2009 is the year England celebrates the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. A host of special events will be held in and around London to explore the King’s life and reign. The Tower of London is gearing for the launch of its Henry VIII: Dressed to kill exhibition, which profiles Henry’s role as warrior, sportsman and king. The display features some of the world’s rarest arms and armour, selected from the treasures of the Royal Armouries and international collections. Forget the glamour and romanticism of Jonathan Rhys-Myers in The Tudors – although Henry has been described as “handsome and fit” in his youth, the immense King stood 6 feet 4 and weighed about 200 pounds in his prime. Henry fell of a horse in 1536 – the year he ordered the beheading of his second wife Anne Boleyn (poetic justice is a beautiful thing) – and damaged his leg, which never healed properly. Henry was unable to exercise and packed on the kilos at a rapid rate. The size of his armour grew to the size of his infamous temper. (more…)