Henry VIII
Greenwich Star Sign: Crab Henry VIII Outside his notorious marriages Henry is remembered as the "Father of the Royal Navy", increasing the navy from 5 to 50 ships. During his forty-year reign he led England through a series of intense changes also Church-State relationship which excluded the papacy Henry worked closely with Parliament in passing a series of laws In his youth he was athletic and highly intelligent. A contemporary observer described him thus: 'he speaks good French, Latin and Spanish included writing both books and music, and he was a lavish patron of the arts. St James's Palace is the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom Built by King Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536 But believe it or not, St. James's Palace has been a key location for many important events in London's history, by anthony