I'm a little late with this post, but nevertheless I thought it was an exciting and interesting topic. Yesterday is the 476th anniversary of a horrible day for King Henry VIII - a jousting accident that changed his life forever. On January 24th, 1536, a jousting tournament was held at Greenwich Palace. The King, then married to pregnant Queen Anne Boleyn - (this was four months before her execution) - was still relatively sporty, and liked to act younger than most men at age forty-four. Henry was nearly obsessed with keeping himself as youthful as he could, and since he had always been a very athletic and active man, he was still an enthusiastic competitor in jousting tournaments.
This tournament, however, proved dangerous and almost-fatal for the King, as he was thrown from his horse after being struck by his opponent. The horse (covered in armor) fell on top of him, causing a terrible leg wound that the King would live with for the rest of his life.
This tournament, however, proved dangerous and almost-fatal for the King, as he was thrown from his horse after being struck by his opponent. The horse (covered in armor) fell on top of him, causing a terrible leg wound that the King would live with for the rest of his life.
It was reported that Henry took quite a blow to the head, which knocked him unconscious for two hours - causing people to think he was either dead or dying. Queen Anne, who was not present at the tournament, was informed immediately of her husband's delicate condition and was so distraught that she miscarried her son only a few days later - (which solidified her tragic fate).
When Henry awoke, he was told that the leg injury would be easily handled and should heal in time. Unfortunately for the King, this was not the case, and throughout his life the injury would become infected, causing him more and
When Henry awoke, he was told that the leg injury would be easily handled and should heal in time. Unfortunately for the King, this was not the case, and throughout his life the injury would become infected, causing him more and
more pain - eventually needing to be opened and drained several times a day as he aged. Late in his life, he needed a walking stick to help him move around, as his limp grew increasingly worse and the pain from his ulcerated leg would cause him so much agony he could barely move. At this time, however, the wound did not look life-threatening, and it was the least of Henry's concerns. After he recovered from the fall, he was much more interested (and infuriated) at his wife's miscarriage, which led to her ultimate trial and execution a few months later.
Normally, a jousting accident like this would be overlooked by historians and history fans, but in this case it truly affected the rest of Henry's life. As previously stated, he was physically hindered for the rest of his life, which had an effect on his romantic relationships - Think Katherine Howard, his pretty little 17-year old wife (when he was 50-ish). Due to the King's festering wound, he no longer got the exercise he was so accustomed to. This, combined with a hearty appetite caused him to gain significant weight later in life. Katherine Howard married Henry at this point in his life, when he was just about at his worst physical state. Some people might ponder her fate, had the king not had the jousting accident and subsequently not gained the weight he did, allowing himself to become obese and undesirable. Would Katherine still have strayed from her marriage? An interesting thing to consider - but we do know that the wound was something that his wives and mistresses discussed privately, complaining of how disgusting it was, and how it had a putrid smell.
Another thing that historians have considered is possible brain damage inflicted from the accident. As I said before, Henry suffered a pretty serious head wound from the lance he was struck with. Although nothing has been proven for sure, historians and researchers wonder if he suffered from a brain injury for the rest of his life, as aspects of his personality seemed to drastically change directly after the accident. The once generous and loving king suddenly became cruel and short-tempered. Just a theory, but it's interesting to consider!
Hope you've enjoyed this post! I'll try to be better about posting more frequently!
Normally, a jousting accident like this would be overlooked by historians and history fans, but in this case it truly affected the rest of Henry's life. As previously stated, he was physically hindered for the rest of his life, which had an effect on his romantic relationships - Think Katherine Howard, his pretty little 17-year old wife (when he was 50-ish). Due to the King's festering wound, he no longer got the exercise he was so accustomed to. This, combined with a hearty appetite caused him to gain significant weight later in life. Katherine Howard married Henry at this point in his life, when he was just about at his worst physical state. Some people might ponder her fate, had the king not had the jousting accident and subsequently not gained the weight he did, allowing himself to become obese and undesirable. Would Katherine still have strayed from her marriage? An interesting thing to consider - but we do know that the wound was something that his wives and mistresses discussed privately, complaining of how disgusting it was, and how it had a putrid smell.
Another thing that historians have considered is possible brain damage inflicted from the accident. As I said before, Henry suffered a pretty serious head wound from the lance he was struck with. Although nothing has been proven for sure, historians and researchers wonder if he suffered from a brain injury for the rest of his life, as aspects of his personality seemed to drastically change directly after the accident. The once generous and loving king suddenly became cruel and short-tempered. Just a theory, but it's interesting to consider!
Hope you've enjoyed this post! I'll try to be better about posting more frequently!
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