With 2009 marking the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's coronation there are a series of major exhibitions taking place across London this year. In addition to the Henry VIII: Man and Monarch exhibition at the British Library, opening this month, the Tower of London pays its respects with Dressed to Kill, an exhibition with a focus on his suits of armour. With loans from and in partnership with the Royal Armouries, this new exhibition shows exactly how larger than life Henry became. Five complete suits of armour on show here clearly demonstrate his expanding physique with a waist line growing from a 32in to a 52in circumference. Alongside these suits which show his impressive stature are the largest number of objects and items which belonged to Henry VIII, reunited for the first time since the reign of Elizabeth I. In The Times the review led with the headline, "Armour shows how Henry VIII grew into an 'absolute monster'". Certainly, paintings have suggested a rotund ageing king after six marriages, but this recent research carried out by the Royal Armouries has revealed, for the first time, exactly how portly the legendarily large king became in later life.
What's on at
Tower Of London
Fun Family Trails At The Tower Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday A trip to the Tower of London is one of...
Price: FREE
Henry VIII: Dressed To Kill 3rd April 2009 - 17th January 2010 With 2009 marking the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's...
Price: £16 (Adults)
Tower Of London Ice Rink 21st November 2009 - 10th January 2010 Nestled in the rounded hollow of the dry moat, the...
Tower of London
Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB
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London's Christmas Ice Rinks
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Whittington Avenue,
off Gracechurch Street,The City,
London,
EC3VMap
10 minutes walk from Henry VIII: Dressed To Kill
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With 2009 marking the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's coronation there are a series of major exhibitions taking place across London this year. In addition to the 
