How did each of Henry VIII's marriages end?

Answer 1

Answer

Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon was divorced - strictly speaking the marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity - she had previously been married to Henry's brother.

His second wife, Anne Boleyn was tried, convicted and executed for treason, witchcraft and incest. She was probably innocent.

The third wife, Jane Seymour, died after giving birth to Henry's only legitimate son, Edward.

The fourth wife, Ann of Cleves, was an arranged marriage aimed at strengthening England's alliance with Germany. When Henry met her, he found her unattractive but married her anyway. Their marriage was disolved on the grounds that she was betrothed to another European nobleman. She was given the title "The King's Sister", the house where Anne Boleyn's family had lived and she outlived Henry and all of his other wives.

The fifth wife, Catherine Howard was tried convicted and beheaded for treason. The treason was having affairs with other men and she was almost certainly guilty.

Henry's sixth and last wife was Catherine Parr, who had been married twice before. When Henry died she married Thomas Seymour, the brother of Henry's third wife, and she died of complications of childbirth about a year later.

AnswerKing Henry VIII of England reigned from 21st April 1509 until his death on 28th January 1547.

He famously married six times - he did this to try and ensure that there was an undisputed, male heir to the throne, avoiding the possibility of a Civil War after his death.

His second wife, Anne Boleyn, was executed by beheading on 19th May 1536, having been convicted by a court of Treason, Witchcraft and Incest. She was almost certainly innocent of these charges, which were brought against her by enemies at court and those who wished to ingratiate themselves with the King by enabling him to re-marry.

His fifth wife, Katherine Howard, was executed by beheading on 13th February 1542 having been convicted by a court of treason. Her "treason" was having affairs with other men while she was married to the King, which she almost certainly did.

The link below gives more information about these, and King Henry's other wives.

Answer

King Henry VIII of England famously married six times. He did this because he wanted to avoid the possibilty of a civil war after his death by leaving an undisputed male heir to the throne.

His first wife, Catherine of Aragon, had been married to Henry's brother who had died age 16. Henry divorced Catherine (more accurately the marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity - he shouldn't have married his brother's widow.) Catherine gave birth to a girl, who later became Queen Mary I.

His second wife was Anne Boleyn, who was also unable to produce a male heir, but was the mother of the future Queen Elizabeth I. In what were almost certainly trumped up charges, she was tried, convicted and executed by beheading for treason, witchcraft and incest.

Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to his only legitimate son who later became King Edward VI. She died a few days later of complications of childbirth.

Henry next married Anne of Cleves, from what we now call Germany. It was an arranged marriage aimed at both producing more male children and improving England's allianxce with Germany. Despite seeing a flattering portrait and hearing favourable reports about her, King Henry found her deeply unattractive when they met. Their marriage was soon annulled on the grounds that she had previously contracted to marry another European nobleman. Anne was treated well, being given the title "The King's Sister" and the house which been the family home of the Boleyn family. She remained in England and outlived Henry and all his other wives.

His fifth wife was Catherine Howard, her birth date is not known exactly but she was either a teenager or barely out of her teens when she married the King. She had several affairs before and after her marriage to the King. It was determined that her adultery was treason and she was tried, convicted and executed by beheading.

Henry's sixth wife was Catherine Parr, who was probably more of a nursemaid than a wife. When Henry died she married Thomas Seymour, a of brother Henry's third wife, Jane. She died of complications of childbirth about a year later.

AnswerThere is a mnemonic to help you remember:

Divorced, Beheaded, Died;

*Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.

The divorced wives died of natural causes, as did Wife Three. Now you'll never forget.

The wives were:

Catherine of Aragon

Ann Boleyn

Jane Seymour [died from complications following childbirth]

*Ann of Cleves [annulled, really]

Catherine Howard

Catherine Parr

2 were beheaded 2 were divorced 1 died and 1 survived because Henry viii died before catherine parr (6th wife) died!

Answer 2

Divorced Catherine of Aragon

Beheaded Anne Boleyn

Died Jane Seymour

Divorced Anne of Cleves

Beheaded Catherine Howard

Survived Catherine Parr

This is just an easy way to remember it. To be more accurate Henry had his marriage annulled to Anne of Cleves (so not technically a divorce). Catherine Parr only survived during her marriage to Henry while he was alive. She died a year after.