I'm Henry the VIII I am

October 28, 2010

Henry Rex Tudor - King - Defender of the Faith - Serial Spouse. Henry VIII is famous (or infamous) for a legacy, including the establishment of the Church of England and a litany of fractured marital vows. I just visited my daughter in Washington, DC, and because we are nerds, we visited the Folger Shakespeare Library where they are celebrating the 500 year anniversary of Henry’s ascension to the throne. The library and museum is one of those quiet little gems that ensorcells you with an abundance of beautiful architecture and breathtaking artifacts. I actually saw an original print of a Thomas Moore tract, and even more remarkably, one of the original folios of Shakespeare’s work. This majesty was offset by the William Shakespeare Action Figure and the Disappearing Wives of Henry VIII mug that we bought in the shop. Henry and his descendants have long held people spellbound, and provided prolific subject matter for novelists, playwrights, historians, and biographers. Mid Continent Public Library has several works, both fiction and non-fiction, centered on the intrigue, romance, and politics of the Tudor Court. My personal favorites are the fiction works of Philippa Gregory, and Antonia Fraser is a wonderful biographer who has studied the Tudor court extensively.

Come in and check it out! God Save the King!

Brenda N.
North Independence Branch