The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Catherine of Aragon
Married: November 14, 1509 Divorced: 1533
Catherine of Aragon was born to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. She was betrothed to Henry VIII’s brother Arthur from time she was three. She married Arthur, November 14, 1501. Arthur subsequently died 6 months later. Within 14 months she was betrothed to Henry VIII. This marriage was politically shrewd because King Henry VII could keep her dowry and relations with Spain. Catherine married Henry VIII June 11, 1509, “the marriage took place in a private ceremony in the queen’s closet at Greenwich Palace in front of two witnesses: Lord Steward Shrewsbury and groom of the privy chamber, William Thomas” (Marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, 2014).
In 1510 Catherine gave birth to still born daughter, but became pregnant relatively quickly with a son. Prince Henry was born January 1st, 1511, but died only 52 days later. Catherine conceived again only to have another miscarriage and then gave birth to another son who died as an infant. In February of 1516 she gave birth to their daughter Princess Mary, who was the only one of their children to survive. It is likely that she conceived twice more and miscarried as her last recorded pregnancy was in 1518.
By 1526, he had fallen in love with his mistress’s sister Anne Boleyn, and Catherine’s lady in waiting. Henry was frustrated that he did not have an heir to the throne and by this time Catherine was in her 40’s and unable to conceive. He requested an annulment from Catherine, saying that their marriage was not legal, because of her prior marriage to his brother, Arthur. This decision would not only strip her of her title as Queen, but would inevitably separate her from her daughter, so she appealed on the grounds that her marriage to Arthur had never been consummated. By 1532, Anne was pregnant and Henry and Catherine Divorced in 1533. “The king cited a verse from the biblical book of Leviticus that stated that a man who took his brother's wife would be punished by childlessness” (The Six Wives, 2003).
Catherine died in 1536, in Kimbolton Castle, and she was buried in Peterborough Abbey, not with the title of Queen but of Princess.
Married: November 14, 1509 Divorced: 1533
Catherine of Aragon was born to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. She was betrothed to Henry VIII’s brother Arthur from time she was three. She married Arthur, November 14, 1501. Arthur subsequently died 6 months later. Within 14 months she was betrothed to Henry VIII. This marriage was politically shrewd because King Henry VII could keep her dowry and relations with Spain. Catherine married Henry VIII June 11, 1509, “the marriage took place in a private ceremony in the queen’s closet at Greenwich Palace in front of two witnesses: Lord Steward Shrewsbury and groom of the privy chamber, William Thomas” (Marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, 2014).
In 1510 Catherine gave birth to still born daughter, but became pregnant relatively quickly with a son. Prince Henry was born January 1st, 1511, but died only 52 days later. Catherine conceived again only to have another miscarriage and then gave birth to another son who died as an infant. In February of 1516 she gave birth to their daughter Princess Mary, who was the only one of their children to survive. It is likely that she conceived twice more and miscarried as her last recorded pregnancy was in 1518.
By 1526, he had fallen in love with his mistress’s sister Anne Boleyn, and Catherine’s lady in waiting. Henry was frustrated that he did not have an heir to the throne and by this time Catherine was in her 40’s and unable to conceive. He requested an annulment from Catherine, saying that their marriage was not legal, because of her prior marriage to his brother, Arthur. This decision would not only strip her of her title as Queen, but would inevitably separate her from her daughter, so she appealed on the grounds that her marriage to Arthur had never been consummated. By 1532, Anne was pregnant and Henry and Catherine Divorced in 1533. “The king cited a verse from the biblical book of Leviticus that stated that a man who took his brother's wife would be punished by childlessness” (The Six Wives, 2003).
Catherine died in 1536, in Kimbolton Castle, and she was buried in Peterborough Abbey, not with the title of Queen but of Princess.
