WAS HENRY VIII A BRAIN DAMAGED KING? | Henry VIII’s jousting accidents | Tudors | History Calling

Was HENRY VIII a BRAIN DAMAGED King? There have long been theories that Henry VIII’s jousting accidents (which occurred during his 30s and 40s), caused a traumatic brain injury, which in turn led to alterations in his personality and may therefore be held partly responsible for his decision to execute two wives and bevy of other relations and courtiers during the final 11 years of his life. In particular, an accident on 24 January 1536 has drawn much attention, when the King was said by one source to have been knocked unconscious for two hours. In this History Calling video, we’ll travel back to Tudor England to look at the life of Henry VIII, one of England’s most infamous monarchs. We’ll examine the evidence that the King was injured badly enough by his falls to be brain damaged, consider whether his personality underwent a sudden and dramatic change and look at what modern doctors and historians have to say about his diagnosis. Is this good King gone bad really a misunderstood historical figure, battling a life changing head injury? Let’s find out in this Tudor history documentary.
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Muhammad Qaiser Ikram, Fazle Hakim Sajjad and Arash Salardini, ‘The head that wears the crown: Henry VIII and traumatic brain injury’ in Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2016), 28:16-9. pubmed.ncbi.nl...
Tracy Borman, ‘Leg pain, not brain damage, to blame for Henry VIII’s anger problems’ claims Tudor historian’ in History Extra (5 Feb. 2016). See www.historyext...
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[@HistoryCalling]

Do you think Henry VIII was brain damaged and that this can account for some of his behaviour in the later part of his reign? You can also find me at: BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): www.historycallingofficial.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/historycalling Amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling/

[@joeblaumer2085]

Yes henry had so many health problems and was insane and apparently blowed up in his coffin ⚰️ so it would make sense his brain was damaged

[@happy.uk.patriot]

I understood he had syphilis.

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, while I have my doubts about the brain damage, your description of him blowing up made me smile, as it is indeed kind of true (though I maybe wouldn't use that phrasing). I'll try to work the story into a future video as I'm sure a lot of people aren't aware of it. The blood licking dogs give it quite a ghoulish twist, so it's maybe something for Halloween!

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah, that old chestnut. Yes, that was a popular theory for a while, but is largely discounted now. I'll maybe address it in another video at some point.

[@happyhome41]

Wasn't he terribly obese ? That didn't happen over night, and without modern blood pressure remedies, nor diabetes for that matter -- that could be the source of a litany of ills.

[@reginaromsey]

I do believe that Henry sustained brain injuries from jousting. I base this on the evidence of brain damage to American style football players. These Ben do not show symptoms of damage every time a bruise to the brain occurs, but years of such head injuries add up. I think this happened to Henry, although it is not the sole cause of his personality changes.

[@HistoryCalling]

It's certainly possible. There may even have been injuries we don't know about.

[@intorainbowzOG]

I would think that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy would definitely be a possibility. Jousting would be as hard or harder of a hit as a football sack. As we learn more about CTE I believe we will have to take a hard look at sports.

[@jessicamilestone4026]

Happens in Soccer too

[@steppy3736]

I agree with you. Henry loved "manly sport" - jousting, wrestling, etc all things that could cause brain changes.

[@Outlaw8908]

@@HistoryCalling Maybe as the doctors did not have the medical knowledge we have on hand right now.

[@mollyleonard1915]

I've often wondered if a big part of the problem wasn't Henry's loss of Cardinal Wolsey. While Wolsey was alive, he ran the kingdom almost single-handedly, leaving Henry to play the gallant golden boy, hunting, jousting, courting, and feasting. After Wolsey's demise, Henry belatedly took the reigns himself...and that's when the real world overtook Henry's chivalric fantasies and his true character asserted itself in response. Just an idea, I'm no expert.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think Wolsey did do a lot of the work for him (and perhaps better than Henry could do it himself). It certainly was a short-sighted move to get rid of him.

[@Outlaw8908]

Psychologically that does make sense. His divorce from Catherine was also brutal on him I think. As he needed a male heir to guarantee succession, as Queens at that point were a long sour note in the nobility. Couple that with his brain getting knocked around quite a bit. You have the Tyrant of legend.

[@Outlaw8908]

@@HistoryCalling Politically speaking Henry I think was stuck in a rock and a hard place. Wolsey did mess up the divorce proceedings. To get what he wanted, a new marriage and a chance for a legitimate male heir he made a very square peg to round hole.

[@tracyhodgkins7516]

Henry was basically a grown up child in a lot of ways. It’s believed the loss of his mother at such a young age had an impact. Wolsey did do everything in the early part of Henry’s reign, that’s very true, but let’s not forget the loss of Wolsey was Henry’s fault in the first place. He got rid of Wolsey purely because Wolsey couldn’t secure the annulment Henry was desperate for. Wolsey was doing his job as Papal Legate and when he failed, Henry threw him out of office, sent him off to York and then charged him with treason. If Wolsey hadn’t died on the way back to London, there is no doubt Henry would have had his former friend executed without a second thought. The irony is that Henry virtually repeated himself in 1540 when he destroyed Thomas Cromwell on trumped up charges of treason. The difference was that Wolsey had had the benefit of being a friend of the king, not that it helped him. Cromwell had no such benefit and he was also hated by the nobility because of his low birth. He was especially hated by the Duke of Norfolk. When Cromwell fell from grace in 1540 he was on his own essentially. However, within months of Cromwell’s execution on Tower Hill, the king voiced regret for the loss of his ‘most faithful Counsellor’ and then did what he always did in times of trouble. He blamed everyone else for his actions.

[@tracyhodgkins7516]

The bigger irony is that Thomas Cromwell, though a Reformer, was devoted to Wolsey.

[@scook5599]

Based on Henry's love for the tilt and jousting, both pretty violent sports, it makes sense to me that Henry had some form of brain damage, possibly CTE. Just because Henry did not appear to suffer any injury at the time of his accidents, it does not mean that all the hits sustained to his head did not cause brain damage. The effects of CTE are not usually seen for years after the initial "injury".

[@kellyalves756]

All this seems very likely, and does not counter any observation that Henry was a horrible human being to begin with. It just exacerbates an already existing horrible personality.

[@Calucifer13]

Michael Hutchence of INXS fame suffered the infamous blow to the head by a glass bottle and immediately fell unconscious, and when he woke up in the hospital a few hours later, he was violent, verbally aggressive, and started fighting the staff. They had to let him go because he signed a reverse. Before that, he was said to be a joyful womanizer, but never violent. Said EVERYBODY who knew him. Even his family couldn´t recognize him. INXS members said they recognized the chance IMMEDIATELY.

[@paulhunter6742]

How could anyone know for certain, they didn't have CAT scanners or X ray machines to accurately track physical damage to his brain. Maybe just pressures of having watch your back so don't get a knive in it😊😢

[@scook5599]

@@paulhunter6742 True, it is impossible to know for certain. But jousting was a very violent sport with horrid collisions. So it is entirely possible that King Henry had resulting brain damage just like today's football players.

[@jeanettewatson7614]

​@@paulhunter6742Yes, no one will ever truly know the answer, but there is pre medical knowledge here we may now majorly injure our brain by falling out of bed, BUT believe me our brain has a very high percentage of fluid and any fall maks the brain bash about our skulls like you'd not believe. Henry indulged in sports that today would be either only allowable under strict governance or illegal today, he was over 6ft tall of good size even when young and sat atop of a very large horse si the fall could have been, for his head, as much as 12 to 18ft! And we oy know the injuries he sustained whilst at major events not the tilt yard, hunting etc.

[@anthonycalbillo9376]

All guys during any century, "Ouch!!"...."You okay?!"...."Yeah."

[@reginaromsey]

I was just going through the Synopsis section of the Medici Archives with a query about “Head Injury”. It seems the Florentine ambassador reported the jousting accident suffered by the French King Henry II. He reports that the king had splinters in his face but got up, shook himself off and attempted to walk away. He immediately fell down and was delivered to the doctors who aided in killing him horribly. (Not deliberately but by bunging around with the bloody great splinter that went in next to the eye. ). If Henry did go down for a time and no information to Anne might have been frightened. Champuys hated Anne and was probably happy to write off the miscarriage.

[@snippyJ]

Until now.... now they need teddy bears and crayons to soothe their hurt feelies. 🙄

[@reginaromsey]

@@snippyJ Yup! Or they finally decide they need help with that swollen ouchie and lay on the couch calling for liquid refreshment!

[@williamellis8593]

Walk it off! Walk it off! Just rub some dirt on it. It'll be okay.

[@mocat1]

“It’s just a flesh wound.”

