King Henry VIII quotes from The Tudors

Henry VIII

"I miss her Will. I miss her so much."

"I know....But this too shall pass. Why go on dwelling in darkness?"

Henry VIII

[talking angrily to Charles Brandon] That's what you want, isn't it Charles? An Imperial wedding like my father arranged for me, just like Wolsey always wanted a French one! Everyone has plans and what I want doesn't matter! Oh the Poles have plans; people are always talking about that little boy in the Tower and poor old Lady Salisbury, but let me tell you, they have Plantagenet blood in their veins! And my father, my father told me "If you leave so much as a sapling in the ground, one day it will grow into a tree!" And that little boy in the Tower will have forty thousand troops flocking to his banner, and YOU will be the sucker!

Charles Brandon

Tell Sir Francis to double the guards around the Princess Mary and defend her with their life- for if the King dies, some will be for the boy, others for her.

King Henry VIII

Does the Duchess love you any better, Charles?

She seems to but only for the sake of appearances.

King Henry VIII

[sighs] How can I help you, Charles?

Well, when she consents to make love with me again, strike a medal to commemorate it.

(about her first husband) It was not a happy marriage, Your Majesty.

King Henry VIII

Do you think such a thing exists?

Yes, I believe that with all my heart and soul.

King Henry VIII

Your Grace, I will appoint you commander of the armies if you have the will and the stomach for the fight.

Majesty, I can only thank God for the chance to win honor and glory in the field. What man would not prefer to die with a sword in his hand and a cry in his throat rather than in a bed in England.

King Henry VIII

In these last days Your Grace, I have been thinking a great deal about loss. What loss Your Grace, is to man most irrecoverable?

His virtue.

King Henry VIII

No, for by his actions, he may redeem his virtue.

Then his honor.

King Henry VIII

No, for again he may find the means to recover it. Even if some man recovers his fortune he is lost.

Then I cannot say, Your Majesty.

King Henry VIII

Time,Your Grace. Of all losses, time is the most irrecuperable, for it could never be redeemed.

King Henry VIII

What are you doing here?

I have come to see my daughter. Why should that surprise you, Henry? [Mary walks in and stands next to Katherine] You have not always been kind to her. I have wept so often to see her alone, abandoned by her father.

King Henry VIII

Is that why you have come back ,Katherine? To chide me, for all that I am not?

She ought to be a long time married by now, she ought to have her own children.

King Henry VIII

(weakly) Go away. Shade. Go away, Katherine.

You have sent me away before,though I loved you. But I was still your wife in God's eyes- and still am. (both Katherine of Aragon and Mary disappear)

King Henry VIII

Why are you here?

Anne Boleyn

To see my daughter. She was the only pure thing in my life and in my life I neglected her, since she was only a girl and I wanted so much to give you a son but now I am so proud of her. Fiercely proud! She is so clever and [Elizabeth appears next to Anne] though she is like me in so many ways, she is not intemperate as I was. You must be proud of her too, Henry?

King Henry VIII

I am. I am very proud of her and I know how clever she is. And I wish that I could love her more, but from time to time she reminds me of you and what you did to me.

Anne Boleyn

I did nothing to you .(walks towards him) I was innocent. All the accusations against me were false. I thought you knew. Poor Katherine Howard, she lies in the cold ground next to me. Poor child. It was not her fault either . But we were like two moths drawn to the flame- and burned. (Anne walks away; Henry is visibly resisting tears)

King Henry VIII

Anne, please, don't! (Anne and Elizabeth disappear)

How is my son?

King Henry VIII

Jane. (he walks towards Jane) He is well. I have taken all care of him, sweet Jane. And soon he will be King.

My poor boy. My poor child!

King Henry VIII

No! He is the most beloved! (Edward appears next to Jane, attempts to walk toward Henry, but is gently halted by Jane) He is my special boy!

He will die young.

King Henry VIII

No! No!

Poor child, you expected too much of him! He was only a boy, kings too are made of clay and God forbid you locked him away from the world like your father did with you!

King Henry VIII

No!

Don't you understand?! You have killed him!

King Henry VIII

No! (turns away and starts to cry while Jane and Edward walk away)