How many wives did Henry VIII have?
Henry divorced two of his wives (Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves), he had two of his wives executed (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) and one of his wives (Jane Seymour) died shortly after childbirth. His last wife (Catherine Parr) outlived him. The main reason behind Henry VIIs first two divorces was that the marriages did not yield a male heir. The other marriages were ended due to a mixture of personal problems between the king and the wives and deaths of the wives. The sixth and final marriage was ended only by the king’s death.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
33 Comments
Denna Stapleton
I believe the marriage to Anne Cleves was annulled, since it was never consummated. She did not object and she became known as the "King's Sister" with a generous property settlement and annual allowance. She did not return to Germany and never married again. I think she faired better than most of his wives.
Albeck1994
DONNA, he didn't remarry anyone
Cooper Bonnie
Since Henry was excommunicated from the Catholic Church for wanting to divorce First wife Catherine-- who was his brother's widow-- Henry created the Church of England w/ himself as leader. It was almost identical to the Catholic Church but Divorce was allowed in the Church of England. It also made him a Protestant as well so all of his marriages were considered legal. So he had six wives according to the Church of England , which still exists. Queen Elzabeth I was Anne Bolyn's daughter and became Queen when Queen Mary, the daughter of Henry and first Catherine, died. Mary was Catholic like her Mother. Elizabeth was Protestant like her mother and Henry. Elizabeth ordered to stop the persecution of Catholics and Protestants, and pretty much said let each pray in their own fashion.
Annette Williams
Sorry but the name Catherine was not spelt like that for the queen
Val Wilkinson
Thomas Mark Proudlock, you must be easily confused
Thomas Gardiner
Legally they might say three because of the annulments but everyone always says six
Christopher Neal Wigley
Anyone ever see the movie; Anne of the 1000 Days? Wonderful historical drama.
Joe Mangan
Irma Rivera, is that a biblical sanction?
Joe Mangan
Denna Stapleton, Anne of Cleves was smarter than many give her credit for. Whether her marriage was consummated is a matter of controversy.
Jeff Southard
Incorrect -- since divorce was not permitted, Henry had to come up with all sorts of alternatives -- annulments and treason trials that led to executions taking care of 4 wives.
Brian Taylor
Vlll not Vll
silrem
DIV BEH DIE DIV BEH SUR!
lmjmom
Got it.
vinnie
Trixie Pettman-South, sounds like an awesome piece of art!
Thomas Proudlock
Your supposed to have the number 8 in there to confuse people
Marcella Kosse
Got it.
ninakamwene
I knew about this horrible man. At least he fathered Queen Elizabeth the 1st.
Jude P
He went through 6 wedding ceremonies but how many wives he had is a complicated issue. He did not consummate his marriage to Anne of Cleves therefore she was not a wife. Anne Boleyn was pre-contracted to Henry Percy, and therefore her marriage to Henry may have been unlawful. Catherine Howard was likewise pre-contracted to Francis Dereham and that relationship was consummated - a legal marriage according to the times in which she lived. The question of Katherine of Aragon is complicated. However it seems likely that his third and sixth marriages were legal.