[@Justificus]

Henry was an active contact sport enthusiast, which included jousting and wrestling. He didn't acquire these skills without constant participation. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy CTE is an ongoing major and minor concussion event/events that could be, if not the only reason, for behavioral changes in Henry. One of the most CTE damaged brains of an American football player, discovered by autopsy, was a receiver who had never experienced a major "sack" or massive injury from being blocked or tackled during his career. It is not always a blow to the head, as much as the brain being rocked and compressed rapidly inside the skull, causing internal bruising. Many forms of activity can cause major and minor concussions. Shaken baby syndrome is a prime example.

[@HistoryCalling]

All very good points. I agree it's possible that he had other injuries that we don't know about. It's just that I don't think there's enough present in the historical record to make a diagnosis in the way that was attempted by the neurologists in 2016. Many thanks for watching and commenting.

[@sweettooth_dragon9501]

I can also confirm that there have now been cases of CTE among medieval reenactors in the US. So repeated blows to the head even in a padded helmet have caused it.

[@auntkaz815]

And that first incident, when Henry was hit in the head while jousting with his helmet down. He may not have been knocked out and he may have been able to keep jousting but that does not mean he wasn’t concussed.

[@Justificus]

One more thing - along with concussive events, Henry was obese and might have had high blood pressure. Major and minor strokes can cause behavior changes even without physical disabilities. My father-in-law suffered a stroke (high BP) that limited his emotional responses. He went from a macho/reserved personality to a hyper sensitive/sentimental person that would display anger or tears at the smallest things.

[@SheilaRough]

Actress Natasha Richardson fell & hit her head during a beginner skiing lesson. She able to get up , refuse medical attention and go back to her hotel room. A few hours later, she complained of horrible headache and was airlifted to a hospital, where brain injury was diagnosed and she unfortunately passed away 2 days later. The point being that you don’t always show signs of brain injury right at the time of the incident

[@Beruthiel45]

Excellent point. That was such a tragedy, and the perfect example of why medical professionals at all levels will insist that anyone with a head injury, especially after unconsciousness occurred, be monitored for at least 24 hours. Cerebral hemorrhage isn't always instantaneous. If the lady had accepted the suggestion that she be checked she might still be with her family. It happened here in Canada so it was major news and her subsequent death was a shock to everyone.

[@BmaGrl]

Sonny Bono died in the exact same way.

[@lindaarmstrong3648]

I think a good deal of Henry’s issues later in life were from living with constant pain. He had gout and an ulcer on his leg. The medical community at the time had very few ways of treating such pain. Being in that much pain for so long would drive anybody crazy.

[@juneroberts5305]

Agree 100%. Chronic pain turns people into rude and tyrannical monsters.

[@-redacted2554]

@@juneroberts5305 extremely ignorant.

[@-redacted2554]

I have chronic pain id never hurt my loved ones he was an ass

[@juneroberts5305]

@@-redacted2554 Instead of calling me 'extremely ignorant' you could have asked why I am of that opinion. You may not be a tyrant, but you certainly are rude.

[@harrietharlow9929]

@@-redacted2554 I'm similar. When I am having really bad days, I hermit and deal with things myself. I don't want to hurt anyone.

[@LancasterHermitCrafter]

You make primary historical sources absolutely clear for those of us not in the field! Thank you for that! However, as a neuroscience student I can assure you that such accidents, as commonplace as they seem for the era, cannot possibly be inconsequential due to cerebral swelling. Unfortunately, such occurrences do not produce immediate symptoms, and in severe cases people die "out of the blue" the night of or even several days after an accident. Also, this is just one of the things that might happen. Did his head trauma trigger a personality change? Probably not. Did they exacerbate existing personality problems? Quite likely. Did the king downplay his symptoms? Seems logical, since in his position any weakness might have been detrimental. Did his doctors miss and therefore not record symptoms? Definitely yes, since they mostly had basic observation to go with, no imaging techniques or the depth of knowledge we enjoy now. In any case, while you are absolutely correct to point out mistakes made in sourcing the historical information, I think we can safely say that Henry was indeed a braindamaged king, probably not more so than his peers like Suffolk and all the others who indulged in jousting, hunting, horseback riding, etc.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

I’m not a neurologist. I’m just a retired registered nurse. If he did develop behavior changes due a traumatic brain injury the people closed to him would have mentioned the extreme behavioral and physiological changes in their letters. There would’ve been memory problems, tremors, dizziness, weakness and even incontinence. Henry was a capricious and narcissistic man with a God complex. His upbringing could’ve been a factor of his psychopathy. He spoiled his son to the point that he would’ve become as tyrannical has his father. I’m not saying I’m correct in my assessment. It’s just my opinion or the way I see it. I do agree with you when you said that these doctors should’ve consulted with historians. Eustace Chapuys was meticulous in writing events of everyday living in court. Historians credit him for getting an insight into Tudor history. I have read Kyra Kramer’s book on her theory of McLeod. We will never know because the monarchy will never allow exhumation for scientific studies. I don’t feel the need to know for sure. I think what we know of Henry VIII is enough. Thank you for another great video!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Leticia. I appreciate the insight of someone from a medical background. I've always thought major personality changes would have been more remarked upon too.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

@N That’s my believe too. The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury I mentioned would’ve been notable. Especially by Eustace Chapuys. His boss was the Holy Roman Emperor. Henry would’ve not been able to break from the Vatican. Well, this is just my opinion.

[@kittymr.hedgehog7457]

@N i agree with you although I think he was a sociopath he felt pain and remorse..for a second and then did what he wanted to do anyway.

[@irena4545]

Fully agreed on the narcissism - sweet and charming when things were going his way, and utterly vicious and lashing out when they weren't is a trademark of a narcissist. 'Been there. Head injuries or other health issues might have exacerbated the negative signs of his personality, but those had been present from the very beginning.

[@annwilliams6438]

He DID change and the changes after his concussion WERE noted by those around him, including by the Spanish Ambassador who had considerable interactions with him. :) One of the things that happened within weeks was him getting rid of Queen Anne.

[@pfranks75]

I do think concussions can cause brain damage, the more serious the more profound affect. I suffered a concussion when I was eight years old and spent 5 days in the hospital. For nearly a year afterwards I struggled to relearn how to read and spell. My parents were baffled by the decline of my school performance. I was retained in 3rd grade and for the following summer I was told the only place I could go outside my house was the library. I read for several hours a day. That experience helped me to decide to become a special education teacher and rehab. counselor.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but it's wonderful that you took that and turned it into something positive by becoming a special needs teacher and rehab counsellor. A real case of getting lemons, but using them to make lemonade :-)

[@Beruthiel45]

I was hit by a lorry at around 8 years old and while I had only scrapes and bruises I was in and out of consciousness for several days, and kept in hospital for 48 hours. I also once fell off a wall and woke up on a concrete step with a bleeding head. I have never had any negative results from either event. I consider myself extremely lucky, knowing now what was not known then - I'm 80 - that long term effects are possible from concussion. Well done for your achievements. 👍💕😊

[@lisaglass7633]

I'm still dealing with the effects of my concussion a year & 1/2 after I hit my head. Live music, dark, narrow passages & flashing lights make me feel like I'm drunk. I can't walk & if the symptoms are triggered for too long, I feel horrible the rest of the day and then get incredibly tired afterward.

[@abhanrion2561]

Chronic pain and lack of sleep can cause personality changes. I also agree with some of the comments on brain damage. Henry played hard to prove his strength and virility was greater than all. Add that to a narcissistic personality in a position of absolute power who was not good at handling disappointment, you have Henry VIII

[@sliceofheaven3026]

The thing is that the historical sources of the time might also intentionally downplay the seriousness of Henrys injuries since he is the king afterall. The same happens with todays presidents /prime ministers where the person in question might actually have a pretty severe illness that is kinda covered up in order not to give any political opponents an edge to use against them.

[@harrietharlow9929]

That is definitely a possibility.

[@fabricdragon]

as someone who has had head injury. YOU DO NOT KNOW. i felt absolutely fine shortly after my head injury- i remember thinking how lucky i was that i wasnt badly hurt. two days later i was still insisting that i was absolutely fine... even as i began to have trouble using my right arm. i assure you he could easily have had a traumatic brain injury from the joust-especially that first one- that either caused slowly appearing damage, was simply not able to be understood by Henry at the time, or led to a later stroke. and that is in addition to the cumulative long term trauma we now see in boxers and foot ball players form repeated minor head trauma

[@fabricdragon]

NOTE: i think he was an awful man to begin with... clear narcissitic personality and all the hallmarks of what today would be a sociopath or narcissist (i am not a psychologist) with his constant blaming of others when things go wrong, extreme charm, and etc but! you cannot say repeated head trauma (which he clearly had) would not have led to some long term issues, so i believe he likely had kells positive blood- and related syndrome, on top of being a nasty nasty man to begin with... and then TCE

[@lisaglass7633]

Same. After I fell & hit my head, I checked myself & deemed me to be fine. I then drove my son & I to his piano lesson. Several days later I started having neurological symptoms. I work in the medical field & I came across a patient who had a history of concussions, so I decided to refresh my memory on the symptoms. Several fit, but I was in denial until I saw a doctor a couple days later. I'm still dealing with concussion symptoms a year & 1/2 later.

