King Henry VIII was famously married six times, two of his wives were executed, two divorced, and one died, but did you know that his shortest marriage was to Anne of Cleves, lasting only 6 months and 3 days?
Despite his numerous marriages, King Henry VIII was a complex figure with many contradictions. He founded the Anglican Church and broke away from the Catholic Church, yet he was also a devout Christian who had two wives executed.
Here are 30 interesting facts about this historically important figure:
If you want to remember what happened to each of Henry’s wives, there is a mnemonic device for that.
King Henry VIII,
To six wives he was wedded.
One died, one survived,
Two divorced, two beheaded.
Henry VIII referred to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as ‘A Flanders Mare’, which was definitely not a compliment. Anne of Cleves was also his shortest marriage, lasting only 6 months and 3 days before it was annulled.
On the other hand, his longest marriage was to Catherine of Aragon, lasting almost 24 years, which is longer than all five of his other marriages combined.
Two of his wives, Kathryn Howard and Anne Boleyn, were executed for adultery. Anne Boleyn was also accused of incest and plotting to murder the King, along with five men who were executed for treasonous adultery and having a sexual relationship with the Queen. The evidence for all of this wasn’t great, and we still don’t know for sure if they were guilty or if the charges were false.
By the age of three, Henry VIII had held multiple titles, including Constable of Dover Castle, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Earl Marshal of England, and Warden of the Scottish Marches. However, he couldn’t fulfill these roles, as they were merely appointed to him by his father to wrest control away from relatives.
Henry VIII may have written a theological treatise called Defense of the Seven Sacraments, which was a reply to Martin Luther’s criticism of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo X declared Henry the Defender of the Faith in 1521 for his work.
Henry VIII authorized the Great Bible, the first authorized edition of the Bible in English, to be read aloud in church. It was completed in 1539 and went through revisions between 1540 and 1541.
Henry was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1538, which meant he was not allowed to receive communion or participate in the Church.
Finally, Henry hung an astonishing 2000 tapestries in his palaces, while James V of Scotland only hung 200 in his.
Henry VIII was a multifaceted man who excelled in hunting, jousting, and playing the lute. He was also a talented linguist, able to read and write in three languages: English, French, and Latin. Additionally, Henry was skilled at sight-reading music. As king of England, he introduced a tax on beards, which varied based on the wearer’s social status. Henry became king at a young age of 17 and was known for his musical compositions, including “Pastime With Good Company,” “En vray amoure,” and “Helas Madam.” He also improved the navy, invested in large cannons, and created a permanent navy. Henry’s collection of weapons included 6,500 handguns, and he slept with a gigantic ax beside him. One of his wives, Anne Boleyn, is rumored to have had an extra finger on her right hand, but this is unlikely. Henry VIII founded the Anglican Church after breaking away from the Catholic Church, mainly because the Pope refused to grant him an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Late in his life, Henry became obese after a jousting accident worsened a previous injury. His courtiers wore heavily padded clothing to emulate his weight gain, and his waist size was 54 inches. Henry passed away at age 55, and his last words were supposedly “Monks! Monks! Monks!” in reference to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It’s a common misconception that Henry wrote “Greensleeves.” He enjoyed gambling and playing dice.
FAQ
What was King Henry VIII known for?
King Henry VIII was known for his six marriages, his role in the English Reformation, and his tendency to behead those who opposed him. He is also remembered for his extravagant lifestyle, love of hunting, and his contribution to the development of the Royal Navy.
Did King Henry VIII have any children?
Yes, King Henry VIII had three children who survived infancy. His first child, Mary, was born to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. His second child, Elizabeth, was born to his second wife, Anne Boleyn. His third child, Edward, was born to his third wife, Jane Seymour.
Why did King Henry VIII have so many wives?
King Henry VIII had a desire for a male heir to secure the Tudor dynasty. When his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, failed to produce a son, he sought an annulment from the Pope. When this was refused, he broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England, allowing him to divorce and remarry.
What happened to King Henry VIII’s wives?
King Henry VIII’s wives had various fates. Catherine of Aragon was divorced and lived out her days in relative obscurity. Anne Boleyn was executed on charges of adultery and treason. Jane Seymour died shortly after giving birth to King Henry’s only son. Anne of Cleves was divorced and lived a comfortable life in England. Catherine Howard was also executed for adultery. Catherine Parr was the only wife to outlive King Henry VIII and went on to marry again after his death.
Zayn Anderson is a prolific writer with a passion for uncovering the world’s intriguing facts. Armed with an insatiable curiosity, he delves into various subjects, from history and science to nature and technology.