced to destroy many who did not support this break with
the Church.
Another thing contributing to Henry?s downfall was his illness. Legend