The Six Wives Of King Henry VIII

When we imagine Kings and Queens who ruled over thousands of people over the world, it is very natural to think of them in their rich and extravagant magnificence, wrapped in luxurious dresses and robes, enjoying delightful food and beverages, amusing themselves in many joyous parties and events, seated upon their thrones, loved by their people. But little do we know that behind all these splendours, there are dark stories that failed to remain in the darkness. Who doesn’t know about the notorious personal lives royals led in their times? Especially, none other than Henry the 8th of House Tudor- King of England who married SIX wives in his lifetime. 

If you don't know why, then one of the most obvious reasons would be his persistent desire for a male heir.

Let’s have a look at the lives of these unfortunate Queen consorts of England.

1) Catherine of Aragon:

Married 1509-1533 

Surviving Children- Mary I 

Catherine was the Princess of Bastille, born to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Before marrying King Henry, she had a short marriage to his older brother, Arthur- who died of sickness soon after the wedding. Catherine’s marriage to Henry is rather controversial and quite dramatic. They were believed to be married for love, against the wishes of many courtiers at the Royal court as she was the widow of Henry’s brother. But it turned out to be the longest marriage of King Henry which surprisingly lasted for more than 25 years. 

However, their marriage began to sour, when Catherine failed to produce a son even after more than two decades of their marriage. Though they had a daughter together, Henry was driven mad by his desire for a male successor. Soon, he filed an annulment to the Pope, stating that his marriage to Catherine was invalid as she’d already consummated her first marriage with his brother, Arthur. Apparently, the Pope was not in the favour of King Henry, and he refused the annulment. 

Frustrated with Roman Catholicism, King Henry cut his ties with the Vatican and began his own Church to serve his will. The Church of England emerged, and it provided Henry with the annulment he sought so desperately. Tragedy approached Queen Catherine, and she was forcefully cast aside from the court life forever. 

2) Anne Boleyn:

Married 1533-1536 

Surviving Children- Elizabeth I

If you thought Queen Catherine’s story was rather sad, you’re yet to meet Anne Boleyn, one of her Lady-in-waiting. 

Displeased King Henry started taking mistresses when his marriage was failing with Queen Catherine. Anne’s sister, Mary had previously caught the king’s attention, and soon the king got weary of her. When it was Anne’s turn, she avoided the mistakes her sister did. She refused the king’s advances on her without a proper marriage proposal. The king went crazy for Anne and began courting her publicly, even when he was still married to Queen Catherine. Many believe it was Anne Boleyn who drove the King to seek an annulment from the Pope, and start a new Church after that. But others say Henry was only hoping for a son from Anne. After getting the annulment, Anne wed the King and became his second Queen Consort. 

However, his hopes never became true with Anne. She gave birth to a daughter- Elizabeth and had two miscarriages later. Henry was getting impatient for a son, and it seems that his advisors took advantage of his situation to persuade him that Anne was unfaithful as a wife. It was very easy for Henry to grow suspicious, and he put Anne and his brother- George Boleyn in prison on the accusations of committing adultery and high treason. After several months of imprisonment, they were found guilty at the trials. Anne was beheaded afterwards along with her brother on Tower Hill in London. 

3) Jane Seymour:

Married 1536-1537 

Surviving Children- Edward VI 

Soon after Anne Boleyn’s execution, Jane Seymour was proposed to be the new wife of King Henry, and Henry accepted it. King Henry married Jane in 1936. Unlike Henry’s previous wives, Jane never received an official coronation, and hence, she was not a crowned queen. But that did not stop Henry from expecting a son from her. 

This time, it was a bittersweet story. Henry finally got what he wanted from his wife: a son named Edward who would succeed Henry as the King of England. But it cost him the life of the baby’s mother. 

Two weeks after the birth, Jane Seymour passed away. While arguments differ on the cause of her death, it would suffice to say that it was a result of some complications during pregnancy which was too difficult to determine in that period of time. Besides, deaths during childbirth or caused by pregnancy were not a big deal back then. It was rather common. Regardless, poor Jane didn’t deserve such a tragedy. 

As compensation for her death, Jane might be considered lucky that the king actually mourned for her. She was laid to rest in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. King Henry would be joining her at her side upon his death, later. 

4) Anne of Cleves:

Married- 1540 

Surviving Children- None 

As the King recovered from the death of Jane Seymour, his advisors made him see the need for a foreign ally for England. Roman Catholics were adamant about their enmity for the Church of England, and its creator- King Henry. A foreign ally would be helpful for England might the day came of war against the Catholics. 

There began the story of Anne. When Henry was ready to marry for the fourth time, several portraits of suitable brides were presented. The portrait of Anne of Cleves caught Henry’s eyes. 

But upon Anne’s arrival in England, Henry was disappointed to see her in reality. By looking at her figure and features, Henry raised his concerns that she had already been married before. Regardless, his advisors assured him otherwise, and he wed Anne of Cleves in 1940. 

However, their marriage didn’t work. King Henry found her distractingly unattractive to remain his wife and annulled their marriage by the Church of England- that he headed himself. 

A compensation was arranged for Anne for the annulment. She spent the rest of her life in England, away from the court, and maintained her own household separate from the King’s. It is believed that she kept a friendly relationship with Henry and his family regardless of what he did to her. Phew! Perhaps, Anne was just happy to have been spared from a fate like the Queen who shared the same name with her. 

5) Katherine Howard:

Married 1540-1542 

Surviving Children- None 

Katherine Howard was the maid of honour to Anne of Cleves, and next in the line to become King Henry’s wife. By the time she wed Henry, he was forty-nine years old, fat, and a wound in his legs caused him great pain. But Katherine was just a young girl. 

Henry grew suspicious of her as well (he was naturally jealous and suspicious). Perhaps he couldn’t stand Katherine’s youth as he grew older and older. Katherine was charged with treason and adultery for illicitly meeting a man during their marriage. She was stripped of her title of the Queen and was imprisoned. 

In the end, she shared the same fate as Anne Boleyn. Henry had her beheaded a few months later to conclude her chapter in his life. 

6) Katherine Parr:

Married 1543-1547 

Surviving Children- None 

Katherine Parr was the sixth and final wife of King Henry who proved to be a kind wife to him, and looked after him in his sickness during his final years. She was also a good stepmother to Henry’s children: Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. 

Though Katherine’s place in court was not easy to maintain (as she made many enemies at court), she managed to convince Henry that she was loyal to him. Henry trusted her so much that he named her Queen Reagent in the event of his death in 1547. 

Though remembered as Henry’s last wife who finally outlived him, she was also famous for several other reasons. With four husbands, Katherine Parr was the most married Queen in England. She was also an important patron of letters and the arts, as well as being the first woman to be published under her own name. She was a key early influence on her stepdaughter Elizabeth I. 

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Each of Henry’s wives had a different story to offer the history. All of them led different lives, and affected King Henry’s life, too. If you liked reading about the six wives of England’s most popular king, do tell us who you thought had the least unfortunate life, and who had the most. 

If you love the royal lives of history, this is where you should come back later. Thank you for reading.