King Henry VIII quotes from The Tudors

Queen Katherine

Though I love Your Majesty and I'm loyal to you, in every way, I cannot disguise my distress and unhappiness.

King Henry VIII

Well, you're going to have to.

King Henry

Tell me about King Francis, Sir Thomas.

Thomas Boleyn

He's 23 years old.

King Henry

Is he tall?

Thomas Boleyn

Yes. But ill proportioned.

King Henry

What about his legs? Are his calves strong like mine?

Thomas Boleyn

Your Majesty no one has calves like yours.

King Henry

Is he handsome?

Thomas Boleyn

Some people might think so. He certainly thinks so himself.

King Henry

He's vain?!

Thomas Boleyn

Your Majesty... he's French!

Thomas More

As a humanist I have an abhorrence of war. It's an activity fit only for beasts yet practiced by no kind of beasts so constantly as by man.

King Henry

As a humanist I share your opinion. As a King, I'm forced to disagree.

Thomas More

Spoken like a lawyer.

King Henry

You should know, you taught me.

Thomas More

Not well enough it seems.

Do you see that young woman over there? Dressed in purple and gold?

King Henry VIII

Yes.

Her name is Mary Boleyn, the daughter of your ambassador, with her sister Anne. I call Mary my english mare, because I ride her so often.

King Henry VIII

I will not sign! Tell Francis I will not sign the treaty!

Thomas More

All right! If you want the world to know that the King of England is easily changeable, shallow, intemperate, incapable of keeping his word! Then of course I will go and tell them. After all, I am merely Your Majesty's humble servant!

Together we shall invade France and bring to an end the adventures of that libertine monarch, King Francis.

King Henry VIII

That would make me very happy.

It will also make you king of France.

King Henry VIII

[to Wolsey] What we lack in men, we can more than make up for in ships. We are in an island race, Cardinal. We have the best and bravest sailors in the world. I will have the greatest navy.

Ships are expensive, your Majesty.

Henry VIII

My father was a clever man, your Eminence. A shrewd man. A businessman. He left me a great deal of money, your Eminence. I intend to spend it!

King Henry VIII

Mister Wyatt.

Thomas Wyatt

Your Majesty.

King Henry

I hear you're a poet.

Thomas Wyatt

I write poems, I don't know how to be "a poet".

King Henry

I've read some, I like them.

Thomas Wyatt

My Lord, I don't know what to say.

King Henry

[whispers in Wyatt's ear] Were you in love with Anne Boleyn?

Thomas Wyatt

I...

King Henry

Cardinal Wolsey tells me you were once engaged.

Thomas Wyatt

No, that's not true.

King Henry

Did you love her?

Thomas Wyatt

Lady Anne is so beautiful, it is the duty of every man to love her. Of course I loved her, but from a distance. Personally, I have a wife.

Cardinal Wolsey

We have a new visitor at court, Princess Marguerite of Nevarre. I was saying to myself yesterday, I found her a very beautiful young woman with a very sweet and yielding disposition, She confessed to great admiration for Your Majesty. Should I, arrange ...?

King Henry

Yes! Yes, do it.

Cardinal Wolsey

Well, at least our alliance with the emperor is popular, although sometimes I ask myself why that should be so.

King Henry

Because he's not French!

Cardinal Wolsey

Quite.

Cardinal Wolsey

[regarding Henry's desired divorce] It is my considered opinion that we should apply to His Holiness, Pope Clement, for a ruling on this matter. Since he loves Your Majesty, I'm certain he will rule in your favour.

King Henry VIII

Oh, I hope so. I certainly do hope so, for your sake.

King Henry

How dare you look at me! I am your Lord and Master, not your brother! You are both banished from court. You will relinquish your London houses. You will remove yourself from my sight. Do you understand?

Princess Margaret

Yes... Your Majesty.

King Henry

And Margaret...

Princess Margaret

What?

King Henry

I have yet to decide whether to make your bedmate a head shorter.

Anne Boleyn

Forgive me, I spoke of things I should not.

King Henry VIII

No, no, I give you leave that we may always speak freely with each other, honestly, openly and with a true heart. For me, that is the true definition of love.

Queen Katherine

[about Anne Boleyn] And your fear of The Sweat is greater than your infatuation with your mistress?

King Henry VIII

Katherine, she is not my mistress. I do not sleep with her. Not whilst you and I are still married.

King Henry

Ah! Your Excellence, allow me to introduce...

Is this not Mademoiselle Anne? Enchanté. His Eminence, Cardinal Wolsey, has told me all about you, but he did not tell me how beautiful you are. For a Frenchman, that is almost a crime.