[@stonesinmyblood27]

I think he was psychologically disturbed before his accidents. His head injuries then multiplied his paranoia and depression

[@alarahalbach8665]

This is a good point!

[@purpleskiesforever]

And who knows what drugs the doctors gave him for pain. You hear a lot about schizophrenia manifesting in young adults but can also be prematurely triggered by drugs/psychedelics. Happened with my uncle. He was already starting to act 'weird' as a senior in high school. As a sophomore in college, he had a very bad trip with acid and it was all downhill from that day. I wonder if certain medicines they used back then could have some sort of brain altering effect, if taken too much over a period of time.

[@HistoryCalling]

I wouldn't be at all surprised. So many of their medicines were actually poison.

[@Outlaw8908]

I don’t think I buy that.

[@purpleskiesforever]

@N I think shrooms have always been around. I just don't think they used them for medical purposes back then, but I don't know. Also, that fungus ergot on wheat/rye. Not used medically as far as I know, but still ingested. I'm not saying any of that happened for Henry VIII, but wanted to point out that naturally occurring psychedelics have been around forever. And maybe something was used back then that had unfortunate side effects and doctors didn't link it to what remedies they tried. Mercury isn't a psychedelic but will mess with your brain over time.

[@ingaandersdotter]

I really think that nobody has ever written about Henry VIII's brain injuries from the perspective of the only type of person who truly knows: a TBI survivor. More specifically, a survivor of a TBI labeled "complicated mild", which I believe is how Henry's injuries would be described today. I've seen comments even from registered nurses who simply don't understand the types of long term aftereffects caused by these specific types of TBI's. And if they don't get it, laypeople certainly won't. The only experts are those who have lived through them. And the behavioral effects and personality changes in Henry VIII are *exactly* what you would expect from this type of TBI. This is even more true because his previous jousting accidents in 1524 and 1527 almost certainly involved milder TBI's.

[@harrietharlow9929]

I wonder if that joust with the Duke of Suffolk may have done damage as well. However, his injuries don't excuse the fact that he was basically spoilt and wanted things when he wanted them.

[@amywebb4586]

1. As a chronic pain sufferer myself I can say that it can cause you to become angry, depressed, anxious, & suffer insomnia. 2. Depression can cause insomnia, and vice versa. 3. Diabetes (which Henry possibly suffered from) effects vision. Poor vision can cause headaches. Diabetes also effects wound healing so this may have effected his leg ulcers later in life. 4. Headaches can be caused by poor vision, stress, brain injuries, sinus issues, and so on. 5. Head injuries. While maybe not as severe as they could have been it has been proven that repeated head injuries & even mild concussions add up to brain damage. Henry was incredibly active in all sports of his time & possibly suffered other minor head injuries. However without a history of head CTs/MRIs showing his brain over his lifetime this probably can't ever be proven.

[@RobinMarks1313]

Hi, I have no expertise when it comes to being a king and jousting. However, I've had SO MANY concussions. I played hockey, lacrosse, and many other sports and was hit on the head and fell on my head, so many, many times. In lacrosse, I was hit on the head regularly because I was shorter than the other players and would even play against older boys when the team was short players. I was crossed checked in the head and knocked unconscious many times. It happened in hockey many times as well. I never stayed out long, but it was regular enough, that now it hit in the head, I hear an announcer's voice on a P.A. loudly saying numbers and minutes until I shake it off. So, if Henry was hit in the head during that first joust, it is definitely possible that he suffer a serious blow to the head and "walked it off". That's the advice we were given way back in the day. Show them you were tough, get up right away, give your head a shake, and carry on. Many, many times, I would suffered a black out and would told to walk it off, sit on the bench and rest for a few minutes, and then jump back on the ice or floor to go get hit in the head again. If Henry was being trained in the arts of warfare, I insist he suffered many concussions during practice in sword play, fisticuffs, and overall roughhousing with his mates. Henry probably suffered many concussions and it did have an effect on his life. It may not have determined his thinking, but it surely could have clouded his thinking. Also, he could have concussions even as a young lad, and the effects could have been apparent even when he was a teenager. And if he had been hit in the head during bouts with his mates, there would be no records. So, there is no way to say one way or another how much influence brain injuries had during his life. It was a brutal world and his brutal behaviour could have been a combination of the "machismo" and chauvinism, and his brutal, battered brain. I hate alternative histories. But this isn't that, because even if there is a speculative nature to this exercise, there is a chance that some of the theories put forward may be true. This is like trying to figure out if Napoleon was poisoned. I like these types of questions because they are more like a detective story than trying to invent or imagine a totally different timeline. One last thing, and I may have missed it if it was discussed, but I'm very curious about Henry's drinking. I know he drank, but to what extent is my question. Many people drink to excess after suffering concussions. Now I need to find out how much he drank. I'm pretty sure it was a lot since gluttony seem to be one of his many vices.

[@BmaGrl]

There is not source that exists that indicates he abused alcohol in any way, not even by that who would have had reason to report such a compromise in his character.

[@Kari_B61ex]

Sadly, we will never know for sure - although I do think that the trauma from brain injury could well have played a part in the vast contrast in behaviour and mood changes. He was married to Catherine for nearly 24 years, during which time in latter years he turned into a tyrant. There 'must' have been something that triggered the change in personality and demeanour.

[@elizabethowen8559]

A bruised ego turns all men into jerks.

[@dukey19941]

It's called a new young thing. Men still suffer from this today.

[@buffyjosmom]

+Karina Bailey Some believe he had McCleod's Syndrome, it would explain everything from his personality change and his difficulty producing a healthy living son (it mainly affects males), his wives dismal reproductive records.

[@SendPeaches]

Perhaps he was having a major midlife crisis lol

[@gorettyrogers7109]

A intricate piece of work, leading to a perfect storm according to the path of planets and multiverse spiritual warfare.

[@gratituderanch9406]

My uncle was a football player and had many concussions in his youth and adulthood, but was one of the most intelligent and capable men I’ve ever known. He had another head injury playing on a playground with his grandson near 70 years old now, and the doctor said sometime the concussions don’t show damage till one triggers them all. He now can barely talk. He’s such a sweet, dear man. And it’s been so hard to see. Thankfully he’s got a great character/heart. But it’s hard. He quite altered. Can’t even handle the household finances and he was an accountant! It’s the same thing that happened to Bruce Willis. Aphasia. King Henry could have had aphasia. There’s variety in how it effects people.

[@ARedMagicMarker]

Was Henry VIII brain damaged? History: Oh, you better believe it, bub.

[@sandracaster9516]

Our prince Henry is also brain damaged😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪

[@BognaZone]

​@@sandracaster9516I think you'd best look at William.

[@SurferJoe1]

I'm freshly brain-damaged by having just also watched your entry on Henry's exploding corpse. But I'm addicted to your channel, which I've just discovered. The careful, scientific examination and consideration of evidence and sources, and the application of reason and logic to competing scenarios make us all smarter and better students and people. Thank you...

[@catherinenewman6516]

Yes and baby king

[@grevberg]

Ever heard of the saying power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

[@HistoryCalling]

I 'absolutely' have (hehe, see what I did there?) :-)

[@corneliahanimann2173]

I heard that before, but someone else said power reveals. Give a man the power to do whatever he wants, he will do what he always wanted to do. I haven't watched the video yet but I will in a minute. I just remember this quote and don't know who said it, and it's important to know that we're not exactly born kind, we learn in life that being unkind hurts people and that it makes ourselves unpopular. I will just assume Henry lacked that type of feedback and had the power to do whatever he wanted to do. But let me find out if he had brain damage lol

[@Nana-vi4rd]

I grew up around the medical field, my mother being an Register nurse working in a hospital as well as for Doctors in their offices. Then I became a Certified Nurses Aide working in a hospital, nursing homes and doing private duty.. My younger brother while in the Marines was heading back to base on his mother cycle when he was side swiped by a eighteen wheeler. Knocked off his bike his head hitting the curb. This was before there was a Helmet law. My brother suffered from mid brain damage, leaving him unable to do anything for himself, not even able to scratch his nose. Nor could he speak. He could move his right foot to answer yes when asked a question. My point here, when Henry had that last jousting accident when he was rendered unconscious, he could very well have suffered brain damage which caused him to change drastically. We don't know the force when he was knocked from his horse or when he hit the ground.

