FORUMS:HISTORY:WIVES OF HENRY VIII



Henry VIII married six times but only three of them gave him children. He beheaded two wives, divorced another two, outlived one and survived by his last wife.

Katherine of Aragon


She married his older brother Arthur, until he died in 1502. Henry and Katherine soon got married and Katherine had many miscarriages. Only a daughter, Mary survived into adulthood. Henry had her divorced from him and she died in 1536. Her daughter Mary, is known as Mary I or Bloody Mary.

Anne Boleyn


Anne Boleyn is known as the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Henry married her after his divorce from Katherine. Unfortunately, like Katherine, she suffered miscarriages and only a daughter, Elizabeth survived. Henry believed that she flirted with others, but she proved that she was innocent. Henry got angry and had her beheaded in 1536.

Jane Seymour


Jane was a lady-in-waiting to Anne and Katherine. Jane and Henry got married days after Anne lost her head. She bore Henry a healthy son Edward (Edward VI) but died from birth complications in 1537. She is the "true wife" of Henry. Henry wore black, never married for three years.

Anne of Cleves


Anne of Cleves was the fourth wife of Henry VIII. Henry saw her portrait, she was beautiful and she was sent to England to meet him. But when he saw her, she was ugly. She was called instead the "King's Sister".

Kathryn Howard


Kathryn was the fifth wife of Henry VIII and a cousin of Anne Boleyn. She was found cheating on him with Culpeper and Dereham. Then the three were executed.

Catherine Parr


Catherine Parr is the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII. She was a loving stepmother to his children. She took care of them and nursed Henry until his death in 1547. She died a year later, complications from childbirth.