⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ "Am I not a man like others?"⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

"At last, wishing to turn the conversation, the King said that he wished to ensure the succession to his kingdom by having children, which he had not at present, and upon my remarking to him that he had one daughter, the most virtuous and accomplished that could be thought of, just of suitable age to be married and get children, and that it seemed as if Nature had decided that the succession to the English throne should be through the female line, as he himself had obtained it, and therefore, that he could by marrying the Princess to some one secure the succession he was so anxious for, he replied that he knew better than that; and would marry again in order to have children himself. And upon my observing to him that he could not be sure of that he asked me three times running: "Am I not a man like others?" and he afterwards added: "I need not give proofs of the contrary, or let you into my secrets," no doubt implying thereby that his beloved Lady is already in the family way."

—Eustace Chapuys to the Emperor, written on 15 April 1533 (x)

The Tudors... I'll never forgive you for that.

@cromwelll