Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant Part One with David Starkey 

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I miss David Starkey and his history tours, and lectures. He is truly one of a kind.

Dr David is the history teacher we all wish we had xx

The good Dr is much missed upon the television in these recent years but it’s good to see him on RU-vid 😊

David Starkey has made the very best historical documentaries I have ever seen. He is a national treasure.

Dr. Starkey is the reason I love history. I watched his 4 part series on Elizabeth I years ago, and have been captivated since. This 4 part on Henry is one of my favorite documentary series ever. Thank you, Dr. Starkey; you have no idea how much you've influenced me, and how much I've learned listening to your speaches, reading your books and watching the documentaries you've participated or hosted. Your charisma, intellect and passion about history never ceases to dazzle me. It's so generous he has posted this for free on his channel; as a fanatic of his work, I already own it but for those who haven't seen it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I've watched it probably 30x!

I love his voice, his phrasing, and the rhythm in which he speaks. I could listen ro him all day.

NOBODY illuminates Tudor history like David Starkey!

I can get lost in Tudor history. So fascinating.

Nobody else comes close (for me anyways) to making a Tudor documentary like Dr Starkey. All of his documentaries are gold.

My favourite David Starkey observation about Henry viii was that like all good liars on some level he believed his own lies.

Dr Starkey makes history come alive! What a privilege to listen to him speak 👏🏽

I love listening to Dr, David Starkey. His storytelling really captivates me. I could listen to his narrative all day long. If only our teachers were more like him, we could have learned so much more.

I’m so hyped to see this series come to RU-vid, it’s by far been the best documentary series on Henry VIII that’s ever been made, Starkey’s analysis combined with some very good re-enacting of the primary sources makes it top notch as a psychological evaluation of Henry, and makes it one of the best documentary series ever put on the air. Now all we need is the Monarchy series on here and we’re golden. 😅

David Starkey is the undisputed expert on the Tudor family.

Never will quite get over the story of him, going from someone who fervently revered his mother…to throwing the mother of his children out into the cold.

Great Dr Starkey has put this on his channel. Love this series ❤️😍

Love Tudor history. Can't ever read enough. Excellent!

David Starkey’s star absolutely shines brightest when he discusses the House of Tudor.

David Starkey has always been a favorite historian of mine, another is Ross Broadstock who very sadly died suddenly a few days ago. He was a local hero here in Wales, he was known for challenging the narrative and confronting the destruction of ancient historical sites. I very much hope to see his work continue in some way. I am so grateful to have had my life and world view influenced by such wise and insightful men.

Your book The Six Wives Of Henry VIII was the book that started ignited my passion for all things British, when I bought that book it gave me such an enormous gift that I cannot begin to express sufficient enough thanks to you for writing such a magnificent book and for igniting my love of England's and indeed British history and culture before I misplaced it I reread it so many times it was definatly well-worn and I am indeed looking to replace it as soon as I can find a copy. To me you are an international treasure. Thank You So Very Much.

Always love listening to Dr. Starkey. Such a wealth of information and ideas.

I’ve always liked David’s presentation style, including in this video, after 21 years living in the U.K. - being an Irish gay man and an Irish Catholic patriot myself, he’s also a bastion of common sense and civility on many other issues

It's impossible to tire of this story

I am so happy this series is available it's my absolute favorite! It's done so well. Dr. David Starkey is the man who got me absolutely excited, and inspired to soak up all the history I can. I thank you for that

David Starkey you simple are a wonderful presenter, narrator and historian to follow and listen to. Quodos to you for your excellent delivery, education and enthusing everyone who watches you. Glad I was now able to subscribe to you. I would love to have had you an a history teacher. When reading the comments, you simply captivate your audience. ❤

Love this series. Starkey is THE history heavyweight. ❤ Sadly no one else has emerged -with anywhere near this kind of talent - for weaving historical information in interesting and thoughtful ways. We need to clone Starkey and install him in every school across the country.

