Blog 3

Henry VIII was notorious for sending those who fell out of his favour to the Tower. His victims included Sir Thomas More, Lady Margaret Pole and Queen Anne Boleyn.

The Tudors did not give presents at Christmas, but on New Year's day on 1st January. The gifts exchanged between Henry VIII and his courtiers are recorded in the court gift rolls. Generally, it took the form of pieces of silver plate. In January 1532 the king received "a salt silver gilt standing upon a dragon" from Thomas Flower. Occasionally, he received more unusual gifts. That same year he was a given a leopard by "Harman Hull, an Easterling."

Henry VIII was determined to make the court of England equal in magnificence to those of France and Spain. He expressed his royal power through the splendour of his dress, his palaces and his pageantry. His household officers and servants provided lavish hospitality and opulent masques to impress visiting ambassadors.

The royal palaces were furnished with the most luxurious furnishings that could be obtained in the sixteenth century. This included Flemish tapestries, Turkey carpets and great cupboards of gold and silver plate. Very few objects from the households of Henry VIII have survived to the present day, but an idea of his magnificent lifestyle can be gained from the vast Inventory of 1547 which was made after his death. It lists the contents of his royal wardrobe, his collection of jewels and furs, his rich wall hangings, embroidered bedspreads and fine table linen and his library of books.