The Six Wives of Henry VIIIThe tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time. |
Contents
Chronology | 11 |
Katherine of Aragon | 13 |
Mistress Anne | 143 |
Copyright | |
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Admiral ambassador Anne Askew Anne Boleyn Anne of Cleves Anne's annulment Archbishop asked betrothal birth Bishop bride brother Cardinal Castle Chapuys Charles child Church cloth courtiers Cranmer Cromwell daughter death declared Dereham Duchess Duke Duke of Cleves Earl Edward Elizabeth Emperor English father favour fear Ferdinand France French gold Grace Greenwich Hall Hampton Court heir Henry VIII Henry's honour household husband Isabella Jane Seymour Jane's John Katherine Howard Katherine of Aragon Katherine Parr Katherine's King and Queen King's knew Lady Mary Lady Rochford later letter London Lord Margaret Maria de Salinas Marillac marriage married Mary's matter mistress mother never Norfolk once Palace Pope portrait Prince Princess Privy Council Queen Katherine Queen of England realised Rome royal rumours saying sent servants Sir Thomas sister Spain Spanish Calendar Suffolk thought told took Tower Tudor VIII's Westminster wife William Wolsey woman Wriothesley wrote Wyatt young