Watch this quick video about Henry's six wives
Read the information below to find out about Henry's wives
Read the task box at the bottom of the page to find out what you have to do
Click on the word icon for a copy
of the homework sheet.
HOMEWORK
For this homework you must:
Watch this quick video about Henry's six wives
Read the information below to find out about Henry's wives
Read the task box at the bottom of the page to find out what you have to do
Click on the word icon for a copy
of the homework sheet.
Introduction
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Henry VIII had more wives than any other English or Welsh king. Being his wife must have been a tricky business. You might have enjoyed the luxury lifestyle for a time, but there were certain risks involve in being married to a man like Henry |
He accused one wife of being a witch.
He divorced another for being too ugly.
He sentenced another to death for having a boyfriend before she met the King!
Let's start by looking at the ageing King...
52 years old.
Cruel, bad tempered and paranoid - once he was so convinced that someone would try to kill him as he slept that he instructed a bricklayer to brick him into his bedroom at night.
So fat that he had to be put onto his horse with a hoist.
He complained about headaches, fever, smallpox and malaria. His legs were covered with ulcers, which later turned to gangrene. One visitor wrote that Henry 'had the worst legs in the world'.
To help you look at the information about the six wives below -
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Catherine of Aragon: Was first married to Henry’s brother Arthur who died. They were married for 20 years. When Henry was in France the Scottish King attacked England. Catherine raised an army and defeated him. She bore Henry several children only Mary survived. Henry needed the Popes permission to divorce Catherine. He refused so Henry became head of the church instead of the Pope. Henry divorced Catherine because she was too old to give him a son. His excuse was she was spending more time praying and less time dancing. |
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Anne Boleyn: Henry fell in love with Anne because she was young and pretty with flowing hair and black eyes. The marriage lasted for three years. 1533 – 1536. She gave Henry one child a daughter called Elizabeth. She is accused of having lovers and put on trial. The trial is not fair as people do what the king tells them. She is executed. |
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Jane Seymour: Henry marries Jane because she is a plain and simple girl. He hoped she would provide him with a boy to follow him as king. They were married for one year 1536 – 1537. She gives Henry a child. Edward the son he so wants. Jane becomes ill and dies. Henry is heartbroken at her death |
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Anne of Cleves: Henry marries Anne in 1540 to form a friendship (alliance) with Germany. Anne is ugly and Henry does not like her. The marriage only lasts for seven months.
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Catherine Howard: Catherine was young and pretty and the King was old and fat. They were married for two years 1540 – 1542. The King liked young and pretty women around him. Catherine soon had a lover. She is executed. |
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Catherine Parr: Henry and Catherine are married for four years 1543 – 1547. The king is old and sick and needs somebody to look after him and his children. In January 1547 Henry dies. |
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TASK 1. On the homework sheet you must complete the diagram explaining what happened to the six wives
2. For the second task you must write a letter to Catherine Parr giving her advice about what she should do to survive marrying Henry. You should try and include in your letter:
Give Catherine some tips about how she could survive. Remember Henry is very old and needs someone to look after him now.
This link takes you to some more detailed information about Henry's wives.
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