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Primary sourceArtifactc. 1526-1528

The Story of David

Pieter van Aelst · c. 1526-1528

A luxury Brussels tapestry bought for Henry VIII, part of a set depicting the biblical story of King David.

Henry VIII purchased this tapestry set, using its splendour to project royal majesty through the image of King David.

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Full view of a large Brussels tapestry with a rich floral border. Left background shows a figure in a garden at a fountain, with women gazing at a kneeling man. Center and right show richly dressed courtiers in a courtyard, and a Gothic palace with a balcony and arched doorway.
Pieter van Aelst, The Story of David (tapestry), c. 1526-1528. National Museum of the Renaissance.

About this source

What it is

This is one of a set of ten tapestries called The Story of David, woven in Brussels and produced by Pieter van Aelst around 1520. It was purchased for Henry VIII and is now held at the National Museum of the Renaissance.

Why it matters

Tapestries like this were among the most expensive objects a Renaissance ruler could own. By choosing scenes of the biblical King David, Henry linked himself to a famous royal figure, using the tapestry's rich colours, gold thread and fine craftsmanship to project his own majesty and power.

Look closer

  • What details in the tapestry show it was made for a wealthy and powerful owner?
  • Why might Henry have chosen scenes about King David rather than another story?
  • What skills would the weavers have needed to create this image?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Henry VIII on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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