STARKEY’s “Monarchy” was my favorite--But His Henry Edward Mary and Elizabeths were insta-Gold too! The music acting and narration are unmatched!

Haven't had a TV for years but if David can set the standard for RU-vid drama documentaries like this, no one will need one! It's so rare to get the scenery and quality acting alongside historical authority and detail like this.

Thank you so much for this!! No one better to talk Tudor than you. Thank you for bringing your knowledge to this channel.

A man who cannot control his passions will be controlled by them. The life story of Henry VIII can be contained in these few words.

Seen this uploaded around here but to have David Starkey upload it in his own channel is the best. Will never tire watching his documentaries about the Tudors. His Monarchy series is another I love as well. This is the channel where all his works belong to.

The finest work by a fine historian..... what a gift to the World... Behold

I could listen to David Starkey for hours ! He knows his onions a wealth of knowledge and a great pleasure to listen to

An Irisher here, listening on the history is marvelous, to think that Henry walked in the same rooms as David is walking is mad. Dave has a great voice, very soothing and makes the documentaries more interesting and worthwhile watching.I don't think anyone could explain it as well as Dave.

I never get tired of watching David Starkey talk about the Tudors!

I always love Dr Starkey's work, this documentary is excellent, thank you

I so adore this history. I find this accurate telling of history more riveting than any movie production. I've been dying to tune it but we were overwhelmed for awhile with property damage of late from hard storms. I'm so pleased to finally get to enjoy this, you're an amazingly good storyteller.

Im so glad David Starkey is back!! Im a POC and the way the media blew that whole thing out of proportion was ridiculous.

I have seen this series 3 times already. I can't help but watching it again.

I also love this. I made a playlist of exclusively David Starkey. I listen to it every night all night while going to sleep and while asleep. 😴

❤love a David Starkey video!! In his own special way and dedication to detail you learn so very much!!!

Dr. Starkey is an EXTRAORDINARILY astute scholar of English/British history. I literally could watch him in marathon binges. In fact, I credit Dr. Starkey and his British histories and Waldemar Januzsczak with his Art Histories with the fact that I survived COVID lockdown with my sanity intact.

Such a treat to see a video on this narrated by a man of Dr Starkey's upstanding and calibre

So extremely happy to hear your voice again. I can only listen to historical lectures from individuals who are knowledgeable like you Sir.

It’s a great pleasure to listen to mr Starkey He explains it so clearly, easy to follow And yes you just do not get tired of listening

A simply fascinating exploration of the Princehood of Henry VIII Totally captivating Cant wait for the next instalment Bravo David !!

Loving it so far! Dr Starkey delivers the historical facts with the artistic flair of a storyteller.

This was the series that introduced me to the great man himself. I was a bit ambivalent to history at the time, but this was the series that got me into it and I haven't looked back since. Thank you Dr Starkey for this series and for my love of history.

I loved Starkey's series Monarchy! He took the Royal history back over 1,200 years & gave the history of every Monarch from approx. 800 (with the history prior to explain how kings came into existence in the first place) all the way through to present day. Love the way he delivers it too! Very dramatically where very much appropriate! No one delivers or tells the accounts of Kings & Queens like David Starkey! Never heard of him years ago, but knew I found that one very special historian when I read his book 'Her Majesty's Spymaster" about QE-I and Wallsingham's methods, which many are still used today in the spying world.

No other historian tells the truth of the history like David Starkey, you are in my opinion the best historian I have ever witnessed Thank you. I am descended from the Plantagenets and Tudors too, and Margaret De Beaufort and many others I proved it on My Heritage site generation by generation and am hoping to go and visit all their graves and cathedrals

Dear Sir, This is the greatest documentary of King Henry. I've seen it at least 10 times because there is so much to absorb. Love your subtle humor. Thank You.

My favorite Royal of them all! Henry VIlI was the most famous and infamous Monarch of all time! Fascinating man from crib to grave and beyond!

