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THE SIX WIVES
OF KING HENRY VIII

Friday, August 19, 2022

In today’s newsletter, we examine how a king seeking a male heir launched unforeseen changes, cover the persistent (and preventable) threat of rabies, witness a new ‘first’ for Free Solo climber Alex Honnold … and describe the lionfish invasion of Brazil’s coast.

IMAGE COURTESY OF STEFANO BIANCHETTI/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

Brawny and impulsive, King Henry VIII seemed an unlikely candidate to lead England to a lasting religious revolution. But his beef with the Vatican, spurred by a desire to leave wives who did not provide him with a male heir, led to him adopting change that was sweeping 16th-century Europe.

When Henry was done, England had a new official church not led by a foreign pope—but by the nation’s monarch. Monasteries were dissolved; their assets distributed to lay people. Relics and portraits of saints were dismissed as superstition. By the time Henry died, he had accumulated six wives (illustrated above)—two of whom were executed.

Just who were these women? And what led them toward doom?

Read the full story here.

Please, consider getting our full digital report and magazine by subscribing here.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

chamois mummy

PHOTOGRAPH BY J.J. KELLEY, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR DISNEY+

Forbidding Greenland monolith becomes latest ‘first’ for two climbing leaders (pictured above)

Invasive—but tasty—lionfish are crowding coastal waters off Brazil

Tornado tracks are moving east. Storm-chasing is alluring. Is the risk too high?

Did a second asteroid slam into Earth during dinosaurs’ demise?

Rabies is still a threat. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Well-funded scientists seek to bring back the extinct Tasmanian tiger

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHIEU PALEY, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Landscapes of wonder: One majestic valley, it is said, emerged from something like a fairytale. Another national park is home to Tibetan wolf, Himalayan ibex, Tibetan red fox, and golden marmots. Photographers long have flocked to the alpine lakes, broad valleys, and scenic drives of Pakistan’s lesser known, wilder side—and writer Gulnaz Khan gives you a tour. (Pictured above, Nat Geo Explorer Matthieu Paley captures high mountain peaks from the northern Hunza Valley region.)

PAID CONTENT FOR THE MAINE OFFICE
OF TOURISM

PHOTOGRAPH BY PETE MULLER

Uncover the awe-inspiring in Maine

Traveling along the jagged coast, into the valley, and out to the Mahoosuc mountains, National Geographic Photographer Pete Muller is no stranger to Maine. A Portland resident and avid explorer, Muller roams further into the state to document the beauty of the land and the powerful connection Mainers have with their home.

IN A FEW WORDS

QUOTE

As a group, [gray crowned cranes] fly together, look for food together, and dance together. They are an example of working together, and seeing them reminds me that if I want to go far or achieve a lot, I need to work with others.

Olivier Nsengimana

Rwandan veterinarian, Nat Geo Explorer

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY @KATIEORLINSKY

Free: Cliffs rise in southern New Mexico along the middle fork of the Gila River. The Gila is the largest river in the American West without a dam, and an 870-square mile area around it was the U.S.’s first designated wilderness area. Photographer Katie Orlinsky has spoken to our podcast, Overheard, about capturing the desert, grasslands, pinyon trees, pine forests, and mountain ranges of this rugged country.

Today’s newsletter was curated and edited by Jen Tse, David Beard, Anne Kim-Dannibale, Heather Kim, and Allie Yang. We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

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