Overview
This lecture covers King Henry VIII’s six wives, summarizing each marriage, notable events, and the fate of each queen, as well as key details about Henry VIII himself.
Katherine of Aragon
- Henry’s first wife, married in 1509 and divorced in 1533.
- Only surviving child was Mary, later Queen Mary I.
- Had several children, but most did not survive infancy.
Anne Boleyn
- Henry’s second wife, married in 1533 and executed in 1536.
- Mother of Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth I.
- Accused of plots and executed at the Tower of London for failing to produce a male heir.
Jane Seymour
- Henry’s third wife, married in 1536 shortly after Anne Boleyn’s execution.
- Gave birth to Edward, later Edward VI.
- Died at Hampton Court two weeks after childbirth in 1537.
Anne of Cleves
- Henry’s fourth wife, married and divorced in 1540.
- Marriage was a political alliance with a German princess.
- Known as the King’s sister after divorce; became popular at court and lived in England until her death.
Catherine Howard
- Henry’s fifth wife, married in 1540 soon after his divorce from Anne of Cleves.
- Only a teenager at marriage; accused of adultery.
- Executed at the Tower of London in 1542.
Kateryn Parr
- Henry’s sixth wife, married in 1543.
- Twice widowed before marrying Henry; had no children.
- Outlived Henry, remarried after his death, and died in 1548.
Henry VIII
- Born 1491, died 1547; son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
- Married six times with all wives staying at Hampton Court at some point.
- Two wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were executed.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Lady-in-waiting — A female personal assistant at court, serving a queen or princess.
- Divorce — The legal dissolution of a marriage.
- Political alliance — A marriage made for political or diplomatic reasons rather than personal ones.
- Executed — Put to death, often by order of a monarch or court.
- Hampton Court Palace — A royal palace often used by Henry VIII and his wives.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review family tree of Henry VIII and his wives.
- Memorize key facts about each wife’s marriage, children, and fate.