Medieval wealth measured in—beds??

Alison Weir's Henry VIII King & Court: 

“A person’s wealth was often measured by the number of beds he owned: because of their carved decoration and sets of rich hangings, beds were usually the most valuable pieces of furniture” and were often bequeathed in wills."

Naturally, Henry had many beds.

He slept on not less than eight mattresses, and his Windsor bed was 11’ square. The fanciest ‘beds of estate’ were used for the ceremonial rising and retiring, and he had other (smaller) beds for actually sleeping in.

While most people slept on the floor or on straw mattresses, the wealthy had feather beds. Henry’s bed coverings were of the finest material: silk, velvet, and fur. The four post bed debuted late in Henry’s reign. 

image at right: Henry reading in his bedchamber, as depicted in his psalter. From the British Library

Royal pets: Monkeys, marmosets, and ferrets--Oh my!

Henry's favorite pets were his hunting dogs, especially the noble greyhounds. Wise courtiers knew to pamper Henry’s dogs to curry his favor, and it’s recorded that his dogs wore collars of velvet, some gold or pearl studded. Two of his favorite dogs: Cut and Ball.

Initially, courtiers could bring their dogs to court, but it grew to be such an issue that eventually dogs were banned—except for ladies’ lap dogs. Any pets that were permitted were required to be kept out of the lodgings and in the stables.

Henry was the only one allowed to keep ferrets. But who else would want to?

Ladies sometimes had birds like nightingales or canaries. Katherine of Aragon was painted with a monkey (image at right). Cardinal Wolsey kept a cat. The king was even offered a marmoset once. 

credits: Alison Weir

What you can tell about a Tudor by his clothes

Since most common citizens couldn’t read, kings had to find different ways to convey their wealth, lineage, rank, religion, nationality, and anything else you wanted to impress about your self.

A king had to show people his wealth and prestige, most commonly in his wardrobe. He was expected to dress extravagantly—and to supply his courtiers with the means to do so also, since their glory reflected on him and increased his own glorious image. It was especially important to impress foreign dignitaries, and to be impressive in front of the common citizens. 

(at right, Elizabeth on procession: she knew she had to learn to dress luxuriously to impress her people as queen)

Royal employees were recognized by their uniforms, or liveries.  Every noble family had their own coat of arms passed on through generations. Each family dressed their employees in their family colors (attire known as livery). Henry VIII’s Tudor liveries were green and white.

Individuals of importance selected a personal badge as well, such as Henry’s first wife Katherine of Aragon (image below right). She chose the pomegranate, a Spanish fruit to remind her of her homeland, and because it was a symbol of fertility and for the resurrection. Badges adorned possessions, decorations, and servants, and could be combined with a spouse's upon marriage. As you would expect, this particular practice caused Henry a bit of trouble.

In an age when heretical books could get you burned at the stake, people found other, subtler, ways to express their religion. Elizabeth wore black or otherwise simple attire before her ascension to show she was favorable to the reformed religion. This set her up as the figure-head of the anti-Catholic, anti-Mary party, which was headed by her sister who dressed in traditional, Catholic, & expensive style. (Upon her ascension to queenship however, Elizabeth began her life-long indulgence in extravagant dress, as Tudor monarchs were required to do.)

Kings had to dress richly, give lavishly, and perform grandly so that everyone knew how rich and powerful they were. No one questioned spending lavishly for the king to show off, which is a sign of how accepted it was. Even when the court’s metaphoric belt was tightened, even when the country was financing a war, even as the royal treasury emptied later in Henry’s reign.

It could also have just been a sign of how reluctant people were to speak against a vain and mercurial king.

Credits: David Starkey

What did Henry VIII look like?

At least at the start of his reign, Henry was quite attractive. Even allowing for flattery common in the 1500s, much of the praise of King Henry had root in truth.

Sir Thomas More calls him "the tallest" of his companions. His skeleton shows he was around 6'2. More goes on to say that "his strength fits his majestic body. There is fiery power in his eyes, beauty in his face, and the color of twin roses in his cheeks." He had broad shoulders, fair skin, auburn hair, and a small mouth.

He was trim in his youth because he was an avid hunter, athlete, and outdoorsman. His contemporaries generally agreed that he was the "handsomest prince ever seen" as the Venetian envoy wrote. All this praise seems to have gone to his head: Henry was vain, especially about his calves. Wise courtiers were those who stroked the ego of this beautiful and talented prince.

As he aged, his health and looks changed dramatically. By his sixth marriage, he was so obese he had to be hoisted into his bed or onto his horse with pulleys. His hair thinned. He grew a beard at times, which conveniently helped to hide his multiple chins. His ulcerated leg worsened and caused him great difficulty in mobility, which was especially hard for a proud prince to show.

One part of his appearance that never changed throughout his life: his love of ostentatious, expensive, flashy clothes.
Quotes from Alison Weir's Henry VIII: King and Court