[@AN-tn8nw]

In Gareth Russell’s book Young & Damned & Fair he describes Henry at one point as “a man who had gone rotten without ever having been ripe” which is a very good burn and I think a good description. He was a spoilt brat who grew into a tyrant imo

[@helkatww3992]

I have always thought that Henry might have developed diabetes mellitus. Often, when blood sugars are very high for prolonged periods, diabetes sufferers can display drastic personality changes, in some cases becoming violent and irrational. It would explain his leg ulcers too.

[@lynnkayee1015]

I've thought this as well! My mother, grandmother, sister and myself all have diabetes type 1 or 2. We call it the "diabetic rage." I'm extremely patient usually, I'm my bedridden mothers caregiver and I have no issues doing EVERYTHING for her...but when my blood sugar is really high, I become so agitated it is unreal. Absolutely everything annoys me and sometimes I have to take deep breaths just so I don't scream or break something. It also makes any pain from my disability seem so much worse. I think between possible brain damage, diabetes and just Henry being stubborn naturally, it would make sense that it just got worse and worse.

[@kendallcaminiti-hess2243]

All in all, I think it was that he had been raised until Arthur's death as the "Spare, not the Heir" and really wasn't given the same education that Arthur had to prepare him for taking the throne. You must remember that his father Henry VII was a miser and I'm sure that also didn't help him growing up. Henry was spoiled by his mother and kept under his father's AND his paternal grandmother's thumbs during his time before he became the heir after Arthur's death. He was allowed to do anything he well pleased EXCEPT for jousting while his father and grandmother were alive. I don't think it was just a jousting accident that led him to become the monster he was later on, but it certainly helped things along. I think he was still acting like a spoiled, rich playboy, not unlike the same ones today. But it was very tragic that not only did his immediate family suffer as a result of whatever led him to become the monster of English history but the country suffered as well. (Mary trying to return England to the Catholic Church didn't help matters either, but that's another comment for another documentary!)

[@itsjustme7487]

Some of this reminds me of his namesake. Being the "spare", being undereducated. snd spoiled . Thr hope the newer generation of royals are all well educated and taught a work ethic.

[@JennRighter]

You can absolutely suffer a head injury and continue on like normal. Look at NFL players. I fell off the roof of my apartment building last year. I remember hitting the ground. I have no memories of anything after that point for an estimated 12 to 16 hours. Yet, I returned the ladder, texted people, walked my dog, talked to neighbors, took a shower, walked my dog again (I only know this from the texts and accounts from neighbors, all pointing to me being COMPLETELY NORMAL, despite suffering a severe concussion, which is a brain injury, and being consciously blacked out). I had almost bit through my tongue from the impact and even had taken pictures of it with no recollection of doing so. I don't know how you or anyone would come to the conclusion that Henry couldn't have suffered a head injury from the first story because he carried on like normal. While there may be more severe cases that result in incapacitation, it's more common that people who suffer head injuries carry on like normal as I did.

[@ettinakitten5047]

I feel like she's doing the same thing in reverse as those neurologists she's criticizing - drawing conclusions on a question involving the intersection of two fields without having adequate knowledge of one of the fields involved or consulting someone who does.

[@tudortaffe]

I always like to think of "two Henrys", he was so fickle, he was so ill-tempered, and yet he could be tender-hearted (his love letters to Anne, for instance!)

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, you would never guess reading those letters to Anne, how it would all end up (and I'm certain she didn't either).

[@suekelley6461]

It’s called LOVE BOMBING! Also, I think both Narcissist and head injuries and diabetes did not help the situation!

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

I read his letters too, and I didn't feel any love in anything he wrote to her. All I read was narcissism, and it makes me really wish that Anne's letters to Henry survived.

[@irena4545]

@@HistoryCalling Narcissistic discard at its "finest".

[@tracyhodgkins7516]

He was tender hearted to Anne Boleyn because he wanted her in his bed. I don't think either of them had an ounce of genuine love. I think she knew how to play him and he was enticed by that. I think his love letters to her make him sound like an infatuated 12 year old.

[@jessyfontenot6885]

He could have had a brain injury from jousting. Natasha Richardson hit her head and walked around seemingly fine until she died later that night. Brain injuries are weird

[@elaineduncanson6652]

From reading history, particularly about his childhood and parents, I think his problems were mainly psychological and the result of parenting practices at the time.

[@HistoryCalling]

He definitely didn't have a loving, supportive relationship with his father and who knows what difference it would have made if only his mother had lived longer. Even his grandmother died a couple of months into the reign, so he had no parental figures left.

[@debutten]

I am a like a major history devotee, hence I really enjoy your channel a lot. You're doing an excellent job and I love the way you narrate your videos. If not a narrator by profession, I really do think you have a future in it due to your talent for it. Keep up the good work! ;) This will probably end up being a hole lot longer comment than I at first intended, lol, but bare with me ;) Good theories, but it will always be difficult to know for sure whether or not any theories makes a true eureka moment because over 500 years stand between us and the answers we seek, not too mention an over 500 years evolution within medicine and technology has passed since then, and despite the fact doctors of Henry VIII reign were not too bad at their job, they did not at all possess the medical and anatomical knowledge nor even the basic skill to diagnose that the doctors for the past 150 years have been blessed with in addition to still learning new things in their field of technology and medicine. An interesting thought is that the midwives in the Middle Ages, were a hole lot more doctors of their epoch than the actual doctors were, and pretty skilled looking after those who were needing it. They were as close to actual nurses as it was possible to become in those days without actually having all the education and training that we have possessed for since the time of Florence Nightingale The only ones that I think could have answered a surprising amount of all of our questions in regards to this particular man although not all of them, would probably be a team forensic anthropologists, but that requires being granted access to Henry VIII authentic remains which might never happen, but would be incredibly interesting if it ever did. However no matter how life is to someone or how someone gets shaped by it one way, another or several kind of ways throughout their lifespans, everyone has their own choice of will and their own mind of will, but every human being can actually make the better choices both for them selves, and also choices for the good of everyone them selves included. And here we have a king, who mostly or only made choices for the good and benefit of him self without thought or consideration for no one else. He is one of the most selfish, self-absorbed, narrow minded, egocentric, thoughtless, stony-hearted, uncaring, insensitive and ignorant kings the world has ever experienced. It makes no difference if he was brain damaged or not either by environmental causes or injuries throughout his life, or even caused by the way he was brought up. On a side note, I wonder if some injuries to the head region will make some sort of scaring inside the scull in the area where the injury occurs. For example in those cases when the brain gets shaken by trauma events, which one might think, make a bit of scaring on the brain it self although protected by a layer of fatty tissue and a membrane that surrounds it among other things, and protected inside of the skull which are one the strongest bones in the human body. Moreover it makes no difference that he and his people lived in a much different time from now and had somewhat different norms from the here and now that we like to view as the modern age because it is our era. For the humans in the past going over several 100's of years back in time, it was in a way a modern age for them. An age is modern for human beings in its own way and differs a lot throughout all the generations. When it comes down to it Henry VIII after all, in addition to being one of his eras most spoiled brats and acting upon it more or less throughout his entire lifespan, were a full blown narcissistic psychopath with quite a bit of sociopathic traits too. I don't for a second believe that this fellow had a hint of even a wee bit of guilty and remorseful conscience for anything he did, and any description of him acting like he had, is nothing more than acting almost worthy a actor's award of some kind. What we don't know for sure about human beings of the past when it comes to their physical features and how injuries may have affected them them one way or another, plus what scars and eventual permanent injuries it may have caused, we make up for in what we know in our own modern time in regards to the psychological and mental traits of human beings. We can actually recognize a lot of behavioral traits and recognize them for what they truly are, hence we can form our selves a pretty good picture of a human's bearing, habits, and manners even if it is only based on written descriptions.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Nate. Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. Yes, I agree that midwives of the time were probably some of the better educated medical professionals, just by virtue of all the hands on experience they had in their particular field. I'm afraid I don't know if any kind of brain damage would leave marks on one's skull however, so I don't know if a study of Henry's remains (whatever's left of them) would show anything. If he'd ever had something like a skull fracture, I suspect that kind of healed injury might still show.

