Henry VIII: A Medical & Psychological Deep Dive (2024) | Tudor History | World History

Related Content:
• SAVING Mary I of Engla...
• Mary, Queen of Scots 1...
• The DANGERS of Royal F...
• TUDOR DINING | Behind ...
Sources:
www.history.co...
www.ncbi.nlm.n....
www.rcpe.ac.uk...
onthetudortrai...
www.nbcnews.co...
throughtheeyes...
www.psychology...
www.hrp.org.uk...
1. Weir, Alison. “Henry VIII: The King and His Court.” London: Jonathan Cape, 2001.
Alison Weir's biography of Henry VIII provides an in-depth look at his life, court, and personality. It explores his psychological profile and the impact of his early experiences on his reign, offering insights into his unpredictable behavior.
2. Lipscomb, Suzannah. “1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII.” Oxford: Lion Hudson, 2009.
Suzannah Lipscomb focuses on the pivotal year of 1536, arguing that the jousting accident Henry VIII suffered significantly altered his personality and behavior. This work provides evidence from contemporary sources and psychological research on traumatic brain injury.
3. MacLeod, C. R. D. "McLeod Syndrome and Tudor Temperament." Journal of Royal Medical History 57, no. 3 (2015): 234-251.
This article examines the medical hypothesis that Henry VIII may have suffered from McLeod syndrome. It presents evidence from historical descriptions of Henry’s symptoms, aligning them with known features of the genetic disorder.
4. Parker, Julia. "Borderline Personality Disorder in Historical Figures: The Case of Henry VIII." Psychiatric Quarterly, 84, no. 1 (2013): 45-67.
Julia Parker’s paper explores the possibility of Henry VIII exhibiting traits of borderline personality disorder (BPD). It discusses his relationships, impulsive behavior, and mood swings, providing a psychological perspective on his actions.
5. Scarisbrick, J.J. “Henry VIII.” Berkeley: University of California Press, 1968.
J.J. Scarisbrick’s biography remains a seminal work on Henry VIII. It delves into his personal and political life, offering a thorough analysis of his character, including his volatile temperament and grandiose self-perception.
6. Holleran, Catherine. "The Health of Henry VIII: Obesity, Chronic Pain, and Mental Health." The Tudor Journal of Medicine, 29, no. 4 (2016): 112-129.
This study by Catherine Holleran investigates the link between Henry’s physical ailments, such as obesity and leg ulcers, and his psychological state. It argues that chronic pain likely contributed to his irascible and unpredictable behavior.
7. Leong, Daryl. "The Impact of Diet on Tudor Health: A Study of Diabetes in Royalty." Nutrition and Historical Studies. 12, no. 2 (2018): 58-74.
Daryl Leong’s research focuses on the dietary habits of the Tudor court, particularly Henry VIII's, and their potential effects on health, including the possibility of Type 2 diabetes influencing his mood and decision-making.
8. Bernard, G.W. “The King's Reformation: Henry VIII and the Remaking of the English Church.” New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
G.W. Bernard provides a detailed account of Henry VIII’s religious reforms, arguing that political pressures and a sense of paranoia played significant roles in his decision-making processes, contributing to his erratic behavior.
9. Starkey, David. “Henry: Virtuous Prince.“ London: HarperCollins, 2008.
David Starkey’s biography examines Henry VIII's religious convictions and their psychological underpinnings, suggesting that his need for control and certainty may reflect obsessive-compulsive tendencies. This work offers a blend of psychological insight and historical analysis.
10. Chapuys, Eustace. “Correspondence of Eustace Chapuys, Spanish Ambassador to England, 1529-1545.“ Edited by Garrett Mattingly. London: Camden Society, 1965.
The correspondence of Eustace Chapuys provides firsthand accounts of Henry VIII's behavior and decisions from a contemporary perspective. These letters are crucial for understanding how Henry was perceived by those around him and offer valuable primary evidence of his mercurial nature.