In this episode, we'll delve into the fascinating story of Henry the 8th, a king known for his robust health and love for physical activities, and the medical care he received from Thomas Wendy, one of his trusted physicians.

We'll explore Wendy's journey from a humble background to becoming a fellow of Goneville Hall,

attracting a high-end clientele from the peerage and the royal family, and eventually serving

three successive Tudor monarchs on their deathbeds. Join us as we take a journey through the

life in times of one of England's most iconic monarchs and his trusted physician.

The Tudors Dynasty podcast.

You're listening to the Tudor's Dynasty podcast with Rebecca Larson.

In his early years, Henry VIII enjoyed robust health, with the exception of a bout of smallpox in 1514 and occasional malaria, which actually was prevalent in the Marshallands of England at the time, starting about 1521.

He was physically fit, and the Venetian ambassador to the English court described him as

the handsomest potentate I've ever set eyes on.

Henry was taller than average, with a well-formed calf, fair and bright complexion,

auburn hair combed straight and short in the French fashion,

and a round face so striking that it would have been considered attractive on a woman.

His neck was rather long and thick.

So by modern society's standards, he was extremely attractive.

Henry's reputation for jousting, tilting, hunting, and tennis was legendary.

I can relate to Henry in the respect that when he was older, he could not

participate like he did in his youth. I totally get that now. Now, he was known to be not only

very expert in arms and of great valor and most excellent in his personal endowments,

but likewise, so gifted and adorned with mental accomplishments

of every sort that we believe him to have few equals in the world. However, his love for vigorous

physical activities resulted in various injuries of differing degrees of severity.

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