Expert: Joseph Logue - 6/17/2007

Question
for each wife:
why did he marry them?
what sig. events happened in the marriage?
why did the marriage end?
thanks

Answer
Hello Macailla,

1.  Catherine of Aragon:  Henry married his brother Arthur's widow to solidify England's relations with Spain.  Their long marriage was marked chiefly by Henry becoming one of the most powerful monarchs in Europe, aiding the Pope when Rome was sacked (thus earning the title "Defender of the Faith" still used today).  Personally, the marriage was marked by one surviving daughter (later, Queen Mary I) and many stillborn sons.

2.  Anne Boleyn:  Her beauty got to Henry and he became obsessed with possessing her.  To divorce Catherine meant a break with Rome, which became the establishment of a Church of England.  Anne likewise could produce only one healthy daughter (later, Queen Elizabeth I).  Her affairs led to her being tried and convicted for treason.  Off with her head!

3.  Jane Seymour:  The Seymours were a well-connected clan around the Court.  He married Jane in his continued hopes of begetting a son.  He got his wish when Jane gave birth to a boy, later King Edward VI.  She, however, died in childbirth.

4.  Anne of Cleves:  Upon the advice of Henry's Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell, the "Flanders Mare" was brought to England in the hopes of gaining a strong ally on the Continent.  (Anne's father the Duke of Cleves led a mighty army.)  Her lack of physical beauty and her bad English proved to be too much for Henry and they were divorced after six months.  Henry did take care of her though, settling her into a nice house with a pension and plenty of servants.

5.  Catherine Howard:  The daughter of the Duke of Norfolk appealed to Henry because of her beauty and youth.  His aged body and gross appearance led Catherine to seek other companions her own age.  Upon discovering this, Catherine was similarly tried and convicted of treason against the King's person and beheaded.

6.  Katherine Parr:  Henry married this middle-aged widow chiefly for companionship and maybe because at this point of his life he did not know how to be single.  In bad health, enormously fat, and dying, Katherine gave Henry sweet relief in his last days, and survived him.

I hope this helps Macailla.  Thanks for visiting AllExperts.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue