Expert: Joseph Logue - 11/11/2007

Question
It the moment I'm doing a essay were I'm answering the question,'does henry VIII deserve to be called Henry the Great.' I would like to know how many wars Henry fought, and were they successful?

Answer
Hello Lucy,

As you may know, England only has one king who has come down to us known as "The Great," and that is King Alfred.  Does Henry VIII deserve it?  I'd say there are other kings who deserve the moniker more than him (his daughter Elizabeth I, Henry II, Henry V) and there are names more a propos than Great, such as Reformer.

Henry's reign was filled with many conflicts (with the Emperor chiefly) that fall short of being wars as such.  His army was always on the move, engaging in skirmishes, battling with the French, keeping a wary eye on the Scots, and helping out allies such as the Pope in 1527.  (This is why to this day the title, "Defender of the Faith," is borne by the monarch.

Henry's success on the field of battle can be judged by the fact that England was not invaded from the Continent and the prestige and profile of England was considerably raised by Henry's prowess in judging when to send in his army.

So, no wars per se, but much military success.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue