Henry VIII's Wives

Whether historians put this remarkable feat down to Henry's need for political alliances, his ruthless desire for a son, his falling in love, or his lust for influence, power and money (or all of the above), the fact remains that Henry's love life is one of the most fascinating stories in English history.

Click on the Queens' faces to see large pictures of the women in Henry's life.

Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536: married 1509-1533)

Henry's first wife was Catherine of Aragon. After the death of Arthur, her first husband (and Henry's brother), a papal dispensation allowed Catherine to marry Henry. The marriage took place after Henry became King in 1509. 

Catherine bore him a daughter (who became Mary I), but no sons survived past infancy: they were miscarriages and stillborn.

Anne Boleyn (1507-1536: married 1533-1536)

Henry began an affair with Anne Boleyn, while asking the Pope for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine. The Pope refused, but Henry separated from Catherine in 1533 anyway. Henry ordered Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to rule the marriage null and void. In May 1533, he pronounced the King legally married to Anne Boleyn. This led to the break from the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England.

Anne was crowned Queen Consort of England in June 1533. Later that year, Anne gave birth to a baby girl, Elizabeth. When Anne failed to produce a male heir (her only son was stillborn), the King grew tired of her and a plot was hatched to get rid of her.

Although the evidence against Anne was unconvincing, she was beheaded for adultery, incest, and high treason in 1536. Later, when her daughter Elizabeth was queen, Anne was venerated as a martyr of the English reformation. Anne has been called "the most influential and important Queen Consort England has ever had."

Jane Seymour (1508-1537: married 1536-7)

Jane Seymour was Henry's third wife. Henry first noticed Jane while she was working as one of Anne Boleyn's ladies-in-waiting. It's believed Jane is one of the reasons Henry disposed of Anne. 

After their marriage in 1536, Jane gave Henry his only male heir (Edward VI, born 1537) but died of puerperal fever shortly after the birth.

Anne of Cleves (1515-1557: married 1540)

Henry's marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, lasted only six months; from January to July 1540. Anne of Cleves has become known as "The Flanders Mare". Henry thought he'd been misled by tales of her beauty and flattering portraits. Anne agreed to a marriage annulment on the grounds that she had been promised to another man, and was given a generous settlement, including Richmond Palace. 

Once her marriage to Henry was over, Anne fared better. She was referred to as "the King's Beloved Sister", and became a friend to Henry and his children. Anne eventually outlived both the king and his last two wives.

Catherine Howard (1521-1542: married 1540-1542)

Catherine Howard was Henry's fifth wife; this marriage lasted less than two years. Catherine was deprived of the title of Queen after Henry heard about her alleged adultery in 1541. 

She was beheaded at the Tower of London, aged about 21 (at this time, Henry was in his 50s). She was buried next to her cousin, Anne Boleyn. Catherine's ghost is said to have haunted Henry for years after her death.

Catherine Parr (1512-1548: married 1543-1547)

Catherine Parr was the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII. Catherine has a special place in history as the most married Queen of England, having had four husbands in all; Henry was her third. 

After Henry's death, she married again: Thomas Seymour, uncle of Edward V, became her fourth husband.