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Character French Male Royal King Married Mistress Deceased Season 1 Season 2
King Henry
King Henry
Biographical Information
In History: Henry II of France
Family Name: Henry de Valois
Title: King of France

Duke of Orléans
Prince of France
Dauphin of France

Predecessor: Francis I
Successor: Francis II
Born: March 31, 1519
Died: July 10, 1558
Age: 40
Height: 6'1
Gender: Male Male
Status: Deceased
Religion: Roman Catholic
Originally From: Paris, France
Affiliations: Kingdom of France

House of Valois
Henry and Catherine
Henry and Diane
Henry and Kenna
Henry and Penelope
Henry and Francis
Henry and Sebastian

Relationship Information
Parents: King Francis I (Father)

Claude of France (Mother)

Wife: Queen Catherine
Children: King Francis(Son)

Queen Leeza (Daughter)
Princess Claude (Daughter)
Prince Louis(Son)
King Charles (Son)
Prince Henri (Son)
Princess Emone(Daughter)
Princess Henriette(Daughter)
Princess Margot (Daughter)
Sebastian de Poitiers (Illegitimate Son)

Family: Duke Francis(Brother)
Interests: Diane de Poitiers(Mistress)

Penelope (Mistress)
Lady Kenna (Mistress)

Character Information
First Appearance: Pilot
Last Appearance: Banished
Portrayed By: Alan van Sprang
GALLERY


"Betraying someone you love blackens your soul. It's a weight you carry, all of your days! Can I let it go now?"
King Henry's last words

King Henry was the ruler of France and the husband of Queen Catherine, although he preferred the companionship of his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, with whom he also had an illegitimate son, Sebastian. Henry fathered ten of Catherine's children, whom would go on to succeed him to the throne of France. During his reign, King Henry did whatever he felt needed to be done to make his country great, no matter the cost.

Must See Episodes[]

Personality[]

King Henry ruled France with an iron fist: he quelled rebellions before they even had a chance to arise and ruthlessly dealt with his enemies. While that may not have made him an effective ruler, it certainly made him a feared one. When Henry went mad, he became even more feared, but it had more to do with his increasingly erratic behaviour.

Henry was quite a disloyal man, who failed to commit to women despite promising to do so and who switched allegiances whenever it suited him. Although he seemed to care for his children, he was also capable of using them as bargaining chips and frequently pitted his two eldest sons against each other.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Prince Henry was born in Paris, France, and when he was 14 years old married Catherine de' Medici in an arranged marriage between their two countries. However, Henry was already and continued to see an older woman named, Diane de Poitiers, who he made his official mistress after he was married.

Less than 10 years later, Diane gave birth to the King's first child, an illegitimate son named Sebastian. The next year his wife Catherine gave birth to their first child, the future Dauphin of France, Prince Francis. 3rd in line to the throne. Followed by a daughter named Princess Elisabeth the next year.

Two years later, Henry's father died, and he became the new King of France, making Prince Francis the next-in-line. Years after that, Catherine and Henry had another daughter, Princess Claude, and two more sons, Prince Charles and Prince Henri. They also had three children die, Prince Louis before he was 1, and twin daughter's that were murdered. He and Catherine were no longer as close as they had been in earlier years of their marriage. They became prone to bickering to each other in-front of servants and their children.

Season 1[]

Pilot
As King Henry is trying on a suit for his daughter Elisabeth's wedding, Catherine protests against Mary's return to court. Prince Francis comes in, not too pleased about having to marry Mary, but his father doesn't care. At least his bride has a country and an army, should he need it. Henry leaves the room once his suit is finished being adjusted by the royal tailor, leaving both his son and wife unhappy with him.

Pilot - Henry n Diane

Ready to meet a Queen.

Trumpets sound at the Scottish Queen's arrival. King Henry arrives with Diane de Poitiers and his son Sebastian by his side. Before Mary can greet the Royals she is stopped by Francis who cuts across the grass to meet her where she stands. They exchange hellos, and Francis and Mary walk arm-in-arm down the line of castle members towards the King and Queen of France for a proper introduction.

Pilot Catherine n Henry V

Hmmm...

