Henry VIII is a man that has been extensively researched by historians. What makes the story of Henry VIII so fascinating are the six women that he married during his lifetime. Listed below are some brief biographies on the six wives of Henry VIII.
1. Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon was a Spanish princess who was originally married to Henry's brother Arthur. After Arthur's death Henry married Catherine to maintain an alliance with Spain. Henry had the marriage annulled as he had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn.
Catherine produced Henry one daughter by the name of Mary. Mary was later known as "Bloody Mary" due to all the protestants she killed during her reign. It is said Catherine died of a broken heart four years after she was exiled from the kingdom.
2. Anne Boleyn "The Most Happy"
Unlike other women of the time Anne refused to become Henry's mistress. She insisted that he annul his marriage to Catherine and marry her before she would be with him. Like Catherine Anne had still born children and multiple miscarriages. Henry believed god was punishing him for annulling his marriage to Catherine.
He accused Anne of adultery and had her beheaded. Anne is the mother of Elizabeth I, one of the most loved monarchs of all time.
3. Jane Seymour
Like Anne, Jane Seymour started her relationship with Henry when he was married to someone else. Henry married Jane 11 days after Anne was executed.
Jane died in childbirth giving Henry his only living son. Historians claim that Jane was Henry's favorite wife as he chose to be buried next to her.
4. Anne of Cleves
Henry married Anne in order to make an alliance with Germany. However he found that she was not as attractive in real life as she was in the portrait that he saw.
Henry quickly had the marriage annulled and the two parted ways amicably. She spent the rest of her days at court until she died in her bed.
5. Kathryn Howard
Kathryn Howard was considerably younger than Henry when they married. Henry was 50 while Kathryn was only 19. Henry was also very overweight and had an old wound on his leg that is said to have been oozing pus and smelt unpleasant.
Kathryn started seeing a courtier her own age. When Henry found out he had her beheaded just like her cousin Anne Boleyn.
6. Catherine Parr
Henry married Catherine because he needed somebody to look after him in his old age. Catherine and Anne of Cleves were the only two wives that outlived Henry VIII.
After Henry's death his son Edward became king. Unfortunately his life was very short and Mary soon became queen. After Mary's death Elizabeth began her long and prosperous reign.
References
Fredonia, Catherine of Aragon (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Fredonia, Anne Boleyn (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Fredonia, Jane Seymour (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Fredonia, Anne of Cleves (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Fredonia, Kathryn Howard (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Fredonia, Catherine Parr (Accessed May 10th, 2011).
Preetika Reddy - Preetika is a freelance writer who has been working within the media industry for over eleven years. She has worked as a journalist for ...
