Henry VIII(1491~1547) was King of England from 1509 until his death. His marital history is a prominent aspect of Tudor historiography and is commonly summarized by the phrase “the six wives of Henry VIII.” The six women, listed in chronological order of marriage, are:
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Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536) – Henry’s first wife. Their marriage began in 1509. She was previously married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales, and the marriage to Henry was annulled in 1533 after a protracted dispute over the legitimacy of their daughter, Mary I.
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Anne Boleyn (c. 1501–1536) – Henry’s second wife, married in 1533. Their marriage produced Elizabeth I. Anne was executed for treason and adultery in 1536.
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Jane Seymour (c. 1497–1537) – Henry’s third wife, married in 1536. She gave birth to the male heir, Edward VI, in 1537 and died of post‑partum complications a few days later.
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Anne of Cleves (1515–1557) – Henry’s fourth wife, married in January 1540. The marriage was annulled in July 1540 on grounds of non‑consummation and political considerations. Anne remained in England as a royal sister and received a generous settlement.
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Catherine Howard (c. 1521–1542) – Henry’s fifth wife, married in July 1540. She was executed for adultery in February 1542.
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Catherine Parr (1512–1548) – Henry’s sixth and final wife, married in July 1543. She outlived Henry, who died in January 1547, and later married Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.
These six marriages had profound political, religious, and dynastic consequences, notably contributing to England’s break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. The phrase “the six wives of Henry VIII” is widely recognized in historical literature, educational curricula, and popular culture.