That evening at Elisabeth and Philip's Wedding everyone is celebrating with a grand party as Princess Elisabeth and King Philip have their first dance, before everyone joins in. Henry watches Lady Kenna dancing in the middle of the floor intently. Much to Diane's annoyance. Soon after Henry finds Kenna and requested to be close to her to wish she obliges as he brings his hand under her dress as they make out.

Mary seeks an audience in front of the king and Queen of France after Colin MacPhail attempted to rape her the night before. Requesting to speak to him herself. They both encourage her it's a bad idea, and Catherine tells her not to give mercy as the man tried to rape her. Mary demands to see her subject, but King Henry tells her it's too late, as he had already been exacted for his crimes at dawn.

Snakes in the Garden

Snakes in Garden - 4 King & Queen

Discussing their son's fiancée

In the throne room, Catherine and Henry are talking about who they're going to betrothe their son Charles to. Catherine believes the young Lady Madeleine to be a brilliant match - she is French, therefore loyal to France, and very wealthy. Henry is unsure about it at first, but Catherine's arguments manage to persuade him. Francis is ordered to accompany Charles to the landing to show respect. Charles asks if Sebastian can come as well, but Catherine slams Bash for appearing in the throne room at all.

"You know that Bash isn't really your brother. He's just your father's son."
Queen Catherine

Mary volunteers to go as well, as she too was once a child who was sent away to a foreign land, so she may be able to soothe the girl's fear. Catherine suggests that they all stay here, as the journey may not be safe, but Henry assures her that the carriage will stay on the King's road, with a dozen of well-armed guards to protect it.

The next day, Catherine and Henry apprise Mary and her ladies of Colin's escape. Catherine blames the English for aiding him in the escape, even though as Mary points out, the escape took place before the English arrived. Mary asks them to bring Colin back, preferably alive, so that she can speak with him and find out who was behind her attack.

After leaving Mary's chamber, Henry wonders why Catherine didn't tell him about Colin's escape when she first heard of it. Henry wants to be informed, because once Colin is found, he wants to hear whatever he has to say.

At a picnic for newly engaged couple that afternoon, Henry and Catherine walk arm-in-arm together, but Henry soon snubs her in favour of another woman.

Snakes in the Garden - King Henry n Queen Catherine 5

Helle new mistress

The next day at Charles and Madeleine's Engagement Party, Henry and Catherine walked arm-in-arm, but Catherine was soon discouraged when Henry began his flirtatious behavior towards other women in front of her. Hours later, King Henry left the part to find Lady Kenna, asking if she would think about being with him.

"As King I've learned when to be very clear about when to state my terms."
King Henry

The next night at court the sexually frustrated Henry watched Lady kenna as she flirted with men around her, including Robert playing cards. Henry approaches Kenna and wanted to know why Kenna won't be with him, and is informs, people like Robert are the people she needs to spend her time. Men that are available and she can marry, and can't be associated with him as his mistress.

Snakes in Garden - 40 Robert w King Henry

Don't forget, I am king!

That night Kenna opens her door to find King Henry with Robert. He immediately asks Robert if he will take Lady Kenna as his bride to which the shocked Robert agrees before being sent him away. He assures Kenna that being with him doesn't close doors, it opens them. They share a passionate kiss.

"Will you take Lady Kenna as your bride? No questions asked. Because it is a union blessed by your King."
King Henry

King Henry II anounced the Tudor Queen was dying. She had not named her successor but many believe the rightful heir to the English throne should be Queen Mary Stuart. The second England's queen dies, King Henry wanted Mary Stuart to make her claim. Her marriage to Prince Francis would be moved up as it would strengthen her claim, and would show Europe that Mary Stuart had the might of France at her side.

King Henry II stated a new condition of Scotland and France's marriage alliance is that Mary Stuart deliver England to France. Support from The Vatican made him think he could get it, However, Queen Catherine cautioned Princess Elizabeth would have support too. Armies she'd been gathering for years. Laying claim to England could cost Mary Stuart her head, as it did Lady Jane Grey.

When the English Queen dies, so would Henry the VIII's legitimate line, as Mary Stuart is his next relation by blood, because Elizabeth is King Henry VIII's daughter by Anne Boleyn and her parents' marriage was never recognized by The Catholic Church, because in God's eyes, she doesn't even exist. Elizabeth is Protestant and The Pope doesn't want to lose a nation to Protestantism. However, a Scottish Queen on the English throne, a daughter born of one of Henry's wives, dismissed would cause uprisings and wars.

