1536 - One of the Worst Years in British History?

Historian Derek Wilson discusses why he believes 1536 was not only Henry VIII's 'Annus Horribilis', but one of the worst years in British history since Roman times.

I agree with Wilson, although aside from the significant religious conflict I would also say that this year saw personal problems for Henry as well. His second marriage collapses, his illegitimate son dies and by the end of the year his only children are two illegitimate daughters who are barred from the throne. The succession must have been playing on Henry's mind during that year.

Wilson's new book on Henry VIII is out now and is a controversial and interesting read.

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[severyn1982]

at least get it right if youre doing a movie

[littlemisssunnydale]

Get what right?

[xxHistoryGirl23xx]

wonderful! Thank you for posting.

[littlemisssunnydale]

Thank you!

[xsexyminxyx]

the only thing i thought was bad about 1536 was the loss of anne boleyn.

she was my favourite wife, aside from Katherine of Aragon.

if only she gave the king a son..

[fleurgi]

@goodgirlkay then why if there culture was so horrid did so many cultures after them try to emulate there ruling system/ take there many words and why did so many of these christian kings and queens commission paintings with themselves present among the many roman gods. they obviously admired roman culture. believe me the reasons for killing others no matter how u try to justify them do not make the act any better. they is no decency in hiding behind a cover to commit evil acts against others

[goodgirlkay]

@fleurgi The Romans were savages! Murderous dogs! They make Medieval Europeans seems quaint by comparison...They considered it great entertainment to watch men, women and even children being devoured by wild beasts in their Arena, and of course, watching people hack each other to death was great sport...At least in the Middle Ages they had the decency to pretend they were torturing and burning people because God told them to, not just for kicks...

[TheStinch16]

surely the years of marys and the beginning of elizabeths reign were equally as bad if not worse! mary burnt hundreds of people at the stake for being protestants whereas henry converted back to catholicism before his death to ensure he would spend as little time in purgetory as possible and arguably only implemented protestantism in order to marry and divorce regularly.

[alanheath]

I don't think the speaker goes far enough. I doubt your average peasant in the field would know much about Henry other than that he was king. On the other hand a lot would be known about the church which not only was the centre of life but also controlled access to heaven. People do not give up superstitions easily today, how much less so with the threat of hell and eternal damnation hanging over.

I cannot understand why Henry took the risk.

[alanheath]

@littlemisssunnydale You got it absolutely right - well done!

[Krshwunk]

@WillShakespeare2007 No condoms. Amen.

The Catholic Church just condemned the idea that the sun was the center of the universe. Turns out it's not. Galileo was wrong.

Catholics don't condemn health care. In fact, 1 out of every 6 hospitals in the U.S. is a Catholic hospital.

[WillShakespeare2007]

@Krshwunk - They were used as an aspect of war between Catholics and Protestant that is why. But how is that relivant if we had not freed ourselved from the Catholic Church they would still be happening today. Kids would be tauth that the sun revolved around the earth (the Catholic Church only accepted this was wrong in 1996). No condoms, no IVF and no medical care as only God can know how the human body works. Now go away and take your sky daddy with you.

[Krshwunk]

@WillShakespeare2007 Protestants burned more witches that the Catholic Church did. After the Reformation, witch-burning skyrocketed.

[WillShakespeare2007]

So we would be much better off with the Catholic Church running Europe? Lets bring back burning witches and murdering anyone that disagrees with the church. The changes might have been rough for superstitious peasants but staying attached to Rome would have been much worse for everyone on the planet. I suggest he moves to Iran as he clearly loves the idea of a theocratic dictatorship so much. He can stone women all day and reminisce how it could have been in Britain today.

[BritishBlue1]

@TheShadowParliament

I'd take your opinion with a grain of salt given your country of origin, you're highly biased. The revolutionary war mostly affected the aristocratic and wealthy classes (who had large amounts of money invested in the north american colonies) but for the average Briton the rebellion just wasn't a big deal.

The war with the French, led by Bonaparte, was much more traumatic for the British nation, the american rebels were a sideshow.