Peter C. Herman who has a PHD in English and comparative literature, starts off his essay by explaining the transition of the power from Henry VII to Henry VIII. Herman, as described throughout his essay to the readers, describes Henry VIII implementation of chivalric imagery to be a successful king over his father’s idea of leaving the court the same. I agree with Herman’s suggestion, that Henry VIII implementing of Chivalric Imagery is what made him a better king than his father as ill discuss in depth. Henry VII, after winning the civil battle against Richard III, main concern was holding on to his political power after the war ended. Henry decided that the court be ran as it had previously before so he could gain popular consent of the court and its people. After gaining the favor of the people and receiving the crown, the rest of his reign as Henry the VII rested upon keeping parliament the same. Henry used history as justification of claiming the throne, thus Herman’s incorporation of the pageant at Worcester in 1486. The verses depict Henry II blood line gaining control once again in the future.
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“This same is the fulfiller of the profecye”. (The pageant at Worcester, 1486). Thus, the reasoning for Henry VII naming one of his son’s Arthur. Henry chose not to be a spectate in public ceremonies, for that’s not how he wanted to be seen from the public. Henry didn’t think it was right or proper, so he avoided chivalric imagery. Chivalric imagery is displaying knightly qualities to gain favor or control of the public. A reason that may prove correct is Larry B. Benson suggesting that it was for one of England’s many political situations at the time. This of course was entirely different for Henry VIII’s reign. Henry was the complete opposite, for he implemented Chivalric imagery so he could gain favor of foreign diplomats. He also put forth in his court chivalric love. Aalluring game played by the men and women of the court, that used teasing and flirting to lead the women on. A passage from Herman’s essay best explains his reasoning. “Chivalry’s emphasis on the knight as warrior and the knight as lover also served the dual purpose of the reflecting both his bellicose policies and his youthful position vis-à-vis the more senior members of the court”. (Herman’s essay pg. 16). The elders of the court often criticized Henry because his desire for war, and also his youth. When Henry inherited the crown from his father, he was 17 years of age. Henry was very different than his father in public image, for he took the façade of a majestic knight. With his physical aspects, and luxurious attire, Henry dwarfs the image of his inconsequential father inputted in Herman’s essay. Though surprisingly enough, the image on the currency used still bore a picture of Henry VII while only the inscription changed. The most radical change Henry VIII tried to implement, but failed to do so was the change of the coronation. The original oath simply states that the king shall rule with mercy and discretion, and that he shall keep the people and the court happy. Henry VIII revision of the original oath implies that he shall maintain the liberties of the old time, and keep all his people and the court righteous. Though, because he wasn’t crowned yet he could get it to stand. Early in Henry VIII reign, and in his youth still yet he was obsessed with games. Games such as chivalric love, which as stated before is chasing the affection of the woman. Such evidence stated by Scarisbrick is this, “lived in, and crowned, a world of lavish allegory, mythology, and romance”. (Herman’s essay pg. 26). Henry VIII game of chivalric love demonstrates the dominance of men over women especially the king, and an example of this would be “assault on the Chateau Vert”(the “Straungers” in Hall’s report). Howard “Ascending the Rich Mount”, states “the king’s sexual potency, in other words, symbolizes his political potency”. Henry VIII goal was to show the court that his chivalry is for showing the masculine authority he possesses, and as well as political authority. Evidence of Herman’s suggestion of chivalric love comes from Henry VIII, “Oh my heart”. In the poem
“This same is the fulfiller of the profecye”. (The pageant at Worcester, 1486). Thus, the reasoning for Henry VII naming one of his son’s Arthur. Henry chose not to be a spectate in public ceremonies, for that’s not how he wanted to be seen from the public. Henry didn’t think it was right or proper, so he avoided chivalric imagery. Chivalric imagery is displaying knightly qualities to gain favor or control of the public. A reason that may prove correct is Larry B. Benson suggesting that it was for one of England’s many political situations at the time. This of course was entirely different for Henry VIII’s reign. Henry was the complete opposite, for he implemented Chivalric imagery so he could gain favor of foreign diplomats. He also put forth in his court chivalric love. Aalluring game played by the men and women of the court, that used teasing and flirting to lead the women on. A passage from Herman’s essay best explains his reasoning. “Chivalry’s emphasis on the knight as warrior and the knight as lover also served the dual purpose of the reflecting both his bellicose policies and his youthful position vis-à-vis the more senior members of the court”. (Herman’s essay pg. 16). The elders of the court often criticized Henry because his desire for war, and also his youth. When Henry inherited the crown from his father, he was 17 years of age. Henry was very different than his father in public image, for he took the façade of a majestic knight. With his physical aspects, and luxurious attire, Henry dwarfs the image of his inconsequential father inputted in Herman’s essay. Though surprisingly enough, the image on the currency used still bore a picture of Henry VII while only the inscription changed. The most radical change Henry VIII tried to implement, but failed to do so was the change of the coronation. The original oath simply states that the king shall rule with mercy and discretion, and that he shall keep the people and the court happy. Henry VIII revision of the original oath implies that he shall maintain the liberties of the old time, and keep all his people and the court righteous. Though, because he wasn’t crowned yet he could get it to stand. Early in Henry VIII reign, and in his youth still yet he was obsessed with games. Games such as chivalric love, which as stated before is chasing the affection of the woman. Such evidence stated by Scarisbrick is this, “lived in, and crowned, a world of lavish allegory, mythology, and romance”. (Herman’s essay pg. 26). Henry VIII game of chivalric love demonstrates the dominance of men over women especially the king, and an example of this would be “assault on the Chateau Vert”(the “Straungers” in Hall’s report). Howard “Ascending the Rich Mount”, states “the king’s sexual potency, in other words, symbolizes his political potency”. Henry VIII goal was to show the court that his chivalry is for showing the masculine authority he possesses, and as well as political authority. Evidence of Herman’s suggestion of chivalric love comes from Henry VIII, “Oh my heart”. In the poem