Henry VIII began his reign with much optimism. The handsome, athletic young king stood in sharp contrast to his wary, miserly father. Henry's lavish court quickly drained the treasury of the fortune he inherited. He married the widowed Catherine of Aragon, and they had several children, but none survived infancy except a daughter, Mary.
Henry VIII bega.n his reign with much opt.imism. The handsome, athletic young king stood in sharp contrast to his wary, miserly father. Henry's? lavish court quickly drained the treasury of the fortune he inherited. He married the widowed Catherine of Aragon, an?d they had several children, but none survived infancy ex,cept a daughter, Mary.