In History, Year Two have been learning all about the infamous king, Henry VIII. They have explored his family tree, discovered why he had so many wives and created a fantastic piece of artwork.
To begin, the children learned about Henry’s family – his parents, siblings and children. The boys and girls were surprised to learn that Henry was never supposed to become king. It was only because his father outlived his elder brother that Henry succeeded the throne.
Next, the children learned about Henry’s six wives. They learned a rhyme to help them remember how each marriage ended – divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Five hundred years ago, it was important for a monarch to have a male heir, hence why Henry married so many times. His third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to a boy named Edward. The children thought it quite unfair that Edward, as the youngest child, was to become king as women weren’t allowed to rule.
Then, the children thought about whether Henry VIII was a healthy king. They concluded that a regular diet of wild boar, apple tart and wine was very high in fat and sugar, making him very unhealthy.
Finally, the children followed a step-by-step guide to draw a portrait of Henry VIII. They used crayons and felt tips to colour, before adding luxurious jewels and a feather.
