The English King; Henry VIII (1491-1547); is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was; however; a gifted athlete; dancer and composer; writing many songs; poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves; as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these; written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince; newly married to Catherine of Aragon and theenvy of Europe. The lyrics tell the joys of hunting; dancing and singing and would have been sung as part of the court entertainment.

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