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Henry VIII's Health in a Nutshell
MadeGlobal's History in a Nutshell Series aims to give readers a good grounding in a historical topic in a concise, easily digestible and easily accessible way. Tudor histories are rife with "facts" about Henry VIII's life and health, but as a medical anthropologist, Kyra Kramer , author of Blood Will Tell , has learned one should never take those "facts" at face value. In Henry VIII's Health in a Nutshell , Kramer highlights the various health issues that Henry suffered throughout his life and proposes a few new theories for their causes, based on modern medical findings. Known for her readability and excellent grasp of the intricacies of modern medical diagnostics, Kyra Kramer gives the reader a new understanding of Henry VIII's health difficulties, and provides new insights into their possible causes.
85 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2015
22 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Kyra Cornelius Kramer
6 books44 followersKyra Kramer is a medical anthropologist, historian, and devoted bibliophile who lives just outside Cardiff, Wales with her handsome husband, two wonderful daughters, a magnificent son, and assorted very weird rescue dogs. Ms. Kramer has authored several history books and academic essays, and has recently begun writing fiction as well. You can visit her website at kyrackramer.com to learn more about her life and work.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 20, 2016
Henry VIII's Health in a Nutshell
by Kyra Cornelius Kramer
Kindle Edition
Will Henry VIII, Napoleon, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Rasputin be assigned new cures to their maladies? More than likely as modern medical science will continually bring up possible diagnoses for our historical figures. Theories have continually changed over the years but it does not make them any less interesting. Therefore, it was with great curiosity that I approached this title.
Before embarking on the discussion of the text itself, this reviewer would like to mention that the publication was well-done. There were a few (literally I think there were three) typographical errors (such as the word window instead of widow) but not enough to be off putting. An impressive list of sources supported the concisely presented, wealth of information provided.
Kramer put forth her theories and explained not only the illness and its possible symptoms, but also matched the documented behaviors and treatments associated with Henry VIII.
Recent awareness of the long-term effect of concussions, from the National Football League in America, and the identified Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, has made most scholars of Henry VIII assume that his severe falls in 1524 and 1536 (especially the later) generated his physical and mental changes.
Kramer, after presenting other theories from osteomyelitis, and psychopathic tendencies, brought in a new perspective: Kell antigen system and McLeod Syndrome (a condition often found in those with the Kell positive blood group.) Combined together these two ailments argue convincingly for the explanation of the mid-life alteration in Henry’s physical characteristics and personality.
Kramer’s identification of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Duchess of Bedford as the altered gene carrier was well-documented. I had always found it interesting that with her reproductive success rate and those of Isabella of Castile, the Norfolk women, Margery Wentworth (Jane Seymour’s mother), Maria of Jülich-Berg (Anne of Cleves’ mom) and many of the Parr women, that Henry’s marriages were so barren.
It is not in the scope of this review to list all of the theories presented and analyzed by Kramer, the reader can explore those easily enough. What this reviewer found fascinating was the premise that emerges in the reader’s mind that major historical events can be linked to biological causes. Fascinating! Whose health should next to be studied?
by Kyra Cornelius Kramer
Kindle Edition
Will Henry VIII, Napoleon, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Rasputin be assigned new cures to their maladies? More than likely as modern medical science will continually bring up possible diagnoses for our historical figures. Theories have continually changed over the years but it does not make them any less interesting. Therefore, it was with great curiosity that I approached this title.
Before embarking on the discussion of the text itself, this reviewer would like to mention that the publication was well-done. There were a few (literally I think there were three) typographical errors (such as the word window instead of widow) but not enough to be off putting. An impressive list of sources supported the concisely presented, wealth of information provided.
Kramer put forth her theories and explained not only the illness and its possible symptoms, but also matched the documented behaviors and treatments associated with Henry VIII.
Recent awareness of the long-term effect of concussions, from the National Football League in America, and the identified Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, has made most scholars of Henry VIII assume that his severe falls in 1524 and 1536 (especially the later) generated his physical and mental changes.
Kramer, after presenting other theories from osteomyelitis, and psychopathic tendencies, brought in a new perspective: Kell antigen system and McLeod Syndrome (a condition often found in those with the Kell positive blood group.) Combined together these two ailments argue convincingly for the explanation of the mid-life alteration in Henry’s physical characteristics and personality.
Kramer’s identification of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Duchess of Bedford as the altered gene carrier was well-documented. I had always found it interesting that with her reproductive success rate and those of Isabella of Castile, the Norfolk women, Margery Wentworth (Jane Seymour’s mother), Maria of Jülich-Berg (Anne of Cleves’ mom) and many of the Parr women, that Henry’s marriages were so barren.
It is not in the scope of this review to list all of the theories presented and analyzed by Kramer, the reader can explore those easily enough. What this reviewer found fascinating was the premise that emerges in the reader’s mind that major historical events can be linked to biological causes. Fascinating! Whose health should next to be studied?
December 18, 2015
Interesting book. Well written . worth a read.
Explained s several hypotheses about a medical cause for his troubles and how they compare with history's notes. A quick read.
Explained s several hypotheses about a medical cause for his troubles and how they compare with history's notes. A quick read.
November 30, 2016
Knew most of this already, having read her book 'blood will tell'. Full review to come.
August 18, 2019
A good, but quite swift read.
Before reading it I was convinced that Kramer would've made her entire point around his jousting accident in 1536 and how that entirely changed his personality. The more I adored that she pointed out how he exhibited strange behaviour before 1536, starting with 1535 when he had his first judicial killing spree (because monks and priests believed the pope to be the head of the church - classic treason). Despite his first injury in 1524, she also continues to say that there weren't noticeable changes in his behaviour but only the more in 1533 and so on.
