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Episode Description
Margaret George joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life, legacy, controversies, accomplishments, wives, advisors, and kids of King Henry VIII of England. Margaret is a historical novelist who specializes in fictional biographies. She is the author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers: A Novel, and she is the New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I: The Novel, Helen of Troy, The Memoirs of Cleopatra: A Novel, which was made into an ABC tv mini-series, and two books about Nero. You can follow her work at Margaretgeorge.com and on Facebook.
1:26 – The guest’s interest in King Henry VIII and her decision to write a book about him
3:19 – Overview of how King Henry VIII’s character changed over time and of just how complicated he was as a person
5:50 – War of the Roses, the rule of Henry VII, the death of Henry VII’s oldest son Arthur, and other pieces of context in England and with the English monarchy prior to Henry VIII becoming king in 1509
9:22 – Henry VIII’s involvement in wars and how that shaped his time on the throne
11:37 – Overview of Henry VIII’s six wives and the significance of him wanting to have a male heir to succeed him on the throne
22:29 – Changes in the religious makeup of England and in Henry VIII’s views on religion, how Henry VIII went from defending the Catholic faith early in his reign to later splitting with the Catholic Church and establishing the Church of England
26:26 – Seizing monasteries and land, the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536-1537, Henry VIII’s moves to further distance England from the Catholic Church and responses and reactions to these moves
29:27 – Key advisors to King Henry VIII, including Thomas Cromwell, Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cranmer, and Thomas More
35:57 – Who Will Somers was and why he played such a key role in the guest’s book about King Henry VIII
38:46 – Henry VIII’s relationships with his three kids who eventually became monarchs: the future Edward VI, Mary I (Bloody Mary), and Elizabeth I; how Henry VIII’s legacy and influence shaped each of their reigns
44:32 – The power and authority associated with Henry VIII’s reign, how royal power expanded during the 38 years of Henry VIII’s rule
46:41 – How Henry VIII was viewed during his own time, how we should view Henry VIII’s life and legacy today
48:31 – Anything we missed, Henry VIII’s abilities and talents as a musician, what the guest has written that listeners should read
Books and Resources Mentioned and Discussed
Margaret George’s Facebook Page
The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers: A Novel by Margaret George
Elizabeth I: The Novel by Margaret George
Helen of Troy by Margaret George
The Memoirs of Cleopatra: A Novel by Margaret George
The Confessions of Young Nero by Margaret George
The Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero by Margaret George
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