Anne Boleyn
Married: January 25, 1533 Executed: May 19, 1536
Historians are not exactly sure when Anne Boleyn was born, some say, as early as 1501, while others contend that it may be as late as 1509. Little is known about her early years but her sister was a mistress to King Henry VII and he had seemingly fallen in love with her, he wrote to her many love letters, 17 of which remain in the Vatican library.
By 1532 she was pregnant and she and Henry married secretly, January 25, 1533. It wasn’t until May 23, 1533, that Henry’s marriage to Catherine was deemed invalid by the Archbishop. On the first of June 1533, she was crowned Queen. September 7, 1533, Princess Elizabeth was born. She tried again to conceive a son, but she had two miscarriages. She was unable to produce a son, and Henry’s affections were transferred to a lady in waiting, Jane Seymour.
Henry charged Anne, with incest, adultery as well as treason. These seemed to be most likely “trumped up charges”, but none the less, there were additional people including her own brother, who were tried, convicted, and executed. Anne was also convicted, and she was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Just before her execution King Henry had their marriage dissolved. Her remains were buried in an unmarked grave at the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Married: January 25, 1533 Executed: May 19, 1536
Historians are not exactly sure when Anne Boleyn was born, some say, as early as 1501, while others contend that it may be as late as 1509. Little is known about her early years but her sister was a mistress to King Henry VII and he had seemingly fallen in love with her, he wrote to her many love letters, 17 of which remain in the Vatican library.
By 1532 she was pregnant and she and Henry married secretly, January 25, 1533. It wasn’t until May 23, 1533, that Henry’s marriage to Catherine was deemed invalid by the Archbishop. On the first of June 1533, she was crowned Queen. September 7, 1533, Princess Elizabeth was born. She tried again to conceive a son, but she had two miscarriages. She was unable to produce a son, and Henry’s affections were transferred to a lady in waiting, Jane Seymour.
Henry charged Anne, with incest, adultery as well as treason. These seemed to be most likely “trumped up charges”, but none the less, there were additional people including her own brother, who were tried, convicted, and executed. Anne was also convicted, and she was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Just before her execution King Henry had their marriage dissolved. Her remains were buried in an unmarked grave at the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Jane Seymour
Married: May 30, 1536 Died: October 24, 1537
Jane Seymour was born in 1508 or 1509, she was in the court serving Catherine of Aragon, but then moved to wait on Anne. In February of 1536, Henry had fallen for her, and she was married to Henry on May 30, 1536. He had been betrothed to Jane within 24 hours, and married to her within 11 days after the execution of his second wife Anne Boleyn. Jane did not have a coronation at this time, she was waiting until she provided Henry with a son and heir to the throne.
She became pregnant and delivered a son, Edward VI, in October of 1537, but died 12 days later. She was buried at King Henry VIII’s tomb and is the only of his wives to be buried with him.
Married: May 30, 1536 Died: October 24, 1537
Jane Seymour was born in 1508 or 1509, she was in the court serving Catherine of Aragon, but then moved to wait on Anne. In February of 1536, Henry had fallen for her, and she was married to Henry on May 30, 1536. He had been betrothed to Jane within 24 hours, and married to her within 11 days after the execution of his second wife Anne Boleyn. Jane did not have a coronation at this time, she was waiting until she provided Henry with a son and heir to the throne.
She became pregnant and delivered a son, Edward VI, in October of 1537, but died 12 days later. She was buried at King Henry VIII’s tomb and is the only of his wives to be buried with him.
Anne of Cleves
Married: January 6, 1540 Annulled: July 9, 1540
Henry had waited over two years after Jane died, before he sought to marry and Anne of Cleves was selected as a wife. She was a politically advantageous match for Henry. He sent a painter to the duke of Cleves to paint a portrait of his two daughters and of them, Anne was selected. They were married January 6, 1540, but he was not pleased with his new bride. He had their marriage annulled and Anne agreed and lived a quiet life in a castle given to her which had belonged to Anne Boleyn.
