HENRY versus FRANCIS
This June marks 500 years since King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France met at the Field of Cloth of Gold. It was a meeting for the ages, arranged to herald a grand new alliance between two of Europe’s most charismatic monarchs. Yet, just three years later, war had broken out between the two countries and the brotherly love that was shown at the summit was no more. As it turned out, the back and forth relationship between Henry and Francis would continue for their entire reigns.
Henry was born on the 28 June 1491 at the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich. The second son of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York, Henry was the spare to the heir, his brother Arthur, and he was not expected to inherit the English throne. However, at ten years old his fate changed when Arthur died suddenly at the age of 15 in 1502, just five months into his marriage to Princess Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon.
In an instant, Henry was now the heir to the English throne. His brother had been well-educated for his role as the future king and after his wedding he had moved to Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, to assume more responsibility. However, as the second son of the king, Henry had been destined for a career in the church and consequently had never been taught the ways of government and administration like his brother, although he did receive an exemplary education.
Unfortunately, this didn’t change even after he was named Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales in 1502 and 1503 respectively. Concerned that his son could fall prey to outside influences, the king kept Henry hidden away and maintained control over all affairs of government instead of
