Letter: The long and short of the height issue

Sir: As a student of Tudor history at A-level, I was perplexed by Tim Harrison's inclusion of Henry VIII in his 'glut of short men who have been world leaders' ('The tall are tired of being looked down on', 3 August). Having seen Henry's immense suit of armour at an exhibition last year, I am sure that he was not a small man. In fact, David Starkey states in his book The Reign of Henry VIII that the king was 6ft 2in.

Therefore, regarding Tim Harrison's suggestion that 'Tall people are generally shyer, less ambitious and more likely to stand down in an argument', I would say that Henry VIII was a most definite exception.

Yours faithfully,

BRIONY HUDSON

Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire

3 August