Henry VIII's grave

Interesting clip on Henry VIII's simple grave.


Henry had planned for himself, and for his third wife Jane Seymour, a grand tomb that would enforce his perceived greatness and power. It would contain a great triumphal arch bearing a statue of the king on horseback. There would also be presentations of himself and Jane in a manner similar to the way in which his parents were depicted in their own tomb in Westminster Abbey. At the very top of the whole tomb (at twenty-eight feet above the ground), there would be an image of God holding the king's soul in his left hand. The whole monument was to be situated in St George's Chapel, Windsor.

The tomb was never completed. Some portions were made and were even erected but it was defaced, dismantled and sold of in pieces during the English Civil War. All that remains of the tomb today are copies of the four brass candlesticks. A marble slab was later placed on the site of the grave marking the burial not only of Henry and Jane, but also Charles I and one of Queen Annes infants:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20631910@N03/2655589603/in/set-72157608600962134/


The base of the structure, a black marble sarcophagus and platform, was relocated to St Paul's Cathedral in 1808 to form the tomb of Lord Nelson (as is seen in the clip).




For a man so confident of his own power and worth it is somewhat amusing and ironic that he is buried in so simple a fashion. Henry may have failed to secure for himself the grand tomb that he had carefully planned and failed to portray himself in death as the godly reformer that he saw himself as and wanted others to perceive him as. However he is England's most famous monarch and whether reviled or praised he is ultimately remembered. I imagine that Henry, who would no doubt loath the negative manner in which he is seen by many today, would be somewhat appeased that he is still discussed and still attracts such fascinating.

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[mmmmmvodka]

@anursewhocares

Well, technically he killed one because he wanted a son. Only two wives were beheaded. Two divorced. And one died due to complications. The last one was lucky because he died first. HAHAHA!

But yeah. He was a greedy old man who didn't think Queens could rule the country. Oh how wrong he was.

[fleurgi]

"out doing his fathers tomb" seriously that should have been the last thing on his mind

[sweetheart2109]

@TheEsthergirl Okay way wrong dude. Anne Boleyn cheating was made up by Lady Rochford mainly because of jealously however Katherine Howard was the one who actually cheated on Henry. That Jane Parker (lady Rochford) was bitch. Henry used that excuse to get rid of Anne in order to Jane Seymour.

[LadyofCleves65]

@Fishheadmama This all happened way back in the 1500's you seem to carry a lot of hatred for a man who has been dead for so many years. Get a book an read life from his point of view. There are two sides to every story. No Anne should not have been beheaded but she was no saint, she and her family were only interested in what they could get from Henry.

[NicolaWriter]

Like him or not,King Henry VIII made history. After all,we are still debating about him over five centuries later. Without him,16th century England would have been a boring place and there would be no Elizabeth or Mary or all the drama we so LOVE to debate about. He did what he wanted and didn't give a damn. Elizabeth was more like him than her mother by a long stretch.

[itskayleighbaby]

i hate him

[mckfrr]

So, this is where the monster sleeps.

[Fishheadmama]

Since I'll likely never make to England to visit his tomb, I'll just speak my piece here and now. Henry what you did to Anne Boleyn was just plain wrong!!! she was as innocent as they come as her only "sin"(?) was her failure to provide your sorry ass with an heir, you Bastard!!!! shame on you!!!shame-shame-shame!!! if I should run into you in Hell i'll make your eternity miserable, you sorry son of a bitch!!!nyaaaaaaa!

[Dolphindream15]

ok Im confused king henerys remains are in the floor where that plaque is what was that fancy thing in the middle of the room was that a grave too,,

[mmmmmvodka]

@TheEsthergirl The fact that he had several wives said enough about him already. I personally think that if Anne had a son, things would have been different. Way different. Luckily, England was MEANT to have Queen Elizabeth.

[TheEsthergirl]

King Henry V111's father was cheap. Henry grew up living in shoddy clothes and hardly enough logs to put on the fire to keep warm in winter. I don't blame him one bit for trying to outdo his cheapo father.