Was Henry VIII a Brain Damaged King? | Henry VIII’s Jousting Accidents

From 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.