For King and Country
King Henry told Mary Stuart that she would lay claim to England once the English Queen, Mary I was dead.

Marie de Guise wants Mary Stuart to go after England, and Scotland wants her on the throne of England. They know it's a risk, but less with Prince Francis at her side. Scotland want Mary Stuart to wed the next King of France without delay.

The Vatican support Mary Stuart's claim to the English throne. However, Mary Stuart would only agree if Sebastian was named his heir. Mary and Sebastian's ascent to the throne would not be official until The Pope agreed. King Henry decided to go to Rome himself, to ensure the marriage of future King and Queen of France, Scotland and England.

Unfortunitly, Queen Catherine would never agree to an annulment, thus her execution was schedualed, and Henry was preparing to marry Diane de Poitiers. When King Henry dies, Bash would become King. If Bash is survived by King Henry and Queen Catherine's children, the line of succession will revert back to King Henry's sons by Catherine.

Queen Catherine confronts Mary Stuart. Telling her she warned her of the unrest that would result from changing the line of succession. Once The Vatican legitimizes Sebastian, King Henry will take off her head, and her other sons, Prince Charles and Prince Henri will be orphans. Mary reminds her,t ey have a father. Catherine asks how much attention does she think they'll get from him as he cavorts with his new bride Diane? As for Bash, as soon as he takes power, he will face unrelenting pressure to do away with them, Mary promises to never let that happen.


Consummation 4 Queen Catherine n King Henry

Yes, what now dear?!

Henry was very annoyed he had to deal with his wife once again about her funeral arrangements. It was turning out to be a very expensive thing for him indeed. It was costing him gold and silver, musicians, and a lot of money on food. Before they could finish their conversation, the Scottish Queen's mother, Marie de Guise had just arrived.

Hour’s later in the afternoon a messenger rode with news of the English Queen. Henry gathered everyone in the throne room AND informed them the English Queen was dead. She had not named a successor, so he demanded Mary lay claim to Britain, and demanded Mary Stuart choose a husband to marry that night. But she refused.

Consummation 28 King Henry n kenna

Secrets!

Frustrated Henry retired to his chambers. His servant informed him Kenna wished to see him. Not in the mood to deal with her he told his servant to send her away, but was informed she was naked under her robe. He allowed her entrance. Kenna began seducing him, whilst requesting to know why he had not found her a suitor. She promised she would continue to be his mistress even after she was married. All he had to do was introduce her to a suitor, once a week until she found one she liked and promised if he did that for her, she would do things for him. With that, she took off her clothes.

Hours later, Henry was told the Scottish Queen had picked a husband. She had chosen Prince Francis to wed. He arranged they be married that night, in a beautiful wedding with the flowers and food from Catherine's canceled funeral.

Consummation 46 Sebastian n King Henry

Come with me!

Before the consummation ceremony began, Henry grabbed his other son Sebastian. Wanting him to remember what was, and was not his. He coldly bond his son's hands behind his back and forced him to watch the Consummation ceremony between his brother and Mary.

Dirty Laundry
The Darkness
Kenna is called to the King's room. Since Henry hurt her the last time she was there, Kenna is hesitant to carry on with his sexual escapades, but Henry reminds her of their agreement and promises to introduce her to eligible suitors if she indulges him. He then brings out Anna, a prostitute who "cost a fortune", and asks Anna and Kenna to entertain him. They begin drinking wine and making out, and it isn't long before Kenna falls into a delirious sleep.

That evening, Catherine walks in on Henry muttering to himself and looking at a map of Europe in his office. He appears drunk and angry as he curses Mary Tudor out for not dying yet. Catherine brings his attention to the dead girl in his chambers, as well as to the fact that his water has run black, and asks him to see Nostradamus. Henry dismisses the idea completely and argues that kings do not get ill, as the country would descend into madness if the people believed they did. As such, he makes Catherine swear to keep his condition a secret.

Two days later while walking in the hallway, Henry walks up to Kenna and begins flirting with her. He is then cut off by Catherine, who shoos Kenna away to talk to her husband in private. Having taken a tonic for his headaches, Henry is feeling better and more enlightened. He is done kowtowing to women after receiving a sign from God and warns Catherine that there will be others like Anna and Cecilia in the near future.

