WHO: King Henry VIII was born in Greenwich on June 28 1491. He was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, with his older brother Prince Arthur. Prince Arthur was originally heir to the throne of England, until he died in 1502, and then Henry became heir to the throne, making him king. Henry was athletic and highly intelligent. He loved hunting and was very religious. He loved, not only writing music, but also books. He became a best selling author, (went through some 20 editions), for his book bashing Martin Luther and supporting the Roman Catholic Church. In 1521 he was given the name, "the Defender of the Faith" by the Pope. Henry's first wife was his brothers widowed wife, Catherine of Aragon. That ended quickly when Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn, the sister of a mistress. He married her as his second wife, and after she produced a daughter he had her executed on the accounts of treason, which was most certainly false. After Anne died, Henry married Jane Seymour who FINALLY bore a son, but she died during childbirth. He went on to marry Anne Of Cleves, who didn't bear any children. After her came, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr, neither produced children.
WHAT: King Henry VIII mounted the biggest invasion of France since King Henry V. The Mary Rose was built as a gunship in 1509-1511. King Henry was known as the Father of the Navy. He made the Church of England in 1534. He added imperial concepts of kingship to existing Feudal concepts.WHERE: He lived in England.
WHEN: He lived in 1491 - 1547
WHY: He was king.
HOW: He is mostly famous because of his six wives and what he did to them.
