The Tudor King's role in shaping football in England
The name Henry VIII usually conjures up visions of banquets, boozing, womanising and flashing his cash. Some would say he ticks all of the boxes for a modern footballer. However, he did chop off a lot of people’s heads, so I think that is where the similarity ends. But what about Henry the football fan?
Obviously a big fan of opulent feasts, lavish court life and getting married, there is evidence that he was a big fan of football. Rarely do we associate the hefty monarch with the rough and tumble of the beautiful game. Yet, Henry VIII’s connection to the sport reveals an intriguing side to his personality (other than being a bit of a git) and sheds light on the early development of football in England.
A medieval game with royal appeal
The origins of football trace back to medieval England, where a chaotic and often violent version of the game was played in villages and towns, known as “mob football”. It bore little resemblance to the organised sport we know today. Instead of carefully defined rules, the game often descended into a free for all, a bit like a Sunday league match were hung over, beer bellied blokes kick lumps out of each other, then swill down another ten pints to numb the pain. For Henry VIII, this unruly pastime must have appealed to his competitive spirit and robust physicality. It turns out in his younger days he was a bit of a sports man. The young king was known for his athletic prowess, excelling in sports such as jousting, hunting and tennis. Football, though less structured than these other pursuits, would have been an outlet for his energy and love of competition.
An early leather football boot
So was Henry VIII really a football fan?
Historical records suggest that Henry VIII’s interest in football extended beyond casual play. In 1526, royal inventories listed a pair of football boots made specifically for the king. These boots were specially commissioned and made of Italian leather. They were likely far more functional than the lightweight footwear of modern footballers, or Nanna’s slippers as I like to call them. The inclusion of football boots in the King’s wardrobe may indicate that the sport held a certain level of importance in his life, even as a monarch. Either that, or it was one of those gifts that you receive, put in a cupboard somewhere and never use, like candle stick holders. Who needs candle stick holders?
While Henry’s involvement in the game might not have extended to public matches, his enthusiasm for football highlights its growing popularity during the Tudor era. For common people, football was a spirited escape from the rigors of daily life. Not much has changed I suppose. For Henry, it may have been another way to demonstrate his physical prowess.
Mark Smeaton would regret that goal
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The King’s ban on football
Ironically, despite his apparent interest in football, Henry VIII played a role in restricting the sport. Concerned about the game's unruliness and its potential to distract from archery practice - a skill vital for national defense and foreign expansion - Henry enforced laws that limited football. The 1541 “Unlawful games act” explicitly prohibited football as it “may interfere with military preparedness.” Another reason to dislike the tyrannical twit.
This legislation reflects Henry’s dual nature as both an enthusiast of the sport and a pragmatic ruler. While he enjoyed the thrill of competition, he recognised the need for discipline and control, especially in a kingdom preparing for potential conflicts. Either that or his gammy leg prevented him from playing, so like a big spoiled brat he decided no one can play. In my opinion, a typical case of taking your ball home behaviour from old misery guts H.
From banned to beloved
Although Henry VIII’s reign did its utmost to stop football being played, this era marked an important period in the sport’s evolution. By the 16th century, football had become ingrained in English culture, paving the way for its transformation into a more structured game.
Thomas Cromwell immediatley regreted putting in a heavy challenge on Henry VIII
While Henry’s connection to the sport provides a fascinating glimpse into its early history. His love for physical activity and his complex relationship with the game, both as a player and a ruler reflects the broader cultural significance of football in Tudor England. Today, as we watch Premier League matches or cheer for our national team, it's worth remembering that the roots of modern football stretch back centuries, to a time when even a King like Henry VIII might have donned his leather boots for a spirited game.
I have an image of Henry setting up his courtiers for a match that he always won, no one took the ball off him and they all clapped when he scored a goal, all under the threat of being beheaded. What a massive sociopath he was.
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