Comments by "RenShiWu" (@renshiwu305) on "Henry VIII Virtuous Prince: Part One Infancy" video.

  1. Henry VIII was his maternal grandfather's grandson - with three chief differences. They were both tall and handsome, with fine skin and rosebud mouth. They were athletic, charismatic, lusty - for wine, women, and good food. They were both elaborate dressers as well. However, whereas Edward IV was one of the finest warriors in the history of the English crown (he was never defeated on the field of battle during the Wars of the Roses), Henry's military record was rather paltry. Edward IV successfully invaded England, having been exiled by the Warwick rebellion; he beat his cousin, the Kingmaker, at Barnet; and he destroyed the Lancastrian Dynasty at the Battle of Tewkesbury, all within a period of two months. Edward IV was also the victor on England's bloodiest day, at Towton, March 29, 1461. Henry's war experience, by contrast, was quite modest. He "won" what was little better than a tactical retreat at the "Battle" of the Spurs. He further was present for the Siege of Tournai and the Siege of Boulogne (during the War of the League of Cambrai and during one of the Italian Wars, respectively). Famously, unlike his grandfather, Henry suffered from a lack of heirs. Edward IV had ten children who survived at least until their baptism - as well as numerous bastards. Across three marriages, over three decades, Henry could only boast of three children and one natural son. Most significantly, I think Edward and Henry differed in their opinions of their personal honor. Edward was comfortable among common people and he didn't put on airs. Edward didn't need to constantly show himself off or be the focus of attention. Henry, though, was a supreme narcissist, and he would not suffer insults to his amour propre. On the whole, I think rulers who have a realistic view of themselves are the better rulers.
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