"It was a lesson each woman understood in her last moment. About who is king, and who is not."
Henry to Catherine

Toy Soldiers
Mary and Francis appeal to Queen Catherine for military aid, but Catherine tells them they have worse problems do deal with. The ailing Mary Tudor named her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth England's next ruler, a move that infuriates Henry. He berates Mary for not being pregnant yet and for draining their resources while failing to provide him with England. The Protestants demand Marie's head on a pike and Henry warns Mary to be careful, or hers might follow.

Penelope goes to Henry and claims to be pregnant with his child. However, Catherine calls Penelope out for lying and warns her not to push her luck, otherwise she may end up like the two dead girls before her.

Later, Francis finds Henry maneuvering his toy soldiers on the map of Europe to plan his military strategy. His plan is to attack England from several sides beginning tomorrow. The soldiers will be marching northeast under the command of a new general, since Henry demoted the last one. Francis tries to talk him out of going through with it, as the French army is spread too thin and cannot take on England, but Henry believes that he will emerge victorious.

Not long after, Henry summons Catherine and Francis to his office and tells them that he knows of their thwarting his military plans. However, no more, as he ordered his troops to march to Calais that morning with a general that doesn't report to Catherine. When Francis realizes that their troops are too weak to reclaim England alone, he offers up the Duke of Guise's army to help them. He argues that if France falls, so will Scotland, so he will have to protect France first.

Higher Ground
Henry is away in Paris.

Long Live The King
Queen Mary Tudor died and named her younger sister, Princess Elizabeth the new Queen of England.

King Henry said they'd take time to celebrate Calais, but mobilization had already begun. He wants to attack England within the week, and slay Queen Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne.

Slaughter of Innocence
King Henry calls everyone into the courtyard in the middle of the night to make an announcement: he reports on an assassination attempt made on him and introduces everyone to his new guards who answer only to him. He then draws his sword and kills the secretary to Lord Belamy, as he believes him guilty for ordering his assassination and as he has taken his penance. Francis then realizes that his father is beyond help.


Season 2[]

Mercy
As Catherine is sleeping, a silhouette of a person crawls up from under the covers. It is Henry. His hand grasps her throat and wakes her up. She doesn't believe he is real and doesn't understand why he is in her bed. Henry explains that the twins found him. She mustn't feel guilty about Claude, because she did right by them. They start making out. Henry begs Catherine to say that she wants him back and she does.

Getaway
Catherine is mixing garlic with arsenic as Henry snuggles up to her. Catherine is making a poisonous soup that she plans to feed Claude and slowly kill her in doing so. Catherine starts to second-guess herself, but Henry convinces her that killing Claude is the only way to spare her the wrath of the twins.

While walking in the hall and carrying the soup to Claude, Catherine and Henry talk about Kenna's ass, which Kenna overhears. Catherine denies talking about her ass and tells her to move aside.

Catherine walks in on Claude searching for the poison she's been using on her. Claude knew her mother hated her, but not to the point of killing her. Catherine tells her that she murdered her twin sisters out of jealousy from the attention they received from Catherine. Claude denies it, but Catherine doesn't believe her.

Claude almost drinks the entire glass of poison, but Catherine knocks it out of her hand and holds her as she breaks down in tears. Henry whispers in her ear not to betray her other children and walks away with the twins in disapproval.

Banished
Catherine is with Henry and her twins, wondering how he managed to keep them from hating her even after she decided not to kill Claude. He listened to them and gave them time, respect, and love. Henry wants her to be more of a part of their world, but she wonders if she's going mad.

After Diane rips into Catherine about her family situation, Henry again appears and strokes Catherine's ego. He then tries to convince her to leave her family in favour of one that loves her and wants to spend time with her, which are Henry and the twins.

While the Ice Festival is taking place inside, Catherine is running around with her ghost family outside in the snow. When the children run off, Henry seduces Catherine and the two start making out. Catherine is shivering, but Henry pays her no mind. Catherine nearly freezes to death because of that.

Henry later creeps up on Catherine again, but this time, she isn't having it. She chastises him for letting his indulgences get in the way of his family and lead to the deaths of their twins, before she banishes him from her life completely. She also sends the twins away, albeit gently.

Sins of the Past - (Mentioned)
When Catherine is diagnosed with Syphilis, she blames Henry and his whores.


