Yeoman brought freshly brushed and scented clothes chosen by the King.
Penny his barber came to shave him with clove water.
When ready, he’d exit his privy chambers into the crowds of courtiers and petitioners. Granting some requests and ignoring most, he’d go to the chapel royal for Matins (the first of his several daily trips to the chapel).
Then hunting, reading, exercising his horses, relaxing with his gentlemen, working in his library.
After dinner (often eaten privily to avoid some of the ritual required of public dining) he sometimes met with foreign ambassadors.
image above: Henry eating in his (apparently not so) privy chambers. He ate in the center of the table for maximum visibility.
Supper, and then some favorite pastimes: dancing, making music, gambling, or studying the stars.
image below: an astrolabe for studying the stars, likely belonging to Henry.
The actual political duties required of a king he was known to put off until late at night, to the annoyance of his councilors. Sometimes he ordered a late night snack, such as bread budding.
His bed was re-made each night, a feat involving ten men. Henry always had one of his Yeoman thrust daggers into his mattresses in fear of assassins, and one Yeoman roll around on the bed in case there were harmful objects hidden in it.
Henry went to bed at midnight or later. He was assisted into his (usually white) nightgown, his hair was brushed, and his bonnet put on. He could wash his face and teeth before finally climbing into his massive bed.
All that was left was much needed sleep.