[@debutten]

@@HistoryCalling I appreciate your response 🙂 Well, a lot of diseases, and injuries, and also work that is hard on the body, will live their mark on the bones of humans. Anthropologists, osteoarchaeologists, palaeontologists are among those who study ancient bones, fossilised bones, and such, and it's incredible what they can find out. So we might just be surprised if they ever were to study Henry VIII's remains. What is left of those depands on where and how he was burried, and wether or not the area has the right temperatur and the right kind of dryness, and if it sealed off from air seaping through cracks and stuff like that. Bones even several 1000's of years can sometimes be astonishingly well preserved and also in such good and complete state that it has the power to baffle and blow peoples minds. It for sure does baffle the heck out of me at times🤓 They of course can not tell absolutely everything, but what they can tell us is absolutely amazing 😁

[@BmaGrl]

NO king of the era would demonstrate guilt for their actions as they believed that they had been placed in their positions by God, Himself, via Divine Right of the King. Henry VIII was not the least bit unique in this way. Francis I, his French counterpart, was even more entrenched in this philosophy.

[@mangot589]

I don’t think that’s why. It might not have helped any, though. He was just LIKE that, IMO. he already was showing signs of a despot long before the accident. After the accident, he couldn’t do the things he did before, he was getting older, his health wasn’t so hot, and without exercise he turned into generally just a miserable SOB. A miserable SOB with complete power over life and death. A good deal of kings got paranoid when they got older. For good reason. Show any weakness…hey. His own father was an usurper. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

[@HistoryCalling]

I agree. I don't think it took a head injury to make him what he was.

[@lagatita1623]

Yes

[@christinaclark9754]

It could be that after the accident he had no way to work out some of the anger he had. When he got angry or hurt by something he could only think about it and get more angry. Before he could go out and hit stuff and win at things and calm down a bit.

[@vickit7149]

I tell you this, being in pain all the time, causes irritablity, Insomnia, headaches, all of it

[@crystallong9625]

I believe that he was simply just an outright blaggard who believed his station was above everything and everyone, including God. May he reap in eternity what he sowed on earth!!! Edited: For Clarity

[@georgejob7544]

He was a total tyrant when he wanted the Princess Mary Stuart ,later Queen of Scots married to his son Edward 6 and King James 5 of Scotland refused! Henry VIII came north and savaged and destroyed all the abbey's in the Scottish borders , check the " Rough Wooing" Henry VIII was tyrannical!!

[@crystallong9625]

@@georgejob7544 I completely concur, Sir!

[@rgnyc]

Appreciate the spelling of "blaggard" for blackguard, a term I haven't heard/seen used in decades.

[@dianacasey6002]

I totally love the word blaggard it’s so wonderfully descriptive

[@crystallong9625]

@@dianacasey6002 I agree!

[@nickjung7394]

Thanks once again for your hard work and excellent narration. I really look forward to your analysis of the English civil war.

[@claireconolly8355]

American Footballers who get concussion and then continue to play often display brain injuries later. Same with footballers and rugby players. Could it be something like this with Henry? Had he had some continual "knocks" in his sporting pursuits over the years and not stopped and rested for a period (like they make footballers and sports people do now?). This is the first thing I though lt when hearing of these accidents. Thanks for this brilliant video 🙏

[@Bethanyfreespeech]

Henry is just an example of absolute power corrupting absolutely.

[@danisarmi30]

The pain can definitely explain a lot. I've been in chronic pain for three years, and I'm definitely prone to anger and forgetfulness in bad days. Same as I believe his assasination of Anne came on board of catholic guilt, not a personality change. He beilieved God hadn't belssed the marriage because Catherine had been meant for Arthur and thus didn't give him a son. He got rid of his marriage, but not Catherine, to favor God, and believed that would give him a son. However, he came out with another daughter and a dead son, which he could've easily interpreted as God's punishment for "bigamy", having the former wife alive at the start of his marriage and thus not the favor of God. Killing Anne before marrying Jane was starting the marriage with a clean slate (and then God favored him a son and proved him right). Being God's annointed could get in the head of anyone, and believing nothing has consequence in the afterlife because of this could easily lead to horrid actions with no remorse. I wouldn't discount those bumps in the head to have exacerbated the already bad behaviors with time, though

[@kittye8340]

I certainly agree. Henry could convince himself of anything. He convinced himself that his relationship with Catherine of Aragon was sinful due to her previous marriage to Arthur and thats why they had no sons. Then, as you say, he convinced himself that the reason he had no sons with Anne was because of Bigamy. And by killing Anne and marrying Jane he had a son, which only confirmed his delusions. He was a narcissist and was able to move the goal post and bend things so that he was never wrong.

[@lagatita1623]

Gee maybe he should gave just accepted,maybe I won't have anyvsurvivkbg sons? Like accept Gods will and all that.

[@kittye8340]

@@lagatita1623 Narcissists cannot accept they are wrong or at fault

[@lagatita1623]

@@kittye8340 yes. I'm wondering if they are born or created?

[@nancyrubano-nord5265]

I appreciate your very factual way you present your videos. You present the facts very well and go out of your way to share the books and documents you use to support these facts. Thank you for doing so.

[@Edward-bm7vw]

Possibly a side of affect of CTE? All that jousting Henry did could jostle the brain enough analogous to a defensive linemen slamming against another on a regular basis. Then again I don't know how often jousters go for the head or hit the head - even with a helmet on.

[@HistoryCalling]

Perhaps, yes.

[@Ciccigreen]

I’m new to the channel but I’m really enjoying your explanations regarding primary and secondary sources and general scientific method!

[@johntshorter]

while we'll never know for sure, i think henry viii did sustain some sort of neurological damage over the course of his jousting career, but these made, little, if any, contributions to his so-call personality change. i think his accidents and his chronic leg injury especially, demonstrated to him the fragility of his own life and the insecurity of his dynasty which themselves sparked a dogged determination to hold on to the throne and sire the male heir necessary to ensure the survival of tudor rule in england. what many people forget is that the memory of the cousins' war (and the mythologized origin and necessity of the nascent tudor dynasty) was still very fresh in minds of the english nobility and would have been drilled into henry from an early age. the deaths of his mother and brother further proved to him the importance of dynastic security and him receiving the suffocating obligations of the rule and reproduction of this new royal house at the age of 10 left indelible marks on his psyche and personality. his fall in 1536 and anne's subsequent miscarriage, in my opinion, confirmed her unsuitability for the task of birthing the necessary heirs and her execution was a matter of convenient political maneuverings at court so he could wed again and begin trying for a son with a new queen as quickly as possible. he married jane mere days after anne's death and moved on to his fourth wife (to produce the proverbial spare) just months after hers. his 5th marriage to a much younger woman was again an attempt to produce the needed spares as his brother's death demonstrated in 1501. henry's executions were also indicative of a fierce determination to hold on to power in an increasingly destabilized kingdom still reeling from the shock of reformation, as well as the mounting of continental foes this invoked, as he awaited the maturity of the prince of wales and the possible births of additional sons. any injuries sustained to the brain may have exacerbated these impulses but did not change the over-indulgent, bombastic, and absolutist henry viii in any real way as far as my interpretation goes.

[@suekelley6461]

With that injury if it’s so deeply ingrained like you’re saying which makes sense about having the hair, the animal bring any part left would be holding onto that, so yeah I could see that both ways have a great day

[@sharond478]

I always thought that syphilis was a factor in his behavior.

[@wallyjansen898]

It was! It made him a megalomaniac too.

[@lorrainecasey749]

Yes doesn’t syphilis send you mad? And it was rampant in those times

[@sailorgirl2017]

A brain injuries inability to control impulses would exacerbate this, I think.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, there is an older theory that he had syphilis. It's been mostly discounted though, so I tend to think he was just a seriously unpleasant individual made worse with chronic pain. Not someone I'd ever want to deal with, let alone be married to.

[@BintyMcFrazzles]

Henry didn't have syphilis, it's a myth.

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

An excellent debunking. He must have been going through agony at times with his legs which would have affected his moods. Perhaps he also recognised how much he had changed from the vigorous younger Henry and that weighed on his mind. He went from the spare to the heir and growing up like that would have been difficult too. Thank you, really appreciate the academic quality of this channel and your sign off.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think he suffered a severe comedown from his younger days. It may be uncharitable of me, but I also think he deserved a lot of what he got, given how badly he'd treated other people. I'm glad you're liking the videos. Yes, I really do think people should always keep learning. It helps to keep the old brain ticking over :-)

[@edithengel2284]

Yes, I'm sure this was an increasing factor as Henry aged, and I think it explains the strength of Henry's rejection of Anne of Cleeves, who did not recognize him or guess it was him, when he came to her in disguise. If she was expecting the Golden Boy of his first youth, it's no wonder she didn't know who he was, or that, when having had a dose of reality, Henry rejected her, claiming it was actually due to *her* physical appearance.

[@Cnidocytes]

I had the great privilege of being guided through Hampton Court Palace by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb herself in 2017. She is nothing short of brilliant, and I am absolutely delighted to see her research in your sources. Fantastic work here, and keep fighting the good fight for the use of primary sources!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I always enjoy her documentaries. I'm sure she gave an excellent tour. Primary sources really are key to history. So many people just take what they see on TV shows and in the movies as gospel.

