Henry VIII by Helen Simpson (1934)

Name: Henry VIII
Author: Helen Simpson

Henry VIII is a historical novel by Helen Simpson, published in 1936. It tells the story of the life of King Henry VIII of England, from his childhood to his death. The novel begins with Henry's childhood, and follows him through his rise to power, his marriages, and his many political and religious struggles. It also covers his relationships with his courtiers, his children, and his wives. The novel paints a vivid picture of life in the Tudor court, and of the people who surrounded Henry. The novel is written in a style that is both entertaining and informative. It is full of vivid descriptions of the people and places of the time, and of the events that shaped Henry's life. It is an engaging and informative read, and a great introduction to the life of one of England's most famous kings.

By Helen Simpson · First published 1934 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography, Romance · 8 chapters · 31,280 words

First lines

Henry VIII, when he came to the throne of England, was a beautiful young man, eighteen years old; tall, strong, the only morning star in this Western orb.' The accounts of him given by the Venetians on their arrival in England are well known, but bear retelling for the reason that they were, so far as the King's person was concerned, disinterested. They could, and did, speak sharply of the appearance and manners of other rulers. The King of Hungary 'resembles a statue, and becomes incoherent when he discusses state affairs'; the King of France is idle, and under petticoat government'; and though they found Lucrezia Borgia 'bland and gracious,' they were shrewd members of a merchant nobility, rarely deceived to enthusiasm by any personal flattery. Pasqualigo's description may come first: 'His majesty is the handsomest potentate I ever set eyes on; above the usual height, with an extremely fine calf to his leg, his complexion very fair and bright, with auburn hair combed straight and short in the French fashion, and a round face so very beautiful that it would become a pretty woman, his throat being rather long and thick. He speaks French, English and Latin, and a little Italian, plays well on the lute and harpsichord, sings from book at sight, draws the bow with greater strength than any man in England, and jousts marvellously.'

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Henry VIII is listed on Textopian as a novel by Helen Simpson, dated 1934 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Helen Simpson
Date: 1934 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Biography, Romance, Drama
Length: 31,280 words
Structure: 8 chapters, 193 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Historical Fiction — The book is based on the life of Henry VIII, a historical figure, and is written in a fictional style.
Biography — The book is based on the life of Henry VIII, and is written in a factual style.
Romance — The book focuses on the romantic relationships of Henry VIII, and is written in a romantic style.
Drama — The book focuses on the dramatic events in the life of Henry VIII, and is written in a dramatic style.

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