Henry VIII - would YOU marry this man?
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Introduction to the Tudors
I've always found this period of history fascinating, although I'm not sure why! Perhaps because I had a hard time understanding why so many women would want to be the next in line to marry this man, particularly when he was so quick to dump them or kill them in favour of someone else! However, having researched this subject, and have seen many dramas and documentaries on this, I now understand the characters involved and now feel its time to pass on what I have learned.
The truth is that in Tudor times, women had very little rights or control over their own destiny, whereas the king had the ulitmate power. He would be able to choose his wife, and they would have had little say in the matter. However, to some degree Henry's wives believed that their position as queen would be enough to influence Henry's decisions. They also knew that as long as they were able to bear a son to be heir to the throne, their position would be assured. Even when previous wives had been forced into a divorce or beheaded, they each believed that this could not happen to them, as long as they were careful!
There have been many powerful dramas made about this subject over the years. The video clips I've included should help to tell the story of life for women (and to some degree men) living in this period, particularly if they angered the king.
The truth is that in Tudor times, women had very little rights or control over their own destiny, whereas the king had the ulitmate power. He would be able to choose his wife, and they would have had little say in the matter. However, to some degree Henry's wives believed that their position as queen would be enough to influence Henry's decisions. They also knew that as long as they were able to bear a son to be heir to the throne, their position would be assured. Even when previous wives had been forced into a divorce or beheaded, they each believed that this could not happen to them, as long as they were careful!
There have been many powerful dramas made about this subject over the years. The video clips I've included should help to tell the story of life for women (and to some degree men) living in this period, particularly if they angered the king.
3 things you should know about The six wives of Henry VIII
Henry's whole motivation to constantly marry was to have a son and heir, which he did manage (briefly) via his third wife.On the whole, the wives' motivation was to achieve power and position in a very repressed society.
What Henry could never have anticipated was that his daughter Elizabeth would become a very powerful queen and rule for many years in her own right (perhaps the first advocate of "Girl Power!).
Six Wives of Henry VIII
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Catherine of Aragon
First wife of Henry VIII and mother of Mary I
Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. She came to England in 1501 to marry Henry's older brother Arthur when she was just 16. When Arthur died, it was Henry's father's wish that she marry Henry. They were happily married for some time, however although they had a daughter (Mary) no son was born to them. She did have several pregnancies, but the babies tended to be born dead, or she would miscarry.Henry began to diubt his decision to marry Catherine. He found a passage in the bible which stated that as he had married his brother's wife, they would remain childless. He refused to count Mary as as his heir.
Also, Henry had fallen in love with another woman, Anne Boleyn. He petitioned the Pope for a divorce (at this time Catholicism was the only major religion in England). however they refused, as did Catherine.
Henry decided the only way forward was to reform the church, and create a Church of England, so that he would be the head of this and could grant himself a divorce. Catherine (a devout Catholic) fought him all the way, as this would not only reduce her standing, but also render her daughter Mary illegitimate. In the end she had no choice but to let Henry have his way.
Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon - Legatine trial
Sorry, we couldn't find a video at that link. Try again?Anne Boleyn
Henry VIII's second wife and mother of Elizabeth
Anee Boleyn was sent to France with her sister Mary to become a maid in the Royal Court when she was just 14. When she returned in 1522, both her and her sister had many admirers. Her sister became the King's mistress for a time, and then Anne became the focus of Henry's attention. However, she refused to become his mistress, as Mary had done before her. Instead she held out, telling him that she could only be his wife. This made Henry more determined, and ultimately reformed the church so that he could marry her.Anne was a very intelligent woman, strong willed, with her head full of political ambitions.
Once she had become queen, she gave birth to a daughter (Elizabeth I), although she too seemed unable to produce a son.
Very soon, Henry tired of her, but was unwilling to go though another divorce so soon. Instead, he had his advisors invent evidence against her. They produced "witnesses" to testify that she had been having affairs with several men (including her own brother), and was also plotting against the King.
Anne defended herself eloquently, but was convicted of High Treason and sentanced to death by beheading.
Helena Bonham Carter as Anne Boleyn
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Jane Seymour
Henry VIII's third wife and mother or Edward VI
Henry married Jane Seymour just eleven days after Anne Boleyn was executed. Henry was attracted to her as she was much more quiet and reserved than either of this other wives. He was overjoyed when she became pregnant, and even more so when she gave birth to a healthy son, Edward VI.However, shortly afterwards, she died due to complications with childbirth. Jane was probably Henry's favourite wife, and on his deathbed he requested that he woudl be burried next to her.
Six Wives of Henry VIII - Jane Seymour
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Anne of Cleves
Henry's fourth wife
Henry ermained single for a couple of years after Jane's death. Even though Edward had become an unhealthy child, Henry still had a living son, and was not interested in marrying again.However, since England had broken with the Catholic Church, he was advised that he should form an alliance with another proestant nation, namely Germany. The artist Hans Holbein was sent to paint portraits of suitable candidates, and from these Henry chose the eldest daughter of the Duke of Cleves, Anne.
However, when she arrived in England, Henry was appalled! He so dislkied her that he tried desperately to get out of the marriage. This proved impossible, due to the strict contract between the two countries.
Although he went through with the marriage (for political reasons), Henry felt unable to consumate it. The couple divorced after a short period, although this was amicable.
Anne spent the rest of her life in England and survived not only Henry, but all of his wives.
Katherine Howard
Henry's fifth wife
Katherine was chosen to marry Henry even before he had finalised his divorce to Anne of Cleves. She was the 15 year old daughter of Edmund Howard and Anne Boleyn's cousin. Henry by this time was 49.Although ambitious, Katherine quickly tired of being married to such an old man. She was very flirtatious and outgoing, and sought companionship amongst the young courtiers. This led to her having at least one affair whilst married to Henry.
Whne he found out about this, Henry was devastated, and Katherine was executed for High Treason.
Katherine Howard
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Catherine Parr
Henry's sixth wife
Catherine Parr was older and more stable than Catherine Howard. She had also been widowed twice. She became more of a companion and nursemaid to Henry (he had suffered an injury to his leg which gave him difficulty walking), and stepmother to his children.She outlived Henry, and later married Thomas Seymour (Edward's uncle)
Six Wives of Henry VIII - Catherine Parr
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