There are parts of the play that are somewhat different from Shakespeare’s style but consistent with Fletcher’s. William Shakespeare’s authorship of ‘ Henry VIII’ is believed by some scholars to be in collaboration with John Fletcher, his successor at the Globe Theatre. It was a remarkable performance because a cannonball used for effect in the performance caught the roof of the Globe Theatre on fire and the theatre was burned to the ground. The date of the first recorded performance of ‘ Henry VIII’ is June 29, 1613. The probable date of each play is often based on the first recorded date of performance of the play. By chronology, ‘ Henry VIII’ is the last in the sequence of plays by William Shakespeare, although the chronology of Shakespeare’s plays remains uncertain. He is credited as the author of thirty-seven plays and several poems.

William Shakespeare is considered the greatest playwright in the English Language.

‘Henry VIII’ is the last play written by William Shakespeare.

The play was initially titled All Is True.

At the first performance of the play at the Globe Theatre in June of 1613, a cannonball used for effect caught the roof of the theatre on fire and the Globe Theatre burned to the ground. Due to inconsistencies in style within the play, ‘ Henry VIII’ is believed to have been written by William Shakespeare in collaboration with his successor, John Fletcher.

Shakespeare’s sole authorship of ‘ Henry VIII’ is uncertain.

Climax: Cardinal Wolsey’s fall from King Henry VIII’s favor.

Setting: Sixteenth-Century England, during the reign of King Henry VIII.

When Written: 1613 (date is based on the first recorded performance of the play).

Title: The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight.

The play also brings King Henry VIII’s blind trust of his advisor, Cardinal Wolsey to the fore and how the latter abused the power of his office and the trust of the king.

‘Henry VIII’ by William Shakespeare is a historical play about the politics and scheming in court during the reign of King Henry VIII of England and the events that followed his decision to divorce his wife Katherine amidst religious controversies, all of which culminates in the birth of his daughter, Elizabeth I by his second wife, Anne Bullen.

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