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Henry VIII's virility

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nolimetangere
nolimetangere		 Henry VIII's virility
Apr 25 2008, 11:49 PM EDT
From what most of us have read, it does seem Henry hand a low fertility count. Though his first wife had several children, Princess Mary was the only one to survive. The fact Anne only had one living child and Jane had a living but somewhat fragile son, does make one wonder whether Henry's 'seed' was strong.
I do believe any idea of intercourse with his next three wives were non existent. Not only was he becoming extremely obese, but due to a fall in a tournament, had badly damaged his leg, which never really healed after that. However, regardless of what has been said about this infliction, I do not believe it had to do with syphilis, though that has often been thought the case. I read somewhere recently - I think it was in the book, "The Last Days of Henry VIII" by Hutchenson -that stated Henry had some disease that affect his overall behaviour, which turned him into the crass person he became(I can't remember the official name of the disease) Anyway, it was due to this that his body had problems healing, which is why he had such issues with his leg.
From most accounts I have read, all Henry wanted towards the end of his life was some comfort and someone to look after him. I think his infatuation with Catherine Howard was his last 'attempt' at playing the virile man. Though he may have 'talked' about impregnating Parr, I do think it was all hearsay! Goodness, the man couldn't even get onto his horse without be hoisted on with some sort of crane device! Do you find this valuable?    
MsSquirrly
MsSquirrly		 RE: Henry VIII's virility
Apr 26 2008, 12:37 AM EDT
I believe the illness you are referring to is Tertian fever which is a malaria type of sickness. It was severe and caused fevers which came and went every couple of days. This affected the patient's brain and caused headaches and in turn, short tempers. This affected Henry's behaviour and he became depressed, morose and generally disaggreable. I am not sure it affected the healing of his leg so maybe that was somelthing else?

You are right, from what I have read, Henry sure did slow down on his womanizing after his jousting accident and sickness. It must have really haunted him because he was so obsessed with getting a male heir but the court whispers were that he had some problems in the bedroom. And not only did he need help with ropes & pulleys to get on and off of his horse but even into his bed which was 12 ft wide to accommodate his large frame. (Check out Henry VIII - page 2) Do you find this valuable?    
nolimetangere
nolimetangere		 RE: Henry VIII's virility
Apr 26 2008, 8:23 AM EDT
"I believe the illness you are referring to is Tertian fever which is a malaria type of sickness. It was severe and caused fevers which came and went every couple of days. This affected the patient's brain and caused headaches and in turn, short tempers. This affected Henry's behaviour and he became depressed, morose and generally disaggreable. I am not sure it affected the healing of his leg so maybe that was somelthing else?

You are right, from what I have read, Henry sure did slow down on his womanizing after his jousting accident and sickness. It must have really haunted him because he was so obsessed with getting a male heir but the court whispers were that he had some problems in the bedroom. And not only did he need help with ropes & pulleys to get on and off of his horse but even into his bed which was 12 ft wide to accommodate his large frame. (Check out Henry VIII - page 2)"
Thanks MsSquirrily; for the life of me, I couldn't remember the name of the disease! As regards his leg, the ulcers, the irrational and sometimes brutal behaviour has for many years been blamed on the fact Henry had syphilis. Does anyone know where the ulcers came from? It has been suggested it may have been due to diabetes?
 Do you find this valuable?