“Anne of Cleves died at Chelsea Old Manor on 16 July 1557 during the reign of Queen Mary I. She was buried at Westminster Abbey near the Shrine of Edward the Confessor” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Married: January 6, 1540 Annulled: July 9, 1540
Henry had waited over two years after Jane died, before he sought to marry and Anne of Cleves was selected as a wife. She was a politically advantageous match for Henry. He sent a painter to the duke of Cleves to paint a portrait of his two daughters and of them, Anne was selected. They were married January 6, 1540, but he was not pleased with his new bride. He had their marriage annulled and Anne agreed and lived a quiet life in a castle given to her which had belonged to Anne Boleyn.
“Anne of Cleves died at Chelsea Old Manor on 16 July 1557 during the reign of Queen Mary I. She was buried at Westminster Abbey near the Shrine of Edward the Confessor” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Catherine Howard
Married: July 28, 1540 Executed: February 13, 1542
Catherine Howard was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard of Norfolk and first cousin to Anne Boleyn. She came into court when she was 19 years old, and was lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves. She married Henry VIII on July 28, 1540, two weeks after his marriage to Anne was annulled. Henry VIII was 49 years old and she was 19. His young wife had been accused of prior promiscuity was accused of adultery. At first Henry VIII did not believe that she had been unfaithful, but the evidence had proved otherwise.
“Catherine was beheaded on February 13, 1542 after being found guilty of adultery and treason. Her remains were buried in an unmarked grave at the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Married: July 28, 1540 Executed: February 13, 1542
Catherine Howard was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard of Norfolk and first cousin to Anne Boleyn. She came into court when she was 19 years old, and was lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves. She married Henry VIII on July 28, 1540, two weeks after his marriage to Anne was annulled. Henry VIII was 49 years old and she was 19. His young wife had been accused of prior promiscuity was accused of adultery. At first Henry VIII did not believe that she had been unfaithful, but the evidence had proved otherwise.
“Catherine was beheaded on February 13, 1542 after being found guilty of adultery and treason. Her remains were buried in an unmarked grave at the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London” (Royal Burial Sites, 2014).
Catherine Parr
Married: July 12, 1543 Widowed: January 28, 1547
Catherine Parr was born to Sir Thomas Parr and her mother Maud Green who was lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon. She was actually named after Catherine of Aragon, as her mother was in her service when she was born. Her mother was her educator and she was very well educated as well as had a deep desire to learn. By age 31 she had been widowed twice before. She had expressed an interest in marrying Thomas Seymour, Jane Seymour’s brother. However, she felt it was her duty and therefore married Henry VIII on July 12, 1543.
Henry VIII died January 28, 1547, Edward VI, son of Jane Seymour, became king at the age of nine.
Catherine married Thomas Seymour and kept guardianship of the children. At the age of 36, Catherine conceived, and on August 30, 1548 she gave birth to a daughter named Mary.
“Catherine Parr died on the 5th of September 1548 at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Her remains were buried in the chapel of the castle. Her tomb was repaired in 1817 after years of neglect” Royal Burial Site, 2014).
Married: July 12, 1543 Widowed: January 28, 1547
Catherine Parr was born to Sir Thomas Parr and her mother Maud Green who was lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon. She was actually named after Catherine of Aragon, as her mother was in her service when she was born. Her mother was her educator and she was very well educated as well as had a deep desire to learn. By age 31 she had been widowed twice before. She had expressed an interest in marrying Thomas Seymour, Jane Seymour’s brother. However, she felt it was her duty and therefore married Henry VIII on July 12, 1543.
Henry VIII died January 28, 1547, Edward VI, son of Jane Seymour, became king at the age of nine.
Catherine married Thomas Seymour and kept guardianship of the children. At the age of 36, Catherine conceived, and on August 30, 1548 she gave birth to a daughter named Mary.
“Catherine Parr died on the 5th of September 1548 at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Her remains were buried in the chapel of the castle. Her tomb was repaired in 1817 after years of neglect” Royal Burial Site, 2014).