We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Were All of Henry VIII’s Marriages Short-Lived?

By Kevin Hellyer
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,251
References
Share

King Henry VIII of England was notorious for his obsession with producing a male heir to succeed him. And even when he did – third wife Jane Seymour gave birth to Prince Edward in 1537 – Henry continued to be unlucky in love. Interestingly, although Henry VIII is famous for his six wives, less well known is the fact that the king’s marriage to his first wife, the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, lasted the longest – much longer than his other five marriages put together.

Catherine and Henry's marriage resulted in one surviving daughter, Mary, over the course of nearly 25 years together. Although much of their marriage was reportedly happy, after a number of miscarriages and stillbirths, and without a male heir, the determined Henry divorced Catherine, despite it being forbidden by the Catholic Church, in 1533.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived:

  • The Pope's refusal to grant Henry an annulment to end his marriage to Catherine led him to break away from Rome and create the Church of England.

  • Henry VIII was married six times between 1509 and his death in 1547. After Catherine, Henry married Anne Boleyn (who was executed for adultery), followed by Lady Jane Seymour (who died during childbirth), Anne of Cleves (annulled), Catherine Howard (also executed), and Catherine Parr (who survived him).

  • Catherine of Aragon had previously been wed to Henry’s older brother, Prince Arthur, who died after an illness at age 15, just five months into the marriage.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/were-all-of-henry-viiis-marriages-short-lived.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.