Wives of Henry VIII: Historiography in the concepts of modern cinema

Abstract

The research relevance is determined by the variety of myths and legends formed around the historical personality of Henry VIII, which are not true, yet are repeated in the context of contemporary cinema. The study aims to analyse each of Henry VIII’s wives, using literature as a primary source, analyse modern cinema and attempt to introduce an innovative view of the historical situation in the history of the British monarchy. The artistic and stylistic method and the method of comparative analysis were used. Aside from the rapid change in the paradigm of personal life, the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty is also known for several significant reforms that were demonstrated only in a few films and TV series, and then in passing, leaving a bad impression of the English crown. Under the Tudors, England became the “mistress of the seas” and established the Anglican Church independent of the Pope, from a period of turmoil to stability. The work combines the embodied images with portraits of Henry VIII’s wives’ contemporaries, namely those of Hans Holbein the Younger. General information on the establishment of the English monarch, their origin, as well as the circumstances at court after the marriage, namely the death of the heirs to the throne, which, as recent studies have proved, was related to the health of the monarch, not his wives, was analysed. The study examines the external features, behavioural patterns, and influence on the internal politics of medieval England. The following films were analysed: “The Other Boleyn Girl” (2008, directed by Justin Chadwick), the TV series “The Tudors” (2007-2010, directed by Michael Hirst), “Henry VIII and His Six Wives” (2016, directed by Chris Holt), establishing that cinema does not accurately convey the era, the character and appearance of the girls. This study may be useful for researchers, history buffs, specialists in the Tudor dynasty, students of history and amateurs