Holiday Ayo - Various things colored the relationship between King Henri VIII and his wives.

source: National Geographic Kids

Maybe that's a saying that describes how between he and his wife. Who are his wives? The following will introduce a few of his wives.

1. Catherine of Aragon

source: Royal Armouries

In June 1509, Henry married Catherine of Aragon immediately after his accession. Catherine was the widow of Henry's brother. His second marriage was done to strengthen the relationship between England and Spain. Catherine was the daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon who was born on December 16, 1485.

Catherine's wedding plans with Prince Arthur were arranged in 1485 and officially united in November 1501. However, their marriage did not go well, until finally Catherine married Henry VIII in 1509. Six children were born to their marriage, but only one survived, namely Mary I of England. Henry VIII, who really wanted a male heir from Catherine, did not get him, so he tried to annul their marriage.

Divorce between them was very difficult because the Pope did not grant concessions such as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's request for permission to divorce. Until finally, thanks to Cromwell's intervention, Henry VIII was able to divorce Catherine after being married for more than twenty years.

2. Anne Boleyn

source: Wikipedia

Anne Boleyn was born in 1501. She was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire. Cardinal Wolsey refused to marry Anne and the 5th Earl even though they were engaged. Henry VIII was struck by Anne's 'beauty and charm' in 1526, (Pettinger 2017).

The girl repeatedly refused Henry VII's advances, because she did not want to be a mistress. He finally said that he would give up on his love if Henry had ended his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Anne got sick and almost died in 1528. Until finally on January 25, 1533, Henry VIII and Anne married, and six months later, Anne was crowned queen of England.

That same year she gave birth to Elizabeth I in September. Subsequent pregnancies miscarried. The affair between the two made things worse, not only because Anne could not give birth to a male heir, but also because Anne disagreed with the religious reforms carried out by the King (Pettinger 2017).

Anne was executed despite not being charged with the highest treason on charges of adultery, incest, and plotting to kill the king and was arrested in 1536 (Pettinger 2017).

3. Jane Seymour

source: ThoughtCo

Jane Seymour was born around 1504-1509. Jane was known for her quiet and soot demeanor, Henry was captivated by her in 1536. Henry gave her expensive gifts in 1536, and finally they married on May 30, 1536. What the king wanted to get a male heir Jane gave birth to, namely Edward. The birth of his son is celebrated across England. However, Jane could not live long. According to some historians, he died of puerperal sepsis.

4. Anne of Cleves

source: Wikipedia

The king wore black until 1538 after the premature death of Jane Seymour. He also did not marry for two years. He earned a bad reputation among European women as one of the reasons he did not marry. Hence, he gave a mission to his closest advisers to travel to Europe to get a new consort for him.

Finally, Anne of Cleves was suggested by Thomas Cromwell that Anne was German and fully supported Protestantism. According to Cromwell, the union of the two would strengthen reforms in England.

Accordingly, the two were legally married on 6 January 1540. However, Henry stated that he could not enjoy the marriage because he did not find it attractive. He felt contempt for Anne, and was unable to fulfill his marital duties.

5. Katherine Howard

source: HistoryExtra

Katherine Howard is perhaps one of the most controversial wives of Henry VIII. He is known to have had many love affairs. Henry VIII married Katherine Howard on 28 July 1540 the same day Thomas Cromwell was executed. Katherine Howard is a beautiful and very young woman.

She officially became queen on August 8. Henry knows little of Howard's past. Like when Howard was living at his grandmother's residence in Tilney, she had romantic relationships with her music teacher, Henry Manox and later with Francis Dereham.

In addition, she entertained her liaison with one of her husband's favorites, Thomas Culpeper, and took to court former lovers Manox and Dereham. On November 2, 1541, Katherine's reckless behavior was denounced by Archbishop Cranmer to Henry VIII.

Heavy charges were brought against her: in fact, she was accused of (me) being 'disrespectful' before marriage; (II) 'concealing' sexual relations before marriage (considered treason); (III) and engaging in adulterous behavior (also considered treason) and Howard was not forgiven by the king (Lewis 2019). Therefore, Howard was deprived of the title of queen on November 23, 1541.

Culpeper and Dereham did not have a happy ending, and on December 10 of the same year, they were executed: their heads were exposed on London Bridge. On January 21, 1542, Katherine Howard was executed for treason. Therefore, on February 10, he was taken to the Tower of London, and three days later, he was beheaded and buried in the chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula.

 6. Catherine Parr

source: Wikipedia

Catherine was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr (who was a descendant of Edward III), and Maud Green, born in 1512. Catherine was married four times during her lifetime. She became Henry VIII's last wife on July 12, 1543. They held a small ceremonial ceremony at Hampton Court Palace' (Ridgway no date).

Under Catherine Parr's Influence, Henry VIII 'passed an act' giving his daughter the right of succession to the English throne. However, because of this action, Catherine was arrested because the reformers succeeded in turning the king against his wife. Quick-thinking Catherine Catherine Parr managed to save her head by begging Henry.

Apart from that he also persuaded her that he was only arguing with her in an attempt to help her forget the pain her leg ulcer was causing her' (Ridgway no date). Until finally the king died in 1547. Furthermore, Catherine Parr married her former lover, Thomas Seymour.