He loved jousting, he dissolved monasteries, and he got married a lot of times, but Henry VIII was also a keen gardener. Here are five top tips for horticultural success from his personal gardening manual:

Planting lettuce and radish seeds inside a ball of goat manure will result in the tastiest crop Make sure your grafting knife has a ring or hole in it so you can hang it from your girdle The garden should be surrounded by suitably high walls to keep out unwanted visitors The best garden seat is one formed of turf, that's flowering and most pleasant The trick to growing prize pumpkins and gourds is to use the ashes of human bones as a fertiliser

Henry's manual was written during the 14th century and given to him by his chaplain.

Known as Ruralia Commoda it is on display at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace until 11 October as part of Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden.