Scroll reveals Henry VIII was devout Catholic
Sunday April 05 2009
As the scourge of the Catholic Church, Henry VIII has long been regarded as a religious sceptic, but now, a "very exciting discovery" reveals he was a firm believer in the religion he later attempted to destroy. A prayer roll once belonging to Henry and inscribed with his own handwriting, has been brought to light ahead of an exhibition on his life.
It will be shown in public for the first time at the British Library's exhibition 'Henry VIII: Man and Monarch,' which opens later this month and marks the 500th anniversary of Henry's accession.
The roll bears Henry's official badge of arms and the Tudor rose, and is decorated with a series of illuminations including the Trinity, the Crucifixion and scenes from Christ's Passion. The inscription by Henry, reads: "Willyam Thomas, I pray yow pray for me your lovyng master: Prynce Henry."
The roll is also inscribed with Latin prayers and rubrics, or religious instructions. It is believed that Henry gave the roll to one of his personal servants, between 1505 and 1509, when Henry, aged between 14 and 18, was the Prince of Wales.
Until now historians were not aware of its existence.
Dr David Starkey, the historian, described the roll as "a very exciting discovery".
He said that its existence ended the debate between scholars and historians over whether Henry had always harboured doubts about Catholicism or whether he underwent a "conversion" during struggles with Rome over his divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
© Telegraph
- Roya Nikkhah in London
