Henry's six wives

Who was Henry VIII?

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Henry VIII is one of the most famous kings in English history. He was the second Tudor monarch and was well-known for having six wives. His break with the papacy in Rome established the Church of England and began the Reformation.

Catherine of Aragon

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Demoted for bearing no son

Anne Boleyn (c. 1501-1536):

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The Union That Sparked Reformation. Desperate to end the relationship, Henry accused her of adultery and treason and had the marriage annulled. She was beheaded.

Jane Seymour (1508-1537)

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Jane gave birth to Edward VI and died from complications of the birth several weeks later. At the wishes of the king, Jane is buried at St. John’s Chapel alongside him.

Anne of Cleves ( German wife 1515-1557)

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Henry requested women’s portraits before marriage and found Anne to be a pretty womn. When Anne arrived in England on January 1, 1540, Henry was shocked that she looked nothing like the painting. He tried to halt the wedding, but because the arrangement had progressed so far, they married on January 6, 1540. Anne, the so-called “ugly wife,” accepted a divorce and generous settlement six months later and lived in peace as the “King’s Sister” until her death in July 1557.

Catherine Howard (1523-1542)

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Henry showered Catherine with gifts and called her his “rose without a thorn.” But less than a year into their marriage, rumors of infidelity surfaced. With enough evidence that she had been at least promiscuous, Catherine was executed for adultery and treason at the Tower Green on February 13, 1542.

Catherine Parr (1512-1548)

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Henry married his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, in July 1543. A spirited and educated widow, when Catherine showed an interest in Protestantism, Henry had her arrested. She managed to avoid the fate of her predecessors, bringing stability and peace to the court, while serving as a kind and caring stepmother to Henry’s children. She outlived the king.