Henry VIII spent ‘a year’s tax’ on Christmas dinner, presents and entertainment – worth £13million in today’s money
HENRY VIII squandered the equivalent of a whole year of tax revenue on Christmas celebrations during his first year as King of England.
National Archives documents show that the 19-year-old sovereign spent over £13 million in today's money on food, events and presents for servants and entertainers.
The total national revenue for that year, 1509, was £16.5 million.
Among the generous presents, the monarch paid his court poet £5 (today's £2,400) and gave £1 (£483) to a woman who brought a perfumed ball to the palace.
He also awarded a goldsmith $83 (now £41,000) for gifts and The Children of Chapel Royal £2 (£967) for their singing performance on Christmas Day.
All expenses were paid at Richmond Palace, where the six-time married king was staying for Christmas.
The Head of the Medieval Records team at the National Archives, Dr Sean Cunningham, : "These records really do allow us to see the amazing wealth that surrounded the early Tudor kings.
"Right at the start of Henry VIII's reign, when he was still a teenager, it is fascinating to get an impression of his generosity and sense of fun from these documents showing what he spent his money on."
The National Archives are set to publish online the complete royal chamber expense books in Spring 2018.
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