[@jenniperkins4260]

She is my favorite historian ! She’s so beautiful too

[@meganthompson6727]

I find it hard to believe that the force of both being hit in the head with a lance (causing it to splinter) and falling from a horse in full armour would not result in brain injury. It was reported that he was not hurt - but we know more now even about the force of the brain hitting inside the skull during falls, tackles etc. And the injury is not always apparent. With the Tudor fear of no heir, he was also incentivised to play “fine”, so I don’t really think most accounts could be trusted. Could the Spanish and French Ambassadors be fooled? I’m sure not if he’d been knocked unconscious during the tilt, but maybe he could if issues arose later on. Any weakness in the King would probably be expected to lead to an invasion by Spain or France.

[@ItsJustLisa]

I suspect that somewhere between your assessment of the primary sources and those who believe his multiple jousting accidents lies the truth. Another commenter mentioned CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) that has been diagnosed or suspected in several players in our National and American Football Leagues here in the US. There was even a player in the last few years that gave up his very lucrative and successful career because he’d suffered some concussion injuries and he did not want to suffer more of them for fear of developing CTE. It is possible that Henry had some aspects of CTE. However American football players, boxers and other athletes who may develop CTE also participate in their sports far more regularly than Henry was jousting. It’s not like he was practicing daily for weeks and participating in weekly tournaments for entire seasons such as an autumn football schedule or spring baseball schedule. While his jousting accidents might have contributed a little, the assessment that he came to the throne as a teenager who wasn’t groomed to be king until he was 11 or so when he was suddenly needed as “the spare” seems far more likely. As you said, no one told him “No.”. His mother wasn’t around to temper him and parent him, his father had had no real use for him until Arthur died and once his father died, he held all of the power basically unchecked. He had advisors, but no one with real veto power to tell him to “knock it off” when he went off the rails because doing so could cost them their heads. And it seems that Henry never “aged gracefully”. I think that up until the 1540s, he was still that teenage “stud muffin” in his own eyes that he’d been in 1510. It’s like actors who can’t see past the role that made them famous in their youth and keep trying to play it even though they’re in their 40s or 50s instead of maturing as performers with the roles they play. A teen or 20-something playing an ingenue is believable and appropriate. A 40-something is not. A teenage king is expected to be somewhat impulsive. After 20 years on the throne, he absolutely should not have been.

[@WickedFelina]

Henry reminds me of narcissists I have dated. They can be charming when it is in their best interests to get what they want then, cruel and abusive when they have taken complete control over the person they are sucking the life out of. Their personality changes wildly, and shows signs of paranoia. They have no feeling for anyone but themselves. They are so full of themselves they are completely unable to feel anyone's pain but their own. Everyone must cease trying to fix their own problems and focus on the narcissist's, for the narcissist's problems and the narcissist are the ONLY thing that matters in the world. If they don't outright kill you, you will die from neglect, poverty and/or suicide having the life force sucked out of you. Also, you may go insane from the intense fear, knowing whatever goes wrong is your fault - no matter what it is, and who caused it. You fear for your life and a punishment you have no idea what or how painful it will be. If you have family and/or friends to extract, and protect you from this deadly relationship you might survive. If you are alone or your family are narcissists as well, if you don't lose your mind, maybe you will be able to get out. Most likely it will kill you. I believe that this is most likely the cause. Narcissistic personality disorder is now considered a psychosis or borderline psychosis. If you ask me, witnessing this huge personality shift, it IS a psychosis.

[@ettinakitten5047]

You sure do love using psychiatric terminology you don't understand, don't you?

[@WickedFelina]

@@ettinakitten5047 I have taken extensive college courses earning degrees in psychiatric care on the matter after many hours working with abused women, children of domestic violence situations, and suicidal patients. I have also, worked in hospitals dealing with direct care of psychotic, neglected individuals and children of alcoholic parents who have developed schizophrenia. I also have worked 24 hr shifts with elderly psychiatric patients. What have you done, and what degree(s) in the subject have you taken?

[@WickedFelina]

@@ettinakitten5047 Look up "Narcissistic Personality Disorder" is it a mental illness/psychosis on the web and see what you get. You may not have ever heard the term or, read up on it before. Google before you comment.

[@WickedFelina]

@@ettinakitten5047 I am going to take a guess that you did not google "narcissistic personality disorder is it a mental illness?" Just read the summary. There was no need to have left the comment. Thank you!

[@mlpencola]

Fantastic and properly detailed information/ video! Thoroughly enjoyed! Thanks for all that went into making this.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. You're very welcome.

[@robertdudley4017]

I agree you have summed Henry and his so called brain damage perfectly, he was full of his own self inportance and blamed others for his mistakes, well narrated and presented as always.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Robert (love the username by the way, which I assume is a little nod to Lord Leicester!)

[@robertdudley4017]

@@HistoryCalling thank you milady very kind of you, indeed you are correct about Leicester. 👍

[@robertdudley4017]

@@HistoryCallingI would like to know your opinion on Amy robsart 's death, accident or murder? Perhaps you can do a video on her at some point.

[@danielbruns1675]

Agreed. There seems to me, and this is just observation, that many persons in professions having anything to do with mental illness, brain damage, or cognitive decline, are expanding into the speculative. There is money in it. Thus, why would the researchers that History Calling just exposed have had any inclination to hire or share profits with a historian when they already knew what outcome they wanted to find?

[@meganlyb83]

I know that others have already commented about the research on CTE in football players. And I believe, someone correct me if I’m wrong, but with the research on football players, they are hypothesizing that it’s due to their heads getting knocked around inside of their helmets? And it’s also not necessarily only about the really huge hits where they get a concussion. Research is also showing that it’s also the many, many subconcussive hits that occur over the course of a football players career. So to only focus on the few “big” head injuries that we know Henry had, and/or to discount the seriousness of those injuries just because he didn’t lose consciousness, doesn’t line up with current research on CTE. It’s well documented that Henry loved to be active in his youth with many sporting activities, so it wouldn’t be a huge leap to say his head was banged around quite a bit, including inside of his helmet while jousting, just like modern football players experience today in their helmets.

[@tamberinns3931]

I think he has every sign of narcissism and sociopathy. He appears to not be able to give or receive REAL love and although full of himself, at times, showed incredible insecurity. I also think pain has an impact on his tolerance and compassion for others. Not convinced he had any brain damage. Love your content 💛x

[@elizabethowen8559]

Yeah, I think he was a See You Next Tuesday to begin with, although accidents likely didn’t help. I know the ulcer in his leg made him incredibly moody and the medicine in those days was useless.

[@sailorgirl2017]

I agree, but isn't it possible that both were at issue and true. Absolutely he was a sociopath with a narcissistic personality disorder but that doesn't mean brain injury didn't occur. In Arthur's time, no one dare criticize him so it's easy to see why no Brits gave that any support.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Tamberinn. I agree he doesn't seem to have really loved anyone (I don't think you can claim you really loved someone if you end up having them beheaded, or dumping them). I think the lack of an heir and not having a huge kingdom, like France or Spain did, made him insecure too.

[@BLARG09]

I think people want to believe it wasn't all him and blame his horrible behavior on some kind of damage.

[@susannahfox7188]

I totally agree. Narcissism. Axis 2 personality disorder. Frequently psychopathic as well as sociopathic. They change their minds on a dime. And want absolute control in every situation.

[@heppokomaru8641]

Says; “His head had to be pulled out of the mud.” Also says; “Nothing here suggest he was unconscious.”

[@bassethoundproductions3897]

Excellent points about the importance of primary sources and the need to consult a specialist in the field one is writing about.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I would never attempt to write a journal article looking at the history of medicine without consulting someone with a medical degree. I'm sure the authors are very smart, talented people, but they're no more historians than I am a neurologist.

[@MyWithnail]

You can get personality change from cardiac problems. His diet was pretty meat heavy and would have caused furred arteries. My dad's character changed towards his health issues when he had similar problems,including depression.

[@dll_Rhemuth948]

I know from personal experience that a neurological injury can actually manifest symptoms years after the initial injury has occurred. Therefore, he could have been injured worse than expected, and only later exhibited the symptoms of that initial trauma. I do believe (not having read the primary sources….my area of expertise is in a completely different time/place/examination of identity) CTE Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy can be a viable diagnosis (short of creating a time machine to go back and see the events for ourselves) for the personality changes.

[@amandaclairmont4259]

A lot of other jousters may well have had brain damage from multiple hits, like American football players. Many of them would have died before the symptoms become apparent, either in battle or from disease. Not a doctor, but my understanding is that in the event of multiple hits, it can take years for symptoms to appear.

