Introduction Arguably the most infamous monarch in British history, Henry VIII impacted the world and changed England through his marriages. However, the six women themselves are far more than just the ill-fated wives of a monarch desperate for a male heir. These six women are from different backgrounds; from a Princess of Spain to a daughter of an English noble. Something all six women have in common is their marriage to Henry VIII. Henry VIII was the second king of the Tudor Dynasty of England. He ruled from 1509 until his death in 1547 (Staff) . His desire to produce a male heir to continue the Tudor Dynasty consumed him. He went to desperate measures to obtain a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. He went so far as to name
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Previously a lady in waiting to Anne, Jane Seymour captured the attention of the king. An interesting fact about Jane Seymour that separates her from Henry’s previous wives is pointed out by Eakins, “Jane never had a coronation” (Eakins) . Jane Seymour was never crowned as Queen of England. Furthermore, Jane was the only wife who fulfilled her duty by providing the king with a son and male heir; the one desire that drove him to divorce Catherine and break away from the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, Jane died not long after childbirth and she remains the one wife that Henry loved the …show more content…
Catherine Parr fought for the reinstatement of Mary and Elizabeth at court; she genuinely wanted to help the two young princesses. The conflict during his sixth marriage, pertained once again to the fight between Catholics and Protestants. Henry was raised a devout Catholic, turning to the Reform movement for monetary gain and the divorce from Catherine of Aragon. He was greatly influenced by Catholic leaders, and they brought him to believe that his new wife was a heretic. Indeed she was a follower of the Reform faith. Henry became so convinced that he had a warrant drawn up for Catherine’s arrest; however, she talked to the king and persuaded him that she was not a heretic. They lived in a happy marriage until his death in 1547, afterwards she remarried a fourth
Previously a lady in waiting to Anne, Jane Seymour captured the attention of the king. An interesting fact about Jane Seymour that separates her from Henry’s previous wives is pointed out by Eakins, “Jane never had a coronation” (Eakins) . Jane Seymour was never crowned as Queen of England. Furthermore, Jane was the only wife who fulfilled her duty by providing the king with a son and male heir; the one desire that drove him to divorce Catherine and break away from the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, Jane died not long after childbirth and she remains the one wife that Henry loved the …show more content…
Catherine Parr fought for the reinstatement of Mary and Elizabeth at court; she genuinely wanted to help the two young princesses. The conflict during his sixth marriage, pertained once again to the fight between Catholics and Protestants. Henry was raised a devout Catholic, turning to the Reform movement for monetary gain and the divorce from Catherine of Aragon. He was greatly influenced by Catholic leaders, and they brought him to believe that his new wife was a heretic. Indeed she was a follower of the Reform faith. Henry became so convinced that he had a warrant drawn up for Catherine’s arrest; however, she talked to the king and persuaded him that she was not a heretic. They lived in a happy marriage until his death in 1547, afterwards she remarried a fourth