About this season
To many, the legacy of King Henry VIII begins and ends with his six wives. But remarkable though his marital history is, it is not what defines him. Just as influential were the men who surrounded him before and during his 37-year reign as King of England. Join host Dr. Tracy Borman as she reveals the story of Britain's most famous monarch and how his male advisors, ministers, family, and friends molded his views, shaped his destiny, suffered his ruthlessness, and, in the end, exploited his vulnerability.
Episodes (3)
1. The Unexpected King
Aired 22 August 2020
Henry VIII through the eyes of the men - from advisors to painters and physicians - who stoked his ruthlessness and fears and exploited his vulnerability.
2. The Absent King
Aired 26 August 2020
Tracy Borman, Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, reveals how Henry VIII's pursuit of pleasure saw him entrust a huge amount of power to the men around him - and shake Europe.
3. The Tyrant King
Aired 29 August 2020
Tracy Borman reveals how the men around Henry VIII shaped the final part of his reign. With brutal struggles breaking out, they had to tread carefully as the king had become a tyrant.