David Starkey on Henry VIII "Tudor Obama"

[thisiswho2]

Well at least, Michelle doesn't get called Flanders Mare or is ordered to have her head chopped off.

[kendahke]

I see what he's saying. He's basically talking about all of the hope that was on both of their shoulders as they assumed their roles. That's it. At best, Obama's going to have 8 years in elected office. Henry had +35 years and had an absolute monarchy. Huge difference because of the time that isn't afforded Obama, age 47, as was afforded Henry, taking the throne at the age of 18.

[kellyistrying]

I think he is comparing the hype of Henry and the beginning of his reign to the hype of Obama and his election to office. People were excited and hopeful(mind you not all) when they went to positions of leadership.

[SistaSol]

Wow, the poor arguments posted here are legion.

[viperswhip]

He compared the young Henry that gained the throne to Obama, not the Henry who actually reigned. Did anyone listen to the video? lol He called Obama charming and intelligent by reference to a young Henry and then asks how HENRY fell away from those characteristics to become the King everyone is most familiar with. At no point does Starkey say that Obama is like the Henry who reigned, he is saying Henry had the same promise Obama has, but somehow dramatically diverged from.

[SistaSol]

@viperswhip - It's sad that you and these others stand out because you're among the few that somehow managed to get it.

[kendahke]

@SistaSol it helps when you've read Dr. Starkey's books and have attended his lectures. His writing is heaven.

[leemorethomas]

@kendahke heaven? No. History can only be quoted and misquoted. Not heaven, which look we "forward" to.

[833P]

He's talking about the promise and the good intentions of the young Henry VIII when he came to the throne, not the tyrant he became.

[833P]

The comparison is apt to the extent that he's talking about the promise and the good intentions of the young Henry when he came to the throne, not the tyrant he became.

[11december2008]

@mckfrr Starkey isn't saying Henry VIII is like Obama, he says he is the "Tudor Obama". Work it out.

[FriedEggsandChips]

@11december2008 Hear hear. Typical YouTube commenter over-reacting again.

[thepenguinmafia]

@mckfrr You really need to watch this again as it is obvious you have completely misunderstood the point.

[disamjisa]

@mckfrr Oh ffs, you clearly understand nothing of 16th century England. There is such a thing known as a metaphor. Look it up, try to understand it; you might profit by the experience.

[pianor91]

"Tudor Obama" How on God's green Earth can someone compare a giant of history to an overhyped yank?! The only reason Obama is - falsely- deemed some sort of Christ figure, is because he is black. He is not great, never will be. Henry VIII shits on that Obama.

[kendahke]

@pianor91 no one does that except the haters. you might want to go talk to them about it.

[disamjisa]

@pianor91 The metaphor is about the circumstances of their accession; both men were deemed to come to power as great reformers, a break with the past, a liberal "prince" who would undo the evils of past years (in Henry's case, his father, in Obama's, President Bush)

[RenShiWu]

Well, Henry was the worst tyrant ever to rule England. Obama's shaping up to be the American equivalent. Henry was also extremely vain, as Obama is, and given to treating his opponents as not only wrong, but immoral.

[Himaryous]

Henry was nothing like Obama but Anne Boleyn was a lot like Hillary Clinton, both in virtues and flaws.

[Counterrevolutionite]

Henry VIII was elected just because he was black?

[11december2008]

Yes Henry was mixed race like Obama.

[AnarchistInTheUK]

He's one of the most prominent historians in all of the UK and to be honest yeah he is outspoken but can a historian really be Politically correct? id rather see people make laughingly bad comments about the scots than blatant homophobia.

[11december2008]

You have made a fool of yourself!

[Az260790UK]

hmmmmmm, i wanted to see if this academic is as eccetric as he appeared on question time

[laurarichards1414]

I think the 'Tudor Obama' comparison is a bit of a stretch - typical Starkey to try to make fashionable comparisons where none really exist.

[11december2008]

I think there is a comparison there, in terms of tiredness of Henry VII and massive expectation in a young leader.

[HappyHandsClub]

no the comparison is that Obama and Henry were both respected as individuals and that Henry was charming and popular, just as Obama is today.

[username12009]

I think the comparison is more in the sense of expectation for the future in a leader seen as youthful and offering hope. Henry VII is the 16th century George Bush in this comparison.

[HappyHandsClub]

perhaps that is a better comparison to make, but i still think that starkey means it on more of a personal level. After all, he is writing a biography that addresses Henry as a person rather than as a monarch.

[11december2008]

There is no distinction between Henry as man or monarch, that is what being a monarch is, it totally consumes a personality.

[vinnyflintoff]

I think thats a bit inaccurate. In the 16th century, either you kill or be killed. It was that sort of world. I believe that the average english person in the tudor era wanted his king to be strong, brave and tough, not a hippie. Henry VIII was is and will forever be a great king. By him legalizing & establishing protestantism, he very much shaped the character of the english people & to a wider extent that of the english speaking world. His legacy will forever live on.

[PhillyGal4Ever]

Very interesting.