The Tudor Dynasty: HVIII

I'm huge a Euopean history lover, especially English Tudor era. I'm focusing on the six wives of Henry Tudor and maybe some other relatives. I'll give a little background history on the portraits i get up here.

Portrait by Michael Sittow, 1502

Katherine of Aragon, is most commonly known as the first wife of Henry 8.However, many fail to realise she was married before to Henry's brother, Arthur Tudor.

Katherine was born Catalina, Infanta of Spain. She was precontracted to Arthur Tudor from she was three and given the title Princess of Wales. On Arthur's death, Catalina claimed her husband was 'unmanned' i.e. he was unable to have sex, therefore she was still a virgin. An incredible statement seing as though they were married a little under 200 days. Many historians suggest it was Catalina's way of securing herself for marriage to Henry. On Arthur's death, she became the Dowager Princess of Wales, a title that lacked power or political influence. For a girl groomed to be Infanta of mighty spain and princess of wales, 'dowager princess' would not cut it.

Catalina's efforts, however, had setbacks. Firstly, The King's (Henry 7) Mother, supposedly despided Catalina. Secondly, Henry 7 took an interest in a Catalina and wished to marry her. However, Catalina would be child bride for the aging King. Her children would be heirs after Henry 8 (now heir to english throne) and his children. She objected to the offer. She wanted young Henry 8. Any child she had with hm would be the direct heir to the English throne.

In the end, Catalina waited 7 years in extreme poverty and neglect to become Queen of England. Unfortunately, she bore only one living child, Mary Tudor, a.k.a. Bloody Mary. Her inability to give Henry a son iniated the drama of the Tudor monarchy (all you HBO Tudor fans), that eventually led to religious revolution in England.

Which years (time period ) were these?

The potrait was done in 1502. She was born 1485, so this done when she was around 17 years old.

ooo shanique...i'm so going to enjoy this, can't wait to see the rest..

Potrait by an unknown Artist, 1525.


Anne Boleyn (also Bullen or Boullant) was in my opinion, the least attractive of Henry's Queens. She was, as you most likely know, the second wife of Henry 8, the so called 'famous medieval homewrecker' who undeniably caused the upheval of the Tudor monarchy.
Anne's birth date is unclear, some argue 1507. She grew up at the French Court and returned to England to serve as a lady-in-waiting under then Queen Katherine. It was around the same time the portait was painted that she caught the eye of the King Henry 8. Their royal love affair was said to be passionate. Henry practically mauled her with love letters and gifts.

Despite the conventional stereotype of Anne as a homewrecker, Anne was actually a very accomplished woman. She is described as having a keen wit and was trilingual (She spoke English, French and Latin). Her allure lay in her charms and intellect.
In 1527, Henry requested from the Vatican an annulment of his marriage to Queen Katherine. But Henry faced a huge hurdle: Katherine's nephew, Charles V, had taken the then Pope Clement hostage in Rome. The Pope would not dare grant Henry an annulment.

By 1533, Henry was fed up with Vatican and its objections to his proposed annulment. He secretly married Anne and on June 1, 1533, without Papal consent Anne was publicly crowned Queen.

Artist, Unknown, Year Unknown.



Katherine (also Catherine or Kathryn) Howard was the Henry's 5th Wife. She was described as 'a sweet, kind-hearted rose'. What you might know, however, is that she was first cousin to Anne Boleyn. Queen Kathryn, like her cousin Queen Anne, would be another one of Henry the 8ths tragic marriages.

Run Down:

Kathryn's birth is disputed, but Tudor historians estimate 1521. She was first cousin to Anne Boleyn and is said to bear resemblance to her. In 1540, she was appointed maid-in-waiting for the new Queen Consort, Anna of Cleves. It was during this service that she met the King and charmed him with her sweetness.

Henry 8 by now was an aging, sickly King. Anna of Cleves, his wife of less than five months, was German native that was struggling to grasp English.
Henry apparently disliked his new wife from first sight, purportedly describing her as 'smelly and slack-bellied'. Whether or not this description was true, most likely not, King Henry was dissapointed in his latest marriage.

The Howards, after Anne Boleyn-a Howard girl- had fallen into disgrace. It is suggested that they sent Katherine to court in hopes that she would ensnare the unhappily married King. It worked.
The King just months after his marriage to Anne, started to openly court Katherine, sending her expensive furs and gifts. This seemed, for those, at court to be deja vu.

The King in July,1540 annulled his marriage to Anne of Cleves. Incredibly, Sixteen days later married Katherine Howard!

Katherine was a sweet Queen Consort, but a child nonetheless. She was involved in adulterous affairs with her two cousins, Francis Dereham-whom she had been pre-contracted before marrying the King-and Thomas Culpepper- Katherine's mother's nephew.

On February 13, 1542, Katherine was beheaded on the Tower Green, Tower of London. She had lasted just two years. She was buried beside her cousin Anne.

niqui wrote:Henry apparently disliked his new wife from first sight, purportedly describing her as 'smelly and slack-bellied'.

Where are you getting this information from? I'm seeing contradicting views on other web-pages?

hisotry channel and phillipa gregory. That was description was for Anne of Cleves, not Kathey Howard, if thats causing some mix up.

Just checking. That is indeed a huge clarification right there.