[@bishoukun]

4:29 Yes, actually, he could have done exactly that with a severe brain injury. Why do you think people are told not to go to sleep for several hours when they have fallen and might have a concussion, even though they feel completely fine? Because it can take several hours for any symptoms to arise, and sleeping before being sure there are no other indications of trauma will put them at risk of vomiting in their sleep if they do in fact have an injury. Your accusation that neurologists cut corners when you're claiming a process of neuro-truama that is well-documented doesn't happen at all is full-on hypocritical. Finding channels who don't go with the fads or entertain the more "interesting" theories and who cite sources of any kind is difficult, but you're citing... a drama TV show known to be full of crunches and inaccuracies in your description? Along with arguing that medical professionals don't know their own field. I half expect to find a video in my recommended now from your channel about why getting boosters of the COVID vaccine doesn't offer any benefit or attempting to claim that the vaccine inherently prevents a person from getting the virus as opposed to teaching our bodies how to stop it from producing severe symptoms. I cannot even put to words my disappointment and frustration with due unadulterated vehemence.

[@kimidoodles]

Ok Karen

[@anjaurbanc6353]

I actually shake my head reading all the praising comments, I think the video is pretty poorly done. I completely agree with you.

[@Calidastas]

She wrecked them. The entire premise for their findings was undermined. You clearly didn’t listen. These neuro guys just tried to publish a sexy paper for citations and got caught with their pants down. Ethically dubious to try and diagnose someone from 500+ years ago.

[@Beruthiel45]

​@@CalidastasAnd yet, it happens all the time, even by diagnosing the source and spread of deadly diseases from fossils, and, for example, why was Beethoven in such poor health by scrutinising his hair which they had to link definitively to him via a known modern relative. Etc. etc. I believe your comment to be rather disingenuous. Medical professionals do this all of the time. It isn't always for fun nor for glory, but to further useful knowledge, and has done so. Recent case in point. Bubonic plague discovered in an Egyptian mummy, when it was thought to be a medieval pandemic. Syphilis was thought to be introduced to the west from the Americas, which was disputed. New research has proved that yes, syphilis which spread all over Europe had it's source in the Americas. I think you get my drift.

[@MK_Nay]

I absolutely love your work! I already know so much about the Tudors, but I always learn something new when I come to your channel. I would love to see a video (or if you could suggest some sources) on (Queen) Lady Jane Grey. Even though she only reigned nine days, she was still a queen in her own right and is never given enough credit or attention. For example, why is she known as Lady and not Queen? I find her fascinating and would love to learn more!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks MK. Jane is on the list for future videos. I think she's known as Lady because Mary I dated her reign from the same day and Jane's right to succeed was very dubious. Once Mary had ousted her, she would never have allowed her to be referred to as a Queen or former Queen again and I doubt Elizabeth would have done so either. Basically, no one ever really got into the habit of calling her Queen.

[@MK_Nay]

@@HistoryCalling So excited for those videos, thank you! Wow, I never thought of it that way, thank you for bringing that to my attention! And thank you for taking the time to reply. It is much appreciated.

[@KATHIESHOES]

New to the channel... showed up as a Recommendation. I instantly subscribed. You have a pleasant voice and are quite knowledgeable on the subject matter. I look forward to seeing more!

[@michellestevens4749]

Sometimes being relentless…a second child…constantly under pressure from some inherited circumstances leftover from father. Excuses but sometimes you don’t have a capability of taking a step back to look at the whole picture.

[@iama2509]

People don't realise how stressful leading is. To be a King knowing any wrong word or action could mean death to your family/country.. it probably doesn't help.

[@Chuck0856]

He was not the second child, he was the third. He was the second son.

[@fredscholpp5838]

I am quite impressed by the scholarly treatment of the research and theories! the reliance on primary sources is so refreshing; your work is what documentaries should be and more often than not fail in the face of "entertainment" and low budget "research". My only question is: who is the person/persons associated with this excellent channel? (hard to find in the credits, despite otherwise excellent citations)

[@lolapkh]

Thanks for this excellent video. Your evidence based approach in trying to answer questions about the state of mind of King Henry VIII and whether this was a result of brain injuries is a fascinating way to seek to understand his actions and behaviour. There have been studies on football players who have developed dementia and a possible link to the amount of times they used their heads to direct the football

[@paytonriley6981]

I personally think he had brain damage not just caused by three major brain injuries, but as a compounding result of several minor brain injuries *over time.* Gradual brain injuries from jousting, combined with his spoiled lifestyle, near-unlimited power as king, his potential medical conditions as he grew older, and likely mental illnesses he developed through his life… ALLLL of those factors likely resulted in the Henry VIII that we know and hate.

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Thank you for a fascinating video, History Calling! I suspect that Henry's behaviour may have been due to both heredity *&* environment. His father, Henry VII, slid into paranoia in his later years, & I believe that Henry inherited that tendency. Plus, a series of injuries from jousting & other sports may have had an *accumulative* impact on Henry's health. Add a festering sore on his leg & obesity (which limited his physical activity in later life), & you have one unhappy, raging, paranoid Tudor monarch.

[@michimelody4036]

I wonder if Henry VIII had BPD.... He 'split' with people when they couldn't give him what he wanted, he actually grieved them when they 'abandoned' him after he killed them, he bounced from relationship to relationship and had horrid interpersonal skills.... (I have bpd so it's just a thought since I recognize traits in things I've studied trying to understand my life a bit more.)

[@rachellebrehm2268]

I really enjoyed watching this, and have heard most of the theories put forth over the years, but I think you hit the nail on the head (and something so patently obvious it was looking all of us including myself in the face) is the very distinct & likely possibility that Henry was a spoiled little shite that threw temper tantrums when things didn't go the way he thought they ought to have...

[@faronrich9381]

I would love someone to do an in-depth study on the possibility that Henry had diabetes, just plain old boring diabetes. After 1536, Henry appeared to have a couple of the major symptoms of poorly controlled diabetes a wound that wouldn't heal, suspected impotence, and cognitive changes. The last symptom is not well known to the general public, but diabetes does as much damage to the brain as it does to the kidneys and blood vessels. Most of the possible diseases suggested for Henry's health problems are zebras, while the much more common and likely disease, diabetes, is barely mentioned.

[@BlancheNeigefan]

I always wondered about that!

[@HistoryCalling]

Me too :-) It's not as clear cut as some would have you believe.

[@missvidabom]

16:51. Damn. What a scathing review of a person’s hideousness out in such an eloquent way.

[@oldyellerschannel4676]

Didn't BBC produce shows where they state that Henry's horse fell on top of him? I would think that would cause a lot of injury, and it was also alleged that the leg ulcer was caused also by the crushing by his horse. I would think BBC would be accurate in their depictions, and would check their sources. Are you saying they are also wrong?

[@GratiaCountryman]

As you look at the citations, please remember that nearly all public libraries can get the articles that are behind paywall on Interlibrary Loan, often at no charge, or for significantly less than what the publisher charges for an article or day pass.

[@GreatGreebo]

Wow! The amount of misinformation surrounding King Henry VIII is shocking! And so much of it is presented as the truth. Thank you for this excellent video.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Greebo :-) I'm glad you liked the video.

[@margo3367]

As far as Henry VIII goes, I’m divided between blaming his various injuries on his worsening temper, or, more likely, him just being a really evil s.o.b.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

I'm trying to ascertain why they keep saying King Henry VIII was handsome as a young man. I just don't see it. No he wasn't brain damage just evil tyrannical and use to having his way.

[@HistoryCalling]

I suppose it's a matter of perspective. He probably met the conditions for good looks at the time, especially with his unusual height and athletic build. He might not be considered as good looking by modern standards.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

@@HistoryCalling 👍I hear this a lot too Thank you for your feedback

[@dukey19941]

I'd like to see portraits of his younger years. All I have seen is the older obese pics. I always heard he was described as handsome and athletic when he was young.

[@jessicaellina3878]

I believe he was particularly proud of his well shaped legs... and unfortunately wore very tight garters below his knees to emphasis them... l heard that this practise contributed to his bad circulation and ulcers in later life.

[@lagatita1623]

Yeah me too. I mean his grandparents were nicer looking but most if the British royals ain't 10s in the looks department

[@HawkqOjOp]

As someone here also said, we may never know for sure. I'd like to partially discount that. Maybe we just don't know YET. You may know about the finding of author Sandra Velosi, that a contemporary note indicates that Henry expressed great regret (forget exact word) re his execution of Anne while on his deathbed. And even more recently, a young historian has discovered more handwritten notes in Anne Boleyn's book of hours, which revealed to her a plethora of new info such as the owners of this book after Anne (most female) and info about Anne's relationship with one of those 'famous' holders of the book. This is all being revealed at Hever Castle's channel and their website, if you are a patron, and future videos are expected. This to me, proves that we haven't discovered everything yet and as our talented historians keep digging, we may obtain more detail about Henry's health as well!