One of my favourite documentaries! Thank you for uploading it! 😊

Well, I’m not going to argue with anybody, especially David Starkey (for whom I have great admiration), but Henry VIII sustained several bad bangs on the head….such injuries to the brain have for some time inspired debate about and concern for athletes due to the condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTS), but even long before this horrible disease had been discovered, physicians had correlated erratic behavior with a history of closed head injuries. I suppose I feel strongly about this because of the major personality change observed in Henry’s case, and because I’m a psychologist who has studied brain injuries for 25 years.

My mind has been refreshed - and reminded how good this programme was, the first time I saw it. Thank you, David.

David is totally amazing, love his programs, greetings from Grandpa Pete from France 🇫🇷🙏👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️

Henry VIII and the Tudor period was the most fun thing to learn at school. Lots of violence, drama, betrayal, intrigue, sex and war.

So glad I found this. Just brilliant. Edit after reading comments; yes, we all agree this is the history teacher/lecturer we wish we all had.

I believe Henry’s father was so paranoid in losing the first son, that his spare was kept close to his dad and when his father died, he just went all out having a good time…

I must've watched this documentary 10+ times over the years. Stupendous!

Again beautifully crafted, difficult not to draw contemporary parallels .

Such an knowledgable, articulate gentleman...Respect, Mr Starkey!

Brilliant! I could listen to David Starkey forever! Thankyou for sharing this!

I watched this avidly when it came out back in 2009 and I have tried to find it many times since. So happy these are available again. Marvellous series.

Brilliant to see and hear Dr David Starkey as always

Beautiful, simply beautiful, a perfectly produced quality documentary. Stylistically perfect, beautifully shot, historically fascinating and precise, and of course documented by a world leading expert. Sadly documentaries are not made like this any more. I watched this when first broadcast and I'm deeply please to be able to view this time and time again, Thank you Doctor Starkey for allow us to see this masterclass once again.

I have always thought Henry Vlll was, in effect, Machiavelli's Prince - he used his methods. I think he and his father, Henry Vll, are the most fascinating monarchs we have had.

I'm, at this point, having read about both him and the disorder, of the belief that *Henry was a narcissist* and a malignant one. You have a child treated with deference by almost everyone, growing up, after a point, in a very controlling environment. Then, you have, as it turns out, an adult who holds himself accountable for nothing, who is utterly selfish and self-aggrandizing, who love-bombs partners and one day is ready to cast them aside as if they meant nothing, "shelf" them, who punishes people, after a point, for the mere suspicion that they threaten his authority. A certain picture is painted.

Watching that little boy attempt to speak Latin in the Prince how to book...It was absolutely adorable. I wonder if Young Henry was that cute!? 📚 Priceless, but knowing what became of that little boy is just brutally fascinating.

Excellent!! Dr David Starkey does it again! 😊I always enjoy his presentations! Looking forward to more!

Dr.Starkey is a great academic and historian, it's a pleasure learning from his documentaries and talks.

Oh how I wish my Mother was still alive to see the she would have loved it! Such a brilliant quality presentation and so much knowledge given free. Thank you so much, Dr Starkey.

I have been waiting for this! David has such a great voice, the better to present history with.

Am a history buff. And this quality series from David Starkey is excellent and learned a lot. Even went so far that I had a discussion on British history with some guys from the UK when I was in Italy and they were absolutely stunned that a non UK person knew their history better than they did. In my own country (NL) there is no such quality documentary on anything. And articles on history are never that in-depth as the English ones. I must give you that. The ones I find in Dutch are more of the kindergarten type. Such a shame. I moved to Germany a couple of years ago and also found some excellent material on German history.

This is great! Only David Starkey can deliver this kind of quality!

I like Starkey's presentations, but I'd pay good money if he'd sing "I'm Henry the Eighth I am/Henry the Eighth I am I am/...". You know you'd love it!

The Starkster at his very best.

It is impossible to not appreciate Prof. Starkey's works, including this one. I've also seen his series, "Monarchy", which covers all of the previous English monarchs since Alfred the Great to Richard III. Much more than names and dates.

