Henry viii had six wives the fates of whom lead to the creation of the rhyme divorced beheaded died divorced beheaded survived

Henry VIII and His Six Wives: The Origins of “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived”

Henry VIII, the notorious Tudor monarch of England, is often remembered for his six marriages and the dramatic events that unfolded as a result. Each union had its own unique story and ultimately led to the creation of the popular rhyme “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.” This iconic phrase encapsulates the fates of Henry’s wives and provides a snapshot of their lives during a tumultuous period in English history.

Henry married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in 1509. She was the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain and had previously been married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur. Despite their initial happiness, their marriage became strained when Catherine failed to produce a male heir. This led Henry to seek an annulment, which sparked a bitter battle with the Catholic Church. After several years of political and religious turmoil, the marriage was eventually annulled in 1533.

The second wife of Henry VIII was the infamous Anne Boleyn. She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine and caught Henry’s eye with her charm and intelligence. Anne’s marriage to Henry was marked by scandal and controversy, as she was accused of adultery and treason. In 1536, Anne was executed on charges of incest and adultery, leaving Henry a widower once again.

Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour, brought him a much-desired male heir, Edward. However, Jane tragically died shortly after childbirth in 1537. Despite their brief union, Henry mourned Jane’s death deeply and she is often regarded as the only wife he truly loved.

Next in line was Anne of Cleves, whom Henry married in 1540. The marriage was arranged for political reasons, but Henry found her appearance disappointing upon meeting her in person. The union was short-lived, and they divorced after just six months. Interestingly, Anne of Cleves managed to outlive all of Henry’s wives and even maintained a close relationship with him after their annulment.

For his fifth wife, Henry chose the young and ambitious Catherine Howard. Their marriage was rocked by scandal when it was revealed that Catherine had engaged in illicit affairs before and after her marriage to the king. In 1542, Catherine was executed for adultery, marking another tragic end to a marriage for Henry.

The final wife of Henry VIII was Catherine Parr. She was a kind and caring presence in Henry’s life during his later years. Catherine brought a sense of stability to the aging king, acting as a loving stepmother to Henry’s three children, including his heir, Edward. Catherine survived Henry, as well as her own close call with arrest and execution for her Protestant beliefs.

The six wives of Henry VIII experienced a range of fates, from the joy of love and motherhood to the despair of betrayal and execution. Their stories continue to captivate historians and individuals worldwide, as they provide a glimpse into the complex and tumultuous life of one of England’s most infamous monarchs.

Source: Historic UK