Who Was He: King of England (1509-47), of the house of Tudor. Married six times, producing the future Edward VI (1547-53), Mary I (1553-58) and Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Career Highlights: Began the English Reformation, separating England from the Catholic Church and turning it, over the course of his reign, into a predominantly Protestant nation. He made himself Supreme Head of the Church of England (a role the king or queen serves to this day), oversaw the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and created the legal union of England and Wales. Context of Last Words: Henry was morbidly obese in his later years. A jousting accident in 1536 reopened old wounds on his leg, curtailing his ability to exercise and making him frustrated and thus quick to anger. He also probably suffered from gout. Last Words: All is lost. Monks, monks, monks!
Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.