http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…..-VIII.html

Henry VIII has never been known as an austere King and his famous image as a round-bellied royal has shaped the public’s view of the Tudor over the centuries.

But a new study has revealed the true extent of his eye-watering spending, with the King shelling out nearly £6million a year on drinks alone.

The drinks would satisfy his guests and courtiers, along with the £3.5million he would spend on meat, according to the recent review of his spending.

The spending, which has recently been calculated into today’s terms, dwarfs the £1.4million that the current royals splash out on food for the Queen and her guests.

Although one if his biggest expenses was his divorce to Anne of Cleves in 1540, in which Henry – famous for his many wives – offered generous financial compensation.

Historians estimate that the settlement was worth £3,000 a year for the remaining 17 years of Anne’s life, which would amount to £29,630,000 in modern money.

The investigation marks the launch of new series Castles: Britain’s Fortified History, which is due to premiere on the Yesterday channel today.

Henry’s lavish castle banquets featured a variety of meats, including unusual dishes such as ox and mutton as well as more familiar offerings like pork, beef and venison.