British Library Henry VIII Podcasts

The Great Bible, produced for Henry VIII in 1541, was the first authorised Bible in English. The illustration on the frontispiece, showing Henry taking the Word from God and passing it down to the people, is impressive enough. But as Richard Rex of Queens' College, Cambridge, tells Rob Ainsley, what's hidden behind its surface reveals much about Henry, his religion, and his politics.

Half-remembered cliches about Henry VIII abound. But many are the products of film fantasy rather than fact. We ask people in the street to tell us what they think they know about England's most talked-about king. Exhibition guest curator Dr David Starkey puts the record straight.

Anne Boleyn's book of private devotion is not only a splendid example of Flemish religious book painting.

It is also a unique and intimate glimpse into her affair with Henry VIII. A remarkable written exchange between her and Henry on its pages reveals a lot about what drove the king to remake England from scratch -

all for the love of a woman and her tempting promises.

Hilary Mantel frequently brings the darker side of history into her work. Here she reads from and discusses Wolf Hall, set in the world of Henry VIII’s notorious chief minister Thomas Cromwell. With Erica Wagner, Literary Editor of The Times, and historian Derek Wilson.

Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 27 May 2009.

This book of psalms was Henry's personal copy, used for private devotion. The rich illustrations show how he wanted to be seen as a modern-day King David, a pious harpist slaying the Goliath of the papacy. His marginal notes on the other hand reveal his innermost thoughts. James Carley of York University, Toronto, talks to Rob Ainsley about this beautiful and intriguing little book.

Among Henry VIII's less-recognised achievements was to pioneer modern cartography. Tudor maps expert Peter Barber explains how Henry changed maps, and how maps changed England. Introduced by Andrea Clarke.