Henry VIII is my least favourite Henry - I even prefer his father, which from a Ricardian is saying a lot. HVIII seems to me to combine all Edward IV's worst faults with many of Henry VI's. Edward IV was sometimes a bully - and actually I had a scene in my abortive GYH which made me realise how much of one he was - but at least no one could ever have called him a coward. I remember that bit when Anne was really, really ill, with some sort of fever and Henry didn't have the courage to visit her because he was afraid of catching it. Some love!
I don't think I will ever "do" anything about Anne Boleyn, because I am "uncomfortable" in the era - I really should have hated to live in the Tudor period, and especially during the reign of H8. Learning more about the reign I realised that the injustice done to Anne was part of a pattern - it was one long tyranny of injustice, starting with Dudley and Empson and ending with Surrey.
Oh yes. You and I are in total agreement about Henry VIII and - of course - Anne Boleyn. I see her death (and that of the five 'AB party' men also losing their lives in May, 1536) as plain and simple murder. Eric Ives says Cromwell set the wheels in motion because he feared for own his survival and places very little weight upon her last abortive pregnancy. But it is clear that Henry needed very little convincing to get rid of her. It's a very tragic story...
I've read your great interview with Wendy Zollo. You know, I detested school too. That and an unhappy childhood turned me into an escapee - either by reading books or making up imaginary worlds. Also was the reason I became a teacher - thought if I went into it understanding a bit why *school* makes some children very unhappy, I might make a difference. I hope I did. Might have to go back to it next year if our finances remain the same at the end of this year - but that's another story. You mention The Woolpack Cynthia Harnett as one book you remember as a child. Are there any other authors from your early years you found inspiring?
I am sorry it has taken so long to answer this. No excuses except I have been busy with so many things.
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