To mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne, Dr David Starkey presents a four-part biography that goes inside the mind of Henry. This is not the story of Henry and his six wives, but an unprecedented examination of the inner life of a pivotal figure in British history. This major series coincides with Starkey’s definitive biography on Henry and a British Library exhibition which he has curated. In tonight’s opening episode, David Starkey follows the dramatic events of Henry’s childhood: events that shaped his personality and his attitude to kingship.

Monday 6 April 2009
9:00pm, Channel 4