Can't wait until part 2. David Starkey is an excellent narrator.

Im beyond happy to watch this series!!! Absolutely brilliant!! 😊❤😊 I've got a feeling ive found my new favorite channel!!!

How Henry VII treated his son after he became heir apparent is pretty much how he treated his wife , under complete subjection to him and his mother, I always wondered what they were so scared of them saying or doing ?

Love David Starkey's videos. Great historian!

A note made to self toward the end of this episode: "Just having been ill himself [Henry] after losing his mother and then so quickly his dear penpal friend, of course, Henry would have felt charitable, just, and wanting immortality (even if just for the next season). It is not uncommon, then, for people who have experienced this epiphany to later become weighted on by others who take unnatural advantage of that good humor/nature, and turn it into ugly suspicion. After his accident then (I'm getting ahead of things) is when he really got angry at the world around him. Constant pain, for any of us who have had it -- ever -- makes dealing with poor sportsmanship unbearable!"

Henry VII’s life story should be much more well known. It’s a great study in relations between a government and the governed.

4:47 Prince Henry the "Spare" 🤣

An excellent video Dr Starkey, thank you 😊🇬🇧

Thank you David for uploading these documentaries. I enjoy your work very much. Cheers

Oh, please bring out the rest of Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant. I love watching them over and over again. These are the first group of vides I watch before the rest of Daivd Starkey's documentaries on the Tudor's. From Henry's childhood to his wife's; then son, and daughter's. I love these vides very much! 💚

Bravo, Dr. Starkey. Thank you for disseminating this valuable & madly interesting information. You make all come to life.

The Tudors have always been a problem for me but this presentation is perfect. Loose ends are tied before any confusion can set in, thank you.

Cheers Dave…always top notch…look forward to Part TWO…✊

My favorite documentary of all time! Absolutely amazing.

Saw this amazing documentary years ago and I'm so happy to be able to watch it again. It's incredibly well done and very interesting. Been obsessed by the Tudors since my late teens, that is in the end of the 80s. Thanks for sharing your wonderful documentary, Sir 💗♥️🌹

Fascinating journey...thank you David !!

Thank you for posting this

Can’t believe they don’t wear gloves to handle those very old and beautiful books and manuscripts. I am aghast.

OMG- 12:09 is Jack Fox from the Sanditon series! So glad to see he actually forged a career for himself and is successful, he certainly is devilishly handsome...

I think a plausible explanation as to the real reason why Henry got rid of Ann and her friends is as follows. Aside from the possibility that Ann might have tried to have gotten herself pregnant via one of her male friends, Henry had, had enough. Because of her he had destroyed a lot of lives and that was probably eating away at him. Yes he wanted a male heir but Ann was still young enough. The odds were still favourable that she could produce a son. He was probably in a perpetual state of negativity because of the pain he was in with his leg. He was depressed and they were happy. And he couldn’t really mix it with them. They were young. In a way he had lost a lot of his power to Ann. He has lost a lot of his life. I think it’s unlikely that Ann was the unfaithful person she was accused of being. However she was quite ruthless and she might have seduced one of her male friends with the hope of getting pregnant with a son. Maybe she thought Henry was not up to producing a son. Maybe she was told this by a fortune teller. Once upon a time I discounted this theory but taking into account the severity of Henry’s wrath it makes me wonder if she did actually stoop to these lengths and Henry found out about it via one of his spies. But even if it was true, he knew for sure that the rest of them were innocent. But he wants to be rid of all of them. He can’t bare the sight of them anymore and by getting rid of all of them he closes the matter. Dead men tell no tales. So he gives Cromwell the nod to do it and he engineers it. Later on he gets rid of Cromwell because he can’t bare it that Cromwell actually knows the truth. As an aside to this , Ann of Cleaves was repulsed by Henry and he knew it and she didn’t want the marriage to proceed. So what does the tricky Henry do. He says she’s too ugly for him and blames Cromwell. I suppose we will never know the full truth.

High Quality Documentary on RU-vid, really nice ! Thank You David