I just recently read that she and another woman (don't quote me on that lol) brought the Kell positive bloodtype thing into the conversation - more explicitly the possibility of Henry VIII having the McLeod syndrome. I don't want to spoil that part, but I wasn't aware of that illness and the way she put her reasoning together just made a lot of sense. I was always thinking that he probably was just deeply depressed for a bunch of reasons (cough ulcers cough) and suffered from some kind of bipolar disorder buuut that book certainly changed my mind on that.
Her writing and credentials speak for themself so I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is tired of Lucy Worsley or other dramatised documentaries about henrys health.
Before reading it I was convinced that Kramer would've made her entire point around his jousting accident in 1536 and how that entirely changed his personality. The more I adored that she pointed out how he exhibited strange behaviour before 1536, starting with 1535 when he had his first judicial killing spree (because monks and priests believed the pope to be the head of the church - classic treason). Despite his first injury in 1524, she also continues to say that there weren't noticeable changes in his behaviour but only the more in 1533 and so on.
I just recently read that she and another woman (don't quote me on that lol) brought the Kell positive bloodtype thing into the conversation - more explicitly the possibility of Henry VIII having the McLeod syndrome. I don't want to spoil that part, but I wasn't aware of that illness and the way she put her reasoning together just made a lot of sense. I was always thinking that he probably was just deeply depressed for a bunch of reasons (cough ulcers cough) and suffered from some kind of bipolar disorder buuut that book certainly changed my mind on that.
Her writing and credentials speak for themself so I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is tired of Lucy Worsley or other dramatised documentaries about henrys health.
November 7, 2019
An interesting short history read about the suspected health issues of Henry VIII. Kramer backs up her arguments for and against various theories about Henry's health with extensive footnotes and bibliography. Whilst her pet theory about Henry being Kell positive is well researched and evidenced, I do not personally agree with this theory, having read a number of biographies and history books about Henry VIII and his reign. She does however comprehensively debunk some of the more popular (and inane) theories such as him potentially having syphilis.
March 12, 2018
Lots of interesting theories as to why Henry VIII was the way he was. But I don't think we'll ever truly know unless they can exhume his body and check for any head injuries, or test his DNA for a Kell-positive blood type and McLeod Syndrome. After all, he wasn't always a tyrant, so something must have happened to him at some point for his personality and behaviour to change so drastically.
February 19, 2019
Informative
For anyone who's ever wondered about the strange behavior of Henry VIII, this book tells it all, from childhood to death, even then his behavior was perplexing. I had thought too, that the many unsuccessful pregnancies of his wives was due to the negative, positive kell blood factors. Very good theories and explanations.
For anyone who's ever wondered about the strange behavior of Henry VIII, this book tells it all, from childhood to death, even then his behavior was perplexing. I had thought too, that the many unsuccessful pregnancies of his wives was due to the negative, positive kell blood factors. Very good theories and explanations.
April 23, 2018
Clear, informative, and very readable
For those readers who find Tudor history intriguing, and who have questions about the whys and wherefores of the Tudors, this book is a very enjoyable, well researched presentation of possibilities for Henry VIII’s life paradoxes.
For those readers who find Tudor history intriguing, and who have questions about the whys and wherefores of the Tudors, this book is a very enjoyable, well researched presentation of possibilities for Henry VIII’s life paradoxes.
October 21, 2019
I enjoyed it
I've often wondered if Henry the VIII's issues came from a mental health issue or medical issue, this book later out the argument for the medical issue precisely. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
I've often wondered if Henry the VIII's issues came from a mental health issue or medical issue, this book later out the argument for the medical issue precisely. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
October 24, 2019
Excellent enumeration of the health of England's famous King
I've had an interest about the Kell-positive theory and looking at.the emperical evidence makes a strong case for this. I'm looking forward to the time that we can find out for sure
I've had an interest about the Kell-positive theory and looking at.the emperical evidence makes a strong case for this. I'm looking forward to the time that we can find out for sure
May 28, 2016
A fantastic little book. The health of Henry VIII fascinates anyone with even a slight interest in Tudor history. Was he brain damaged after his fall? Was he twisted and evil? How bad were his ulcers on his legs? And what measurement was his waist line? All those questions and more are answered here in this book by Kyra Kramer, who discusses the health of Henry VIII both physically and mentally, throughout his life.
The 'History in a Nutshell' series really are terrific
The 'History in a Nutshell' series really are terrific
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April 26, 2016This is a great little book! So much solid info packed into a readable bundle. We have all (those who love Tudor history) wondered what was the true story with Henry VIII and his dramatic transformation. How did his health contribute to that downturn? Ms Kramer does an excellent job of providing facts along with speculation, and it gives us a good picture as to what probably was the case with Henry.
May 12, 2016
Interesting
A enjoyable account for Henry viii on how he wasn't always the overweight tyrant that springs to mind. But a good account of the possibilities of how he became that way.
A enjoyable account for Henry viii on how he wasn't always the overweight tyrant that springs to mind. But a good account of the possibilities of how he became that way.
November 18, 2016
Very interesting and thoughtout. Loved it!
The subject matter is so interesting and I am so enthralled with the monarchy in England. The author really did some homework with this one! Love to have the King exhumed and DNA test done. History is great!
The subject matter is so interesting and I am so enthralled with the monarchy in England. The author really did some homework with this one! Love to have the King exhumed and DNA test done. History is great!
November 16, 2022
I received this book in a giveaway from Tudor Dynasty. I love this book it goes into detail about Henry VIII health throughout his life. It was very interesting to read about his life. I enjoyed this book a lot!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews