This book reassesses Henry's posthumous reputation, with illustrations showing the development of his image since his death.

Introduction Mark Rankin, John N. King, and Christopher Highley; Part I. Contemporary Responses: 1. Henry VIII in the interludes Peter Happé; 2. Henry VIII as David: the King's image and Reformation politics John N. King; 3. The legacy of Henry VIII Dale Hoak; Part II. Henry VIII's Literary and Political Afterlives: 4. The slow death of a tyrant: learning to live without Henry VIII, 1547¿63 Alec Ryrie; 5. The literary afterlife of Henry VIII, 1557¿1625 Mark Rankin; 6. The Henry VIII story in the eighteenth century: words and images Ronald Paulson; Part III. Henry VIII in Art and Popular Culture: 7. Projecting masculinity: Henry VIII's codpiece Tatiana C. String; 8. The remains of Henry VIII Christopher Highley; 9. Henry VIII - his musical contribution and posthumous reputation Matthew Spring; 10. Henry VIII and popular culture Tom Betteridge; Part IV. Henry VIII through History: 11. Conveyance of history: narrative, chronicle, history and the Elizabethan memory of the Henrician Golden Age Andrew Fleck; 12. Henry VIII and the modern historians: the making of a twentieth-century reputation Peter Marshall; Selected bibliography; Index.