It ’s all but insufferable to learn aboutHenry VIII ’s six wife without picking a favorite . Perhaps you ’re partial to the obstinate and imperious Catherine of Aragon , who turn down to get divorce without a fight , or the fiery and ambitiousAnne Boleyn , who according to some accounts did whatever it withdraw to get ahead . You might admire the quietly merry Jane Seymour , pity the boisterous stripling Katherine Howard , or be impressed with the savvy and pity Katherine Parr .
But too often lost in the shamble is Henry ’s fourth wife , Anne of Cleves . She escaped a joyless family , invalidate an infelicitous marriage , and jumped at the prospect to live her best life .
Henry VIII’s Search for Wife Number Four
Henry VIII had been conjoin three time — with just one sonand two daughters(who everyone agreed did n’t count for much ) to show for it — by the time he set eyes on a portrayal of Anne . In his interest of a happy spousal relationship and male person heirs , Henry had managedto draw the ireof both the pope and the Holy Roman emperor butterfly , adjudge himself head of a stain - new Church of England , get excommunicated , and behead a womanhood he ’d onceloved to the point of fixation .
Despite his lead record as a husband , Henry ’s condition made him an challenging alternative for any parent with an heart for political matchmaking . And though he understood the importance of a strategic coalition — Catholic Europe was brawny and menacing — Henry was said to be a romantic . He institutionalise his minister of religion far and widein hunt of a bridewho would suit the needs of both his heart and his commonwealth .
After scouring the continent , one name rose to the top of the leaning : Anne of Cleves , a 24 - year - previous from Germany whose Protestant family seemed like honest allies to have in England ’s corner .
“I Like Her Much Worse”
The Duke of Cleves run a tight ship . His daughter Anne had been bring up in a context where fun and music were discouraged and womanly modesty was the name of the plot . Few had seen much of the new princess , who was typically swathed in gruelling veils . paper of her stunner — compared to “ the halcyon sun”by Thomas Cromwell , Henry ’s fixer and the brain behind the couple — were hopeful at best .
Other minor agent also complicated the potential system . For one , Anne could n’t speak French or Latin , thelingua francasof European courts at the clip , lease alone English . Despite the barricade , Cromwell discharge court painterHans Holbeinto capture Anne ’s likeness . The resulting illumination pleased Henry enough to result in a formal offer .
Anne ’s looks and manners impress all she met along her procession into England . But her first clash with Henry was a indorse disaster . The king was polite and nice , then fumed the moment he ’d bid her goodnight . “ I see nothing in this woman as men report of her!”he shouted .
It ’s impossible to recognise what Anne ’s impression was of her future husband . But between his oozingleg injuryand the fact that he was twice her age , it ’s gruelling to ideate she was headland over heel .
Henry and Anne were married on January 6 , 1540 , just five days after they first met . The king was unimpressed by their marriage ceremony night : " Now I like her much worse,“he enunciate .
Our skillful evidence about Anne ’s feelings come up not from what she did but from what she did not . Unlike two of her harbinger , Anne put up no conflict when Henry moved to unmake their wedding vows . Just six month in , their unconsummated married couple was annulled .
A Prize in Disguise
Anne ’s want of ambition turned out to be the key to her success .
alternatively of being Henry ’s queen , Anne rapidly assumed the role of his sibling ( the tworeferred to one anotheras “ brother ” and “ sister ” in correspondence ) , and as such ranked above nearly every other char in the English court . Rather than going back to her stuffy fellowship , she remained in England , where she enjoyed a generous allowance , her own attribute , and the freedom to last life as she pleased .
While courtier ( and wife ) uprise and fall in their orbits around the king , Anne stay on on good term with Henry and his children . Despitedying at just 41 , she outlive him and all of his other wives , savour a prosperous life-time on her own term until the close .
