Henry VIII: Jousts, Wives, Heirs, and Magnificence – Talk 2

Join us, online with Carol Ann Lloyd as we learn about the Tudors.

Henry VIII is the most recognizable English King. His profile and famous stance, hands on hips, broad shoulders, legs apart—basically taking the Superman pose centuries before Superman—embodies the image of royal power. Was it true? Henry VIII inherited the throne from his father, and everything seemed possible at the beginning of his reign. Tall, handsome, athletic, intelligent, and charismatic, young King Henry seemed the perfect King. But as the years went by, the expected male “heir and spare” did not appear. Eventually, Henry took the extraordinary step of breaking with the Pope and the Catholic church to have control of church lands and his own marital status. He had his first marriage annulled and married a record-breaking five more times in search of a son. Eventually, he did have a son, but not before remaking the country. At the end of his reign, after executing a series of wives, ministers, friends, and enemies, Henry had become a tyrant. Would the child who came after him hold the powerful nobles together and keep the Tudors in power?

Date: Wednesday 27th July 2022

Time: 7pm – 8pm

Venue: Online

Tickets: Members £5 / Non-members £8. A discounted ticket for all talks in this series is also available.

Notes on the speaker:

Carol Ann Lloyd is a popular speaker, author, and podcaster who brings the stories of history and Shakespeare to life. She presents programs for Smithsonian Associates, Royal Oak Foundation, English Speaking Union, Folger Shakespeare Library, OLLI at George Mason University, and more—online and on stage. Her podcast, British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, explores the lives of famous and infamous characters in history. She is currently working on a book, Tudors by the Numbers, which is scheduled for an Autumn 2023 release.

Carol Ann also speaks about how Shakespeare can help us develop effective conversation and interpersonal skills. She is the author of Building Relationships, One Conversation at a Time, and an Audible book, How to Build Meaning Relationships through Conversation. Carol Ann is now offering “Shake Up Your Conversations” programs to strengthen communication and engagement skills. She is a member and on the board of the Washington, DC chapter of the National Speakers Association.