The Six Wives Of Henry VIII

For more information and images about this video please visit http://talesofcuriosity.com/v/HenrysWives/.Beneath is abridged text from our site: England, Apr 21 1509, Henry VIII became King. He was determined to create a Tudor dynasty. Catherine Of Aragon - 1st Wife Born: Dec 16 1485 Married: June 11 1509 Divorced/Annulled: 1533 Died: Jan 7 1536 Catherine was born in Madrid, Spain, daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon & Queen Isabella I of Castile. She married Henry's older brother Arthur, Nov 14 1501, but Apr 2 1502 he died of "sweating sickness". Henry VII did not want to return Catherine Of Aragon's dowry, so arranged for her to marry Henry. He was 5 years younger than her. Henry VII, then left it on hold, keeping the dowry. After Henry VIII was crowned, he married Catherine. Although she bore Henry 6 children, only 1 survived. She would become Queen Mary, known as "Bloody Mary". Henry believed the reason for the lack of a male heir was a cursed marriage as Catherine of Aragon was his brother, Prince Arthur's widow. After 24 years of marriage, he declared it illegal. Catherine was banished from court dying 2 years later. Anne Boleyn - 2nd Wife Born: c1500 Married: Jan 1533 Divorced/Annulled: 1536 Executed: May 19 1536 When Henry VIII noticed Anne, her sister was his mistress. Anne was stylish & an accomplished musician. Henry attempted to seduce her, but she rejected him. His solution was to annull his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, & wed Anne. Pope Clement refused to grant this, so Henry broke the church in England away from Rome. He granted his own annulment & married Anne. She gave birth to a girl who would reign as Queen Elizabeth I, followed by 3 miscarriages. Anne Boleyn had a bad temper, argued with Henry & made enemies at court. Henry became impatient with her behaviour & lack of a male heir. He also wanted to marry Jane Seymour. Henry said he had been seduced into marriage by sorcery. Anne was sent to the Tower of London, accused of adultery & plotting the king's death. Found guilty she was beheaded on Tower Green. Jane Seymour - 3rd Wife Born: c1509 Married: 30 May 1536 Died: 24 Oct 1537 A day after Anne Boleyn's execution, Henry VIII became engaged to Jane Seymour, who had served in Anne Boleyn's household. They married 10 days later. Jane was very different to Anne Boleyn. She was fair & her household was strictly run. Oct 12 1537, Jane gave birth to a boy. Henry was overjoyed. He had a male heir! The boy would become King Edward VI, but die aged just 15. Jane died 12 days later from an infection. Henry mourned her death & did not remarry for 3 years. Jane Seymour was Henry VIII's favourite wife. He is buried next to her. Anne of Cleves - 4th Wife Born: 1515 Married: Jan 6 1540 Divorced: July 1540 Died: July 16 1557 After Henry VIII decided to marry again, Anne of Cleves & her sister Amelia were considered. Hans Holbein the Younger, was sent to Germany to paint them & told to make the paintings realistic. Marriage was agreed, however Anne was not as described, looking old for her age. Henry called her a "Flanders Mare". The feeling was mutual. But the marriage went ahead to preserve England's relations with Germany. After just six months it was annulled. In gratitude to her consenting to the annulment, Henry gave Anne land & property. They became good friends. Catherine Howard - 5th Wife Born: c1521 Married: July 28 1540 Executed: February 13 1542 Catherine Howard was a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves. Henry married her a few weeks after his divorce. She was frivolous, a dangerous trait to have being married to Henry VIII. He showered Catherine with expensive gifts. However, he was 30 years older & she found him unattractive beginning an affair with Thomas Culpeper, a favourite of Henry VIII. Soon news reached Henry. After being shown a love letter, Catherine was charged with treason, adultery & for not informing Henry VIII of affairs she had before the marriage. She was executed aged either 20 or 21. Catherine Parr - 6th Wife Born: 1512 Married: July 12 1543 Widowed: Jan 28 1547 Died: Sept 5 1548 Catherine, probably the most influential of Henry VIII's wives, worked in the household of his daughter Mary. She was a widow in a relationship with Thomas Seymour (1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley). After Henry VIII proposed, she was obliged to marry him. Catherine had good relations with all of Henry VIII's children, helping to reconcile him with daughters, Mary & Elizabeth. July-Sept 1544 Catherine was made regent effectively ruling the country. This was whilst Henry was on his last military campaign. It has been speculated Catherine's character & religious beliefs were a big influence on her stepdaughter Elizabeth I. Henry VIII was sick & Catherine was more nurse than wife. Henry VIII died Jan 28 1547 & was buried in Windsor next to his third wife, Jane Seymour. Catherine Parr then married Thomas Seymour, but soon died from childbirth complications.