Henry VIII

Henry VIII (The Life of King Henry the Eight)

    Alternative Title: All Is True

    Author: William Shakespeare and John Fletcher

    Pf: c.1612, London

    Published: 1623

    Genre: Hist. drama in 5 acts; blank verse and some prose

    Setting: London, Westminster, and Kimbolton, 1520–36

    Cast: 35m, 4f, extras

Cardinal Wolsey, who is the most powerful man at the court of Henry VIII, orders the arrest of the supposed traitor, the Duke of Buckingham. He is tried, found guilty, and sent to his death. Wolsey now uses his influence to persuade the King to divorce his wife Katharine, in preparation for a marriage with a French princess. Archbishop Cranmer is sent to Rome to negotiate the divorce. Henry's fancy has been caught by the young Anne Bullen (Boleyn). They marry in private. Wolsey now falls into...

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