Henry 8^th was born in 1491 to his father and mother, King Henry 7^th and Elizabeth of York. Henry’s older brother Arthur was married to a Lady called Katherine of Aragon, but he died before he had chance to become king. When Henry 7^th died, then his second son Henry became the new King.

Henry 8^th was crowned on the 24^th June 1509.

Wife N0 1

It was customary in those days to marry the widow of an older brother, so Henry in respecting this, married his late brother Arthur’s wife. Katherine of Aragon became Henry 8th’s first wife. Katherine was a Spanish princess. Henry and Katherine had many children but only one survived, a little girl called Mary. Katherine was getting to old to have any more children so Henry divorced her so he could marry someone younger and have the boy he wanted to succeed him.

Wife N0 2

After Katherine Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn. They got married in 1533 and also had a number of children again only one survived, Elizabeth. Henry badly wanted a boy and after quarrelling Henry had Anne sent to the Tower where she was beheaded. This allowed him to marry again, may be a boy would be born to another wife.

Wife N0 3

It is said that Jane was the only wife that Henry really loved, but their marriage was diastoursly cut short due to Jane dying through child birth. Jane however did give Henry the boy he so badly wanted, Edward.

Henry had not been married for a number of years and was enjoying life with his son. His two daughters were kept away from him in royal palaces elsewhere. He was sent a royal portrait of a young princess which potrayed a beautiful young woman. Henry immediately sent for her and when she arrived they were married. The portrait however was very different to the real girl and Henry had the marriage divorced because she wasn’t up to standard.

Wife N0 5

Katherine was a lady at court who caught Henry’s attention. They were married for less than two years. The reason for her execution is her apparent affairs with other men at court. Henry had her beheaded.

Wife N0 6

Not a lot is known about this final marriage. Henry always wanted more boys to succeed him. All his wives had had children, but due to the medical knowledge of the times and hygiene not all children survived. Catherine bore no children that survived and both her and Henry were getting old. Henry died leaving Catherine, a Kings widow. Catherine then disappeared into the background of court life.