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King Henry VIII of England celebrating May Day with
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King Henry VIII of England celebrating May Day with
King Henry VIII of England celebrating May Day with his first queen Catherine of Aragon, circa 1509. He is dressed in anachronistic Victorian outfit of top hat, coat, chain breeches and boots. Catherine wears a veil and dress with long train held by pages. King Henry VIII and his queen Out a-Maying. Handcoloured steel engraving after an illustration by John Leech from Gilbert Abbott A Becketts Comic History of England, Bradbury, Agnew & Co. London, 1880
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Media ID 23388394
© Florilegius
1540 Abbott Abeckett Anachronism Boots Breeches Candlestick Celebrating Chase Comical Crook Dissolution Epping Fleeing Forest Gilbert Goblet Horseback Humor Hunt Leech Monasteries Monk Outfit Parody Platter Shepherds Suppression Viii
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This handcoloured steel engraving depicts a whimsical and anachronistic scene of King Henry VIII of England celebrating May Day with his first queen, Catherine of Aragon. The image, created by John Leech in 1880 for Gilbert Abbott A Beckett's Comic History of England, showcases Henry in an unexpected Victorian outfit, donning a top hat, coat, chain breeches, and boots. Catherine, adorned in a veil and long-trained dress, holds court as her husband leads a merry May Day procession. The scene is set in the lush Epping Forest, where the king and his queen, accompanied by shepherds and pages, engage in a mock hunt. Henry, astride a horse, brandishes a crook and chases a monk, who flees in terror, adding a touch of humor to the occasion. The gold goblet, candlestick, and platter in the foreground further emphasize the festive atmosphere. Despite the playful nature of the scene, the image carries an underlying tone of the suppression of the Catholic faith during Henry's reign, which began in 1509 and culminated in the Dissolution of the Monasteries around 1540. The monk's fearful expression and hasty escape may symbolize the turmoil and uncertainty that accompanied the king's religious reforms. This charming and intriguing image offers a unique perspective on the life and reign of King Henry VIII, blending history, humor, and artistry in an unforgettable way.
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