The Love Letter that Changed the Nation

13 February 2009

Concealed in the Vatican for almost five centuries, Henry VIII's declaration of his 'unchangeable intention' to marry Anne Boleyn returns to London as part of the British Library's major new exhibition Henry VIII: Man and Monarch.

Almost certainly stolen from Lady Anne to serve as evidence against the King's divorce, this previously un-exhibited letter gives a deeply personal insight into Henry's pursuit of his most infamous infatuation. Aware of his reputation as a notorious womaniser, Anne continually frustrated the King by refusing to become yet another royal mistress and instead held out for marriage. This letter marks a key turning point in their relationship, with Anne at last seemingly making a 'too humble submission' to Henry's proffered love.

Henry's assurance that 'henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone' followed by his wish 'that my body was so too' suggests, however, that Anne's surrender was not unconditional. It represents a clear demonstration of Anne's denial of pre-marital sexual relations, turning the King's passions into an obsession. Utterly besotted, Henry apologises profusely for having suggested Anne could ever have been a mere mistress, and pledges to 'pray once a day' for the circumstances which would enable them to consummate their love. Henry signs the letter like a love-sick school boy, writing 'H seeks A.B. no other Rex', and encloses his beloved's initials in a heart.

Guest curated by historian and broadcaster Dr David Starkey, Henry VIII: Man and Monarch, sponsored by PACCAR Inc, will reach beyond the myths and stereotypes, exploring the beliefs and motives behind Henry's actions, telling the story of his reign from his own perspective. The Vatican love letter is just one of a variety of important loan items, including portraits, tapestries and armour, that will be used in support of the British Library's unrivalled collection of correspondence, key official documents, maps and books, to examine the extraordinary transformations - personal and political, intellectual and religious, literary, aesthetic and linguistic - that took place in the reign of Henry VIII.

Describing the exhibition, David Starkey commented: "Henry is not only England's best-known king - with his wives, his girth and his bloodthirstiness - he is also our most important single ruler. When he came to the throne, Henry was the Pious Prince who ruled an England at the heart of Catholic Europe; when he died, he was the Great Schismatic, who had created a national Church and an insular, xenophobic politics that shaped the development of England for the next 500 years. This exhibition draws on the British Library's rich collections - including the books that Henry himself chose, read and annotated - which outline the revolutionary change in ideas that took place during the reign of Henry VIII and take us, as nothing else can, into the King's own mind."

Advance tickets for Henry VIII: Man and Monarch go on sale on Monday 16 February. 

Ticket prices
Adult: £9 / Concessions £7 / £5
Under 18s: Free

Book online: www.bl.uk/henry

Book by phone: 01937 546546
Bookings must be made five days prior to visit.£1 booking fee applies per transaction to telephone bookings
Box Office open 9.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday

Group Discount
Any group of 10 or more adults will receive a 10% discount on their booking. Group bookings can only be made over the phone, not via our website.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: Anna Arthur or Robert James at Arthur Leone PR +44[0]20 7637 2994 or info@arthurleone.com / robert@arthurleone.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Letter Transcript – Translated from French, probably first written in the first days of Jan 1528.

For a New Year's gift so beautiful that nothing could exceed it (considering the whole of it) I thank you most cordially, not only for the handsome diamond and ship in which the lonely damsel is tossed about, but chiefly for the fine interpretation and too humble submission which your goodness has made in this case; for I certainly think that it would be very difficult for me to deserve this, if it were not for your great humanity and favour.  In this happiness I have tried, am trying, and will try to remain, by all means open to me; I hope this is my unchangeable intention, which is Aut illic aut nullbi. The demonstrations of your affection are such, and the beautiful words of your letter are so cordially phrased, that they really oblige me to honour, love, and serve you for ever, imploring you to agree to continue in this same firm and constant purpose, assuring you that for my part I will out-do you, if this be possible, rather than reciprocate, in loyalty of heart and my desire to please you; and you, without any other ties in your heart, can further this.  Beseeching you also that if I have in any way offended you, you will give me the same absolution for which you ask, assuring you that henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone, and wishing greatly that my body was so too, for God can do it if He pleases; to whom I pray once a day for that end, hoping that at length my prayers will be heard.  I wish the time may be short, but I shall think it long till we two meet again.  Written by the hand of the secretary who in heart, body, and will is your loyal and most assured servant.

H seeks A.B, No Other Rex

Henry VIII: Man and Monarch is open from 23 April to 6 September 2009, seven days a week, in the PACCAR Gallery at the British Library.

This exhibition has been generously sponsored by Inc.

Media Partner -

PACCAR Inc is a global technology leader in design, manufacture and customer support of high quality light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

The accompanying book, Henry VIII: Man and Monarch, edited by David Starkey and Susan Doran, will be published by the British Library in April 2009, available in hardback at £25.00 (ISBN 978 0 7123 5025 9) and paperback at £15.95 (ISBN 978 0 7123 5026 6). With 256 pages, 285 x 220 mm, 250 colour illustrations. Available from the British Library Shop (tel: 020 7412 7735 / email: bl-bookshop@bl.uk) and online at www.bl.uk/shop as well as other bookshops throughout the UK.

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest research libraries. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection.

The Library's collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation. It includes: books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk.