Henry Tudor was born June 28, 1491 to Henry Vll and Elizabeth of York.  He was the second son, and was never expected to be King.  His older brother, Arthur Prince of Wales, Married Catherine of Aragon when Henry was 15.  Several months after his wedding, Prince Arthur died and Henry became heir to the throne.  With a papal dispensation, Henry married his brother's widow.  At age 17, Henry Vll died, and Henry Vlll became King at age 18.  At this young age, he relied heavily upon advisors for ruling England, and was even said to openly consult his wife on political matters.

Contrasting to the overweight King everyone pictures, Henry was tall, athletic, and handsome at a young age.  His marriage problems with Catherine didn't start until she had several miscarriages; Henry needed a son to secure the line of Tudor Kings.  He eventually married six times.

Henry received a wound to the thigh in a jousting accident which prevented him from exercising and which probably became ulcerated.  At his death in 1547, Henry's waist measured 54 inches.  He is buried at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, England.

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