The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII

About this book

An insightful and elegant examination of Henry VIIIs last will and testament that evokes the glittering world of the Tudor king in all its glory pomp and paranoia. On 28 January 1547 the sickly and obese King Henry VIII died at Whitehall. Just hours before his passing his last will and testament had been read stamped and sealed. The will confirmed the line of succession as Edward Mary and Elizabeth; and following them the Grey and Suffolk families. It also listed bequests to the kings most trusted councillors and servants. Henrys will is one of the most intriguing and contested documents in British history. Historians have disagreed over its intended meaning its authenticity and validity and the circumstances of its creation. As well as examining the background to the drafting of the will and describing Henrys last days Suzannah Lipscomb offers her own illuminating interpretation of one of the most significant constitutional documents of the Tudor period. Illustrated with portraits of the key figures at Henrys court The King is Dead is as boldly evocative as it is beautifula work of Tudor history to cherish. Illustrated with 24 pages of color illustrations