King Henry VIII
Known for his six wives and for his tumultuous relationship with the Catholic Church, Henry VIII was born in Greenwich in 1491. He is also known for establishing the Royal Navy.
Henry VIII timeline
28 June 1491 | Born in Greenwich Palace to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
2 April 1502 | Henry’s older brother Arthur dies, placing Henry next in line to the throne
24 June 1509 | Crowned at Westminster Palace
11 June 1509 | Marries Katherine of Aragon
18 February 1516 | Henry’s first child, Mary Tudor born in Greenwich
1532 – 34 | Henry breaks with the Catholic Church
25 January 1533 | Marries Anne Boleyn
7 September 1533 | Elizabeth born in Greenwich Palace
30 May 1536 | Marries Jane Seymour
12 October 1536 | Edward VI born
6 January 1540 | Marries Anne of Cleeves
28 July 1540 | Marries Katherine Howard
12 July 1543 | Marries Katherine Parr
28 January 1547 | Henry dies at Whitehall Palace
Royal Greenwich
Henry VIII was not only born in Greenwich, but the birth of his daughters and two of his marriages also took place in the area.
Find out more about Tudor history in Greenwich
Henry VIII facts
Did you know that Henry VIII was the person who established Woolwich and Deptford as the Royal Dockyards?
Find out more Henry VIII facts
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Henry VIII is possibly the most famous King of England, known both for his six wives and for the splitting of the Church. He had several children from different women, but only three were legitimate and survived past infancy. These were King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. Many others were born illegitimately and only one of these was recognised - Henry Fitzroy.
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Members of the Royal family have been drawn to Greenwich as far back as the late middle ages, with the area being the site of numerous royal births, marriages and deaths.
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Greenwich Park is said to be the most historic of all London’s Royal Parks, the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory and the Queen's House are situated in its grounds.