Family Tree[]

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
King Francis I
   
   
Claude of France
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Duke Francis
   
   
King Henry
   
   
Queen Catherine
   
   
Madeleine of Valois
   
   
Charles of Valois
   
   
Margaret of Valois
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
King Francis
   
   
Mary Stuart
   
   
Queen Elisabeth
   
   
King Philip
   
   
Princess Claude
   
   
Luc Narcisse
   
   
King Charles
   
   
Prince Henri
   
   
Princess Margot
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
John Philip
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Prince Don Carlos

Trivia[]

  • Henry and Diane were together before he married Queen Catherine. [1]
  • In their reign, Catherine and Henry granted sanctuary to a man named Joseph Tudor, a character who would become important later on. [2]
  • He executed 13 knights on the charge of heresy, but in reality, he just couldn't pay them back for their services.
  • He has several mistresses in 'Barnay' and mentioned to have a couple illegitimate children there.[4]
  • Henry has killed or ordered the death of more than five people. [5]
  • Henry has ordered the death of Sebastian twice, [6] [7] and that of Francis once. [7]
  • Henry has had sexual relations with Queen Catherine [1], Diane de Poitiers [8], Lady Kenna [9], a maid [10], a prostitute [10], and Penelope [7] all within a year and a half.
  • He was secretly murdered by his son Francis who pretended to be Lord Montgomery at a jousting competition. [11]
  • King Henry's death marked the 55th death of Season One. [12]
  • Prior to his murder, Henry had been descending into madness for a longer time. [6][13]
    • His wife Catherine later discovered he had been poisoned by his personal bible, and that is what caused him to go mad. [14]
  • He had a one-night affair with his twin daughters' nanny, during which the twins passed away. The nanny was blamed for their deaths, but in reality, they had been murdered by Henry's mistress Diane de Poitiers. [16]
  • Torrance Coombs and Alan van Sprang both starred in The Tudors.

In History[]

  • Both Henry VIII of England and Henry II of France were the second-born sons, however, once their older brothers died at a young age, they became the king of their respected countries.
  • In history, Henry and his older brother were traded by their father as hostages to Spain's Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1525 for 3 years, and were released when he was around 10. This event was elucidated in the show as well.
  • In history, King Henry II and the Duke of Guise were actually childhood friends, while in the show, they hated each other.
  • In the show, Catherine and Henry hadn't produced an heir in the first ten years of their marriage. This was true to history, but it was not one of the bizarre concoctions or folk rituals she engaged with that led to conception but rather a visit by a physician who observed abnormalities in the couple's sexual organs. His advice clearly worked as Catherine soon fell pregnant and went on to have eight children by her husband.
  • Henry had 3 illegitimate children from different mistresses, but none by Diane de Poitiers like in the show.
  • The show killed King Henry off a year early. He died in 1559, not 1558.
  • Accidentally killed by Lord Montgomery is a jousting competition.

Appearances[]

Season One
Pilot Snakes in the Garden Kissed Hearts and Minds A Chill in the Air Chosen Left Behind Fated For King and Country Sacrifice Inquisition
Royal Blood Consummation Dirty Laundry The Darkness Monsters Liege Lord No Exit Toy Soldiers Higher Ground Long Live the King Slaughter of Innocence
Season Two
The Plague Drawn and Quartered Coronation The Lamb and the Slaughter Blood for Blood Three Queens The Prince of the Blood Terror of the Faithful Acts of War Mercy Getaway
Banished Sins of the Past The End of Mourning Forbidden Tasting Revenge Tempting Fate Reversal of Fortune Abandoned Fugitive The Siege Burn

Related Pages[]

Pages related to King Henry are the following:

King Henry 
History's King Henry
Henry and CatherineHenry and SebastianHenry and Francis
Henry and KennaHenry and DianeHenry and Penelope
Henry's Kill CountHenry's Room
Alan van Sprang


v  d  e
King: Charles IX of France Queen: Catherine de' Medici (Regent)
House of Valois
Heir: Henry of Valois Lands: Kingdom of France
Title(s): King of France · King of Poland · King Consort of Scotland · Grand Duke of Lithuania · Duke of Orléans ·
Deceased Members: Louis of Valois · Henriette of Valois · Emone of Valois · Henry II of France · Francis II of France
Household: ·


References[]

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