Henry VIII’s six wivesHenry VIII’s six wivesLesson objectivesLesson objectives

To locate and record relevant information To locate and record relevant information To learn the reasons Henry VIII married 6 To learn the reasons Henry VIII married 6 timestimesTo understand the Tudor view of womenTo understand the Tudor view of women

Henry VIIIHenry VIII

• Henry VIII came to the throne in 1509, before he was eighteen years old.

• He had originally been the second son in his family, and had been educated to become a churchman.

• He was better versed in academics and the arts than the average prince of his time. He was noted for his musicianship, learning, poetry and athletic prowess.

• He was considered extremely handsome, was over six feet tall and slender, and had golden hair.

Henry VIIIHenry VIII

Henry VIIIHenry VIII When Henry came to the throne, he was the possessor

of one of the largest fortunes in Europe, accumulated by his father, Henry VII.

He was far more interested in renovating the court and surrounding himself with scholars and artists, leaving much of the governing of England to Thomas Wolsey.

He married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon after his father's death, and before he was crowned. It is notable that he had no material reason to marry Catherine.

She lived in poverty at Henry 's court, and was in the process of returning to Spain when Henry VII died and the new king, Henry VIII, took her as his bride.

Catherine of Aragon – wife number 1Catherine of Aragon – wife number 1 Catherine was the youngest daughter of Catherine was the youngest daughter of

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. She was Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. She was married to Henry’s brother Arthur but he died married to Henry’s brother Arthur but he died in 1501. in 1501.

Catherine married Henry in 1509 but only Catherine married Henry in 1509 but only one child, a girl, Mary, survived.one child, a girl, Mary, survived.

Henry believed that he did not have a male Henry believed that he did not have a male heir because he had married his brother’s heir because he had married his brother’s wife. He had found a passage in the Bible to wife. He had found a passage in the Bible to back his belief. back his belief.

Henry had also fallen in love with Anne Henry had also fallen in love with Anne Boleyn. Boleyn.

Catherine refused to give Henry a divorce, so Catherine refused to give Henry a divorce, so he began the Reformation in England. This he began the Reformation in England. This meant he could divorce Catherine in 1533. meant he could divorce Catherine in 1533.

She died three years later.She died three years later.

Anne Boleyn – wife number 2Anne Boleyn – wife number 2

Anne Boleyn was born in 1501. At the Anne Boleyn was born in 1501. At the age of fourteen she was sent to the age of fourteen she was sent to the French Court.French Court.

When she returned to England she When she returned to England she caught the King’s attention. Henry caught the King’s attention. Henry married Anne in 1533 after she married Anne in 1533 after she became pregnant. became pregnant.

Henry was annoyed when she gave Henry was annoyed when she gave birth to Elizabeth in September 1533. birth to Elizabeth in September 1533. Anne became pregnant twice more but Anne became pregnant twice more but the babies were born dead. the babies were born dead.

She was charged and found guilty of She was charged and found guilty of adultery in 1536 and beheaded the adultery in 1536 and beheaded the same year.same year.

Jane Seymour – wife number 3Jane Seymour – wife number 3

Jane Seymour was a quiet shy Jane Seymour was a quiet shy girl who Henry married just 11 girl who Henry married just 11 days after the death of Anne days after the death of Anne Boleyn. Boleyn.

He was 45 years old, Jane was He was 45 years old, Jane was 28. Henry was delighted when 28. Henry was delighted when she gave birth to a son, Edward, she gave birth to a son, Edward, in October 1538. in October 1538. 

Henry was very upset when Jane Henry was very upset when Jane died a month later. On his died a month later. On his deathbed, Henry requested to be deathbed, Henry requested to be buried next to Jane.   buried next to Jane.  

What can you re-What can you re-call?call?

What was Henrys first wife What was Henrys first wife called?called?

Who did he love the most?Who did he love the most?

Is that fact or opinion?Is that fact or opinion?

Who gave birth to Elizabeth?Who gave birth to Elizabeth?

Henry VIII Henry VIII wiveswives1540-15471540-1547

Anne of Cleves – wife number 4Anne of Cleves – wife number 4 Anne was the 24 year old Anne was the 24 year old

daughter of the Duke of daughter of the Duke of Cleves. Cleves.

Henry agreed to marry Henry agreed to marry her having only seen her her having only seen her painting. When he saw painting. When he saw her face to face he was her face to face he was horrified and tried to find horrified and tried to find a way out of the marriage a way out of the marriage but could not. but could not.

He married Anne in 1540 He married Anne in 1540 and divorced her the and divorced her the same year. same year.

Kathryn Howard – wife number 5Kathryn Howard – wife number 5

Henry married 15 year old Henry married 15 year old Kathryn in 1540, he was Kathryn in 1540, he was 49. 49.

Kathryn found life with Kathryn found life with Henry boring and had Henry boring and had many younger friends. many younger friends.

Kathryn's actions led to her Kathryn's actions led to her being accused of adultery being accused of adultery and subsequently executed and subsequently executed in 1542. in 1542.

Katherine Parr – wife number 6Katherine Parr – wife number 6 Henry married twice widowed Henry married twice widowed

Katherine Parr in 1543. She Katherine Parr in 1543. She was a good stepmother to the was a good stepmother to the King's three children.King's three children.

She was also an excellent She was also an excellent nursemaid and looked after nursemaid and looked after Henry when he was sick. Henry when he was sick. 

After Henry's death she After Henry's death she married Edward's uncle, married Edward's uncle, Thomas Seymour. Thomas Seymour.

Katherine Parr died in Katherine Parr died in childbirth in 1548.   childbirth in 1548.  

Activity copy and complete the Activity copy and complete the table for Henry’s wivestable for Henry’s wives

NameName Reason for Reason for marriagemarriage

Children Children Fate Fate

Catherine Catherine of Aragonof Aragon

Good Good relations relations with Spainwith Spain

MaryMary Divorced Divorced

What can you re-What can you re-call?call?

What was Henrys fourth wife called?What was Henrys fourth wife called?Which cousins were both married to Which cousins were both married to Henry and both sentenced to death?Henry and both sentenced to death?

Who was Thomas Seymour?Who was Thomas Seymour?Which is your favourite wife?Which is your favourite wife?