What were Henry's last words?

Asked by: Flo Ferry  |  Last update: July 19, 2026
Score: 5/5 (23 votes)

King Henry VIII's last recorded words, spoken on January 28, 1547, to Sir Anthony Denny, were: “I will first take a little sleep, and then, as I feel myself, I will advise upon the matter”. Later, when asked for a sign of his trust in Christ, he reportedly tightened his grip on Archbishop Thomas Cranmer's hand before dying.

What were King Henry VIII's last words?

King Henry VIII’s exact final words are unknown and widely debated by historians. His most reliable, documented phrase came before he lost the ability to speak, when a physician asked if a priest should be summoned. The King replied:

What were JFK's final words?

Kennedy's limousine entered Dealey Plaza at 12:30 pm. CST. Nellie Connally turned and commented to Kennedy, who was sitting behind her, "Mr. President, they can't make you believe now that there are not some in Dallas who love and appreciate you, can they?" Kennedy's reply – "No, they sure can't" – were his last words.

How much did Henry VIII weigh when he died?

When Henry VIII died in 1547 at age 55, he weighed approximately 400 pounds (about 180 kg or 28 stone). Once an athletic figure, the King suffered from severe leg ulcers and lack of mobility in his later years, leading to extreme obesity and a 54 to 60-inch waist.

Who did Henry VIII regret killing?

Henry VIII is most notably believed to have regretted the 1540 execution of his chief minister, Thomas Cromwell. He later referred to Cromwell as his "most faithful servant" and blamed his council for poisoning his mind with false accusations. Other figures sometimes mentioned in discussions of his regret include Anne Boleyn.

The Unbelievably Grotesque Death Of Henry VIII

21 related questions found

Where did Henry VIII poop?

Henry VIII had his very own toilet at Hampton Court Palace – something called a close stool. It was kind of like a posh chair with a potty in it!

What made Henry VIII go mad?

Henry's Illness and decline

A bad injury in 1536, after he had fallen from his horse at a joust, and a recurring leg ulcer restricted him physically. Some historians suggest that this accident, after he was unconscious for over two hours, had long-lasting psychological effects on the King.

Why did Henry's leg never heal?

Henry VIII’s leg ulcers never healed due to a combination of a serious 1536 jousting accident, chronic infections (likely osteomyelitis), and underlying health issues, including morbid obesity and possible Type 2 diabetes, which severely impaired circulation and tissue repair. Lacking modern antibiotics and understanding of, 16th-century treatments often exacerbated the infection.

Which king died of diarrhea?

King John of England (reigned 1199–1216) famously died of dysentery, a severe form of diarrhea, in October 1216 at the age of 49. His illness was likely brought on by the stress of his failing military campaign and rumored overindulgence, causing his death at Newark Castle.

Which king died of obesity?

Henry VIII died on 28 January 1547 when he was 55 years old - a death many believe was hastened by his obesity.

Who was Jackie Kennedy's lover?

Maurice Tempelsman was the longtime companion and last love of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, living with her from roughly 1980 until her death in 1994. A Belgian-American diamond merchant, Tempelsman was considered her devoted partner who provided companionship and stability in her final years.

Did JFK Jr. know he was dying?

Kennedy, Jr., knew that his plane was crashing on July 16, 1999. He sent out no distress calls, and his plane did not have a black box, which would have recorded the cockpit audio and other flight information. According to the NTSB investigation, about an hour into the flight Kennedy became spatially disoriented.

Why was Kennedy's casket dropped in the ocean?

President Kennedy's original casket—used to transport his body from Dallas to Washington—was intentionally dumped in the Atlantic Ocean in 1966 to prevent it from becoming a morbid, commercialized relic for "sensation seekers". The Kennedy family requested the disposal, and officials wanted to avoid public exhibition of the damaged item.

Did Henry VIII explode when he died?

Yes, according to historical accounts, King Henry VIII’s corpse ruptured or "exploded" inside his coffin during his funeral procession in February 1547. Due to advanced decomposition, excessive gases caused the lead-lined coffin to burst at Syon Abbey, leading to the reported leaking of bodily fluids and a foul stench.

What were Queen Anne Boleyn's last words?

Anne Boleyn's final words on May 19, 1536, at the Tower of London scaffold, began with a respectful public address. She asked God to save the King and praised him as "gentle" and "merciful". As she knelt and was blindfolded, her repeated final prayer was: "To Jesus Christ I commend my soul; Lord Jesus receive my soul."

Is Anne Boleyn's bloodline still alive?

Yes, the Boleyn bloodline is still very much alive today, though not through Anne herself. It survives through her sister, Mary Boleyn, whose descendants married into prominent aristocratic families. The bloodline is present in the current British Royal Family, including King Charles III, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

Which king exploded when he died?

William the Conqueror (William I of England) is the king whose body famously burst during his funeral in 1087. Following his death from injuries sustained in battle, his body bloated severely, causing it to rupture and release an overwhelming stench when monks tried to force him into a stone sarcophagus that was too small.

What happens in the first 30 minutes of death?

In the first 30 minutes after death, the body enters a phase of primary flaccidity where all muscles relax and vital functions stop, including the heart, breath, and brain activity. Key physical changes include extreme skin pallor (pallor mortis), rapid cooling of the body, fixed/dilated pupils, and the potential release of bowels or bladder.

Who is the most loved royal in history?

Queen Elizabeth II is widely considered the most loved and respected royal of all time, maintaining approval ratings over 90% during her record-breaking reign. Known for her stability and dedication, she consistently topped global admiration polls, with her popularity extending across generations and even among critics of the monarchy.

What disease did Anne Boleyn have?

Anne Boleyn contracted the sweating sickness (or "the sweat") in the summer of 1528. This was a mysterious, highly contagious, and often fatal disease that ravaged Tudor England, characterized by sudden onset, high fever, intense sweating, and death within hours. Anne successfully recovered from the illness at Hever Castle.

What was Henry VIII's weight?

At the time of his death in 1547, Henry VIII weighed approximately 400 pounds (about 178–180 kg or 28–29 stone) and had a 54-inch waist. While he was a tall, athletic 6'2"–6'4" in his youth, severe jousting accidents in 1536 prevented him from exercising, causing his weight to rise dramatically in his final years.

What did Henry VIII really look like?

In his youth, Henry VIII was a tall, athletic, and conventionally handsome man, often described as the most attractive monarch in Europe. Standing over 6′2", he was muscular with a 34-inch waist, auburn hair, and a fair complexion. Later in life, due to a severe jousting injury in 1536 and decreased mobility, he became heavily obese, with a 54-inch waist and poor health.

Where did Anne Boleyn's head go?

Her body and head were placed in an empty arrow chest and brought to the chapel at the Tower of London for burial. Here is a picture of her grave marker, on the altar of the chapel next to her brother. In six years, Katherine Howard's body would also be placed next to Anne's.

Did Henry VIII have good hygiene?

💩 Henry VIII's sanitary habits were surprisingly hygienic. The King himself had his own bath, with hot and cold running water, and a luxurious tiled bathroom into which he sometimes took steam baths - the air pungent from perfumed, fragrant herbs.

What was Anne Boleyn's skin color?

Contemporary descriptions suggest Anne was of a dark complexion with a long neck, dark hair and 'black and beautiful' eyes.