[@HistoryCalling]

I'm not aware of Henry expressing regret over Anne's death, but I have read/watched the story about the book of hours at Hever Castle. It's really fascinating. I love it when we get new, unexpected information like that. I don't think anything will ever beat finding Richard III, but Anne's book is still brilliant. I hope we learn more about Henry too.

[@lauriemarie6902]

I haven't watched the video yet but yes he was crazy.

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

Very good channel. Well written and brilliantly narrated...subbed

[@tracymcardle7395]

IMO The mind of Henry was not damaged by jousting, to many unsubstantiated reports and no proof, nobody can know, I agree with you he was a spoilt nasty man who had his own way and developed into a monster.

[@MrMalvolio29]

As a Renaissance and Baroque literary scholar, when considering texts and their context of the Henrician Tudor Period, I often find Chapuys to be one of the *most* reliable sources for understanding events occurring within HENRY VIII’s royal court. Even Chapuys’s Roman Catholic sympathies do not often cause him to distort the events on which he is reporting for the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain Charles V/Charles I. I’m quite frankly surprised these Yale neuroscientists did not consult his letters/correspondence. The common “speculation” (for such *is,* in fact, all it is) that I often come across with fellow Tudor poetics and rhetoric scholars, and Tudor historians is that Henry VIII’s many horse accidents in the 1520’s had a sort of “cumulative effect” of damage to Henry’s temporal lobe, which--it must be conceded--*can* cause serious changes to personality. Yet what must *also* be conceded is that the actual archival, primary-source *evidence* for such “temporal-lobe damage” to the King’s brain is scant, and mostly circumstantial. One can make the equally compelling circumstantial argument that, rather than brain damage causing the shift in Henry VIII’s character as a ruler, the major damage done to **his legs** by the fall in 1536, which *never* fully healed; left the king with constantly running, stinking, and chronically painful leg ulcers for the remainder of his life; severely limited his mobility, resulting in the monarch’s eventual morbid obesity; and quite possibly rendered him impotent was the psycho-somatic cause of the marked changes in Henry’s character in his last years. Chronic pain--and the exacerbating “treatments” Tudor physicians applied to the ulcers--could quite plausibly have induced severe depression snd rage in the King.

[@jennaolbermann7663]

Thank you for this video! I believe that Henry was ill equipped to be king and was spoiled by those around him while growing up. I have wondered how Arthur’s rule would have been had he survived.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, Arthur is one of the great historical 'what ifs' isn't he. Of course he might have been even worse than Henry...

[@Katti4100]

That was a well thought out commentary on a very interesting subject. I have read several books on the state of Henry’s health, mind and so on. He did suffer from carious ailments at a time when very little could be done. He certainly had terrible pain from his ulcer and that in it self could explain his temperament. Constant pain changes people. Add absolute power and thwarted dreams, well you get a Henry. Love your videos, keep them coming please

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Katherine. Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

[@donnaparnell4639]

there is also the theory that he had syphilis. Syphilis can invade the nervous system at any stage of infection, and causes a wide range of symptoms, including headaches and altered personality .

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Donna. Yes, there is an older theory that perhaps Henry had syphilis, however that has been largely discounted by more modern scholars. You never know though!

[@donnaparnell4639]

@@HistoryCalling it also causes miscarriages.. so that could explain a lot

[@annabasnatural]

From a medical perspective I don’t think you can just write off that last fall he had. Even if he wasn’t unconscious, the primary source says the onlookers were surprised he had survived indicating it must have been a brutal hit. Chapuys saying he wasn’t hurt doesn’t really mean anything because he would only know of broken bones, scars and obvious injury. It’s more than possible that Henry could have had a severe head injury that no one would have been aware of. The brain is an amazing thing. I mean look at what happened to Phineas Gage! I agree the other two falls are slightly suspect but that third one could have caused a serious issue

[@Outlaw8908]

Given the forces involved in jousting, and the final accident he had. I would comfortably confirm that he probably did. Though that is not taking into account the psychology behind it.

[@Outlaw8908]

@Jean Rhodes Diabetic Strokes? Interesting… though I doubt anyone will give off a detailed reading of his doctors records. Yeah they have those, just one problem. The medical knowledge then is not what it is now. So they may have missed something.

[@VeracityLH]

As someone who has dealt with chronic pain for 20+ years as well as insomnia and migraine, I think you may be right about Henry. It certainly has altered my life. I used to be a math prodigy, very organized and logical. These days I sometimes have trouble with even basic math and cannot organize to save my life. Dealing with chronic pain does actually change your brain chemistry.

[@csh43166]

Regardless of the causes, Henry's mental health seems to have been extremely unstable, to say the least... The stresses of being a king, husband and father, injury and who knows how many illnesses and treatments he had over his lifetime, plus, undoubtedly, personality disorders, would definitely cause mental issues...

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, he doesn't seem to have been terribly stable as the years wore on.

[@TroglodyteDiner]

The weight gain is actually one of the strongest pieces of evidence that suggest a TBI. The hypothalamic tracts that control satiety were torn and his appetite subsequently had no 'off' switch. The formerly trim king got fat as a house, much more so than would be expected with normal aging.

[@foxesofautumn]

While I believe he may have had some kind of neurological concern after years of chronic pain, if nothing else, a good deal of his personal foibles can be traced to his situation, the expectations at the time and the constant risk his position held. As you said he was spoilt, had great power from an early age, and was one to dismiss women. Nothing about where he ended up is a surprise.

[@aquastar4336]

Sooo happy I found this channel!! Thank you!🌹💕

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you too :-)

[@trishplanck9776]

I would tend to agree with you that though Henry had suffered various injuries throughout his life which could, in part, explain some of his erratic behavior, I also think he was a product of his family, environment, and ego. When there are little consequences for bad behavior why would he bother to change?🥴

[@johnny196775]

I absolutely loved this. I burst out laughing loudly when you observed that being a grumpy old man who was paranoid in Tutor England when you have had so many important people killed isn't a sign of brain damage!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Chris :-)

[@jamestnov41945]

I agree Madam with your final conclusion. Murderer, spoiled and who is going to point out his failings?

[@HistoryCalling]

Exactly. No one who like having their head on their shoulders, that's for sure.

[@johnpeter4184]

Having survived three helmeted concussions, two motor bike, one push bike makes me an expert on drain bamage.. The brain can rewire itself given time to do so. Some memory can be lost but cognitive ability can be restored. Henry's leg causing black face has me wondering about mild sepsis and it's impact on organ function given one third of blood circulation goes to the brain. But there is no way of knowing. I did not know of the use of lead medication. That's chilling. Thank you for this upload teacher. 🍎 As I do agree with your final analysis.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks John and that's a good idea about the sepsis. I'm sorry to read about your accidents. I hope you're all better now.

[@johnpeter4184]

Doing better than most at 74. Last head injury was 15 years ago. You are compassionate and it's reflected in how you teach, staying in the context of the period.

[@kennypham3856]

From my rough research, he was already aggressive and controlling before his jousting incident! I've also heard that the drugs he took for his injuries might have played a part in his severe mental health issues, if you can even call them that!

[@josephfarkas5657]

I just found your channel! I was just learning about this period in the early-modern era. With Henry VIII, I also think he kind of followed in his father's footsteps as he too became increasingly paranoid and tyrannical in older age. It's also ironic that Elizabeth was the heir he could have dreamed of and Mary truly emulated her father's brutality.

[@robnewman6101]

There was so little beauty during that time. So much suffering. Elizabeth 1998. Historical Drama Movie.

[@ParisBelle792]

The most recent case, not the first and probably won't be the last. An American Football player killed six people and himself. He had playrd football for 25 years and the dammage added up. With modern medicine it still happens. Head injuries that didn't seem all that dramatic at the time also were probably not even mentioned. He would've brushed himself off and gotten back on for six jousts, even if it's a stupid idea. American football players until very recently were put back in the game and told to "shake it off". When adrenaline coursing through your body you're also less likely to know how severe your injury is. Dave Grohl ( Foo Fighters) fell 12 feet off a stage and broke his leg and dislocated his ankle. He didn't feel pain at the time and played for about two more hours with someone holding his foot in place.

[@ancabostinariu6550]

I am sure he was btsin damaged after so many blows to the hesd. He had injuries similar to the football players and they die in their 30s and 40s. They have lesions similar to those of Alzheimer s. He also drank . He also was a narcissist.

[@bluestrife28]

Henry VII tried to keep his son from doing these sports because he feared this exact problem.