Henry VIII, the Brain, and the Obesity

Henry VIII, the Brain, and the Obesity

From Fork U with Dr. Terry Simpson by Terry Simpson

March 26, 2026 · 12 min · Episode 120

About this episode

The episode explores the misconceptions surrounding King Henry VIII's obesity and the impact of a traumatic brain injury on his life and reign.

The Madness of King Henry VIII—and What We Got Wrong About Obesity The King We Forgot There is a moment in history that most of us think we understand. King Henry VIII—large, immobile, temperamental—has become almost a caricature of excess. We picture a man who simply ate too much, moved too little, and paid the price. It is a tidy story. Unfortunately, it is also likely the wrong one. Before the 1530s, Henry was something very different. He was athletic, charismatic, and energetic. He hunted, he jousted, he played sports, and he carried himself like the Renaissance ideal—educated, capable, and physically impressive. His armor, still preserved today, tells that story clearly. Narrow waist. Broad chest. Built for motion. The Fall That Changed Everything Then everything changes. In January of 1536, Henry was thrown from his horse during a jousting match. The horse fell on him. He was reportedly unconscious for hours. Not minutes—hours. Even by modern standards, that is a significant traumatic brain injury. Soon after, in May of that same year, Anne Boleyn was arrested and executed. She was accused not only of adultery but also of witchcraft. That detail matters. Prior to this…

People in this episode

Host: Terry Simpson

Topics covered

  • obesity
  • history
  • traumatic brain injury
  • Renaissance
  • superstition
  • political theater

Keywords

  • Henry VIII
  • obesity
  • brain injury
  • Anne Boleyn
  • Renaissance
  • history
  • superstition

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: armor

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