27 March 2026
- 14:00 to 15:00
Talk
Secrets of The National Archives: the will of Henry VIII
The last will and testament of Henry VIII with Suzannah Lipscomb.
- Date
- 27 March 2026
- Location
- Online
About this image
Will of Henry VIII, 1546. Catalogue reference: E 23/4 pt1
On 28 January 1547, the sickly and obese King Henry VIII died at Whitehall. Just hours before his passing, his last will and testament had been read, stamped and sealed. The will confirmed the royal line of succession as Edward, Mary and Elizabeth; and, following them, the Grey and Suffolk families. It also listed bequests to the king's most trusted councillors and servants and outlined the details of his planned burial and tomb in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Henry's will is one of the most intriguing – and contested – documents in British history. Historians have disagreed over its intended meaning, its authenticity and validity, and the circumstances of its creation. In this talk, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb will explore the background to the drafting of the will and the last days of the dying king, as well as offering her own illuminating interpretation of a key constitutional document of the Tudor period.
Event details
Dates for this event
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Speakers
Series
Secrets of The National Archives
Secrets of The National Archives showcases some of the most notable documents and stories from the collection.