King Henry VIII was not only a major part of England's governmental structure, but he was also an integral part of English Renaissance literature . From writing love poems to participating in literary endeavors, King Henry VIII revolutionized literature in England while ruling the country. His humanist ideals and young, energetic personality provided a refreshing change of pace from the previous king, earning him the trust and support of his people. While his life was what modern society considers short, King Henry VIII changed the face of literature and government in England. Born Henry Tudor on June 28, 1491, he was the second son of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth. He was a young king, only 18 years old, when he ascended the throne after the death of his father. He was the first well-educated English monarch, speaking many languages, including French, Italian, Spanish and Latin. He was in many ways, including an accomplished musician, writer and poet. He excelled at jousting and hunting, using them not only as a pastime but also as a political tool. Although he possessed great qualities, he was also a very powerful man with a will of his own; his irresistible charm could turn into anger and shouting because he was nervous and unstable; he was also neurotic and controlled by a strong sense of cruelty. Crowned on June 24, 1509, the accession to the throne of King Henry VIII was warmly welcomed due to the differences between him and the late king. “The English were generally tired of the tight manners and austere court of the late king” (Herman 7). Meanwhile, the Reformation had finally begun in England. A dispute between King Henry VIII and the Pope was based on the assumption that the king was a "national standard... amid papers... books, plays, poems and pamphlets." Although King Henry VIII may not have had the best characteristics or always thought his actions through completely, there was no doubt that he was a leader his entire life. Britannica School. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2014. Web. February 25, 2014.Herman, Peter C. “Henry VIII.” British non-dramatic writers of the 16th century: first series. Ed. David A. Richardson. Detroit: Gale Research, 1993. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 132. Literary Resource Center. Internet. March 17. 2014. “Protestantism.” Britannica School. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2014. Web. March 17. 2014. Speake, Jennifer and Thomas G. Bergin. “Henry VIII.” Encyclopedia of the Renaissance and Reformation, revised edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2004. Modern World History Online. Facts about File, Inc. Web. March 31. 2014.