365 Days of Facts

Today in 1540 Anne of Cleves marries Henry VIII.

King Henry VIII chose Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife, from her portrait. He was disappointed the real woman did not match the filters of the Hans Holbein the Younger’s day.

Anne of Cleves was 24 when she was to wed the 48 year old English ruler.

Anne of Cleves Marries…or not

An alliance with the House of Cleves was a move intended to bring Henry to the center of European political power.

By the time Anne arrived in England the original political reason for the marriage barely existed. Additionally, there was an immediate absence of chemistry between th newlyweds – Anne and Henry were also separated by language, culture and personality. They had never met before their betrothal. Anne was an original mail order bride.

Despite Thomas Cromwell trying to find ways for Henry to send Anne back, the marriage proceeded, but the wedding night was a disaster.

Anne’s innocence and Henry’s impatience, combined with his apparently intermittent impotence, meant their marriage was never consummated.

Henry persisted for four nights before blaming Anne’s unattractive physical appearance for his failure to ‘do his duty’. The marriage was annulled after six months on 9 July 1540.

Following the annulment, King Henry gave her a settlement of £4000 annually and was known as the King’s Beloved Sister.She lived to see the coronation of Queen Mary I, outliving the rest of Henry’s wives, in Sussex.