Mum's Monday: Six Wives, The Queens of Henry the 8th By David Starkey

Queen Catherine of Aragon

Catherine was born into a Spanish royal family in Spain where her mother was strong minded and was on equal stance as well as her father. We sometimes think of strong women as a modern development, but it is good to see women held their own in the past as well. Although Catherine was well educated in some things, she was sadly, lacking in certain knowledge when going out into the wider world. With all good intentions that you can see, there is still a lot more Catherine should have leant. Once Catherine had grown up she was all set to travel to England from Spain. Unfortunately, events in Spain delayed this trip. If she had made the journey, history could have been different. It is a surprise to see Catherine marry someone else first. It is good to see Catherine still embracing her Spanish roots, especially riding across England from Plymouth to London. After the wedding Catherine still wanted to keep her Spanish roots, however, some of her servant’s jobs didn’t translate into England and with Catherine having a more extensive household full of help than the King and Queen, I can see why the King and Queen were not happy. Sadly, the marriage didn’t last long as Catherine’s husband Arthur passed away. It is sad to see Catherine turned into a bargaining tool. We now see Catherine married to Henry the 8^th, his first wife and the reason for her being in this book. Sadly, the marriage ends in divorce, but compared to Henry’s future marriages, it could have been worse.

Anne Boleyn

Anne was born into an English family, where the women had married well. It is nice to see that Anne was well educated and accomplished in many things of the day. I always thought Anne Boleyn was French and this may be because, as it mentions in this book, Anne carried off being a French woman in her manner and knowing the language really well. This book is very informative and as I am finding out, A real eye opener. It is interesting to read that before Anne came to be with Henry the 8^th, she as could only be described as in modern times, the equivalent of ‘Playing the field’ yet with Henry she played ‘Hard to get’. However, they eventually got married. Sadly, and unluckily for Anne her life was to end by her being beheaded at the ‘Tower of London’.

Jane Seymour

Jane was the sister of Edward Seymour who worked for Charles V and Jane herself worked for Henry’s first wife Catherine. Jane was seen right or wrongly as quiet, submissive and not sadly, seen as, as beautiful as Henry’s previous wives, Catherine and Anne. Sadly, unlike Henry’s previous marriages Jane passed away after giving birth.

Anne of Cleves

Anne was German and educated in sowing. This marriage was a result of some match making and deciding on the idea of a German marriage. Sadly, it would seem inevitable due to the nature of the setup of the relationship the marriage wouldn’t last and it ended in divorce.

Catherine Howard

Catherine was English and belonged to the large Howard family. Her father was Lord Edmund Howard and her mother was Jocasta Culpepper. Anne Boleyn, one of Henry the 8^th’s previous wives was Catherine’s cousin. After moving in with a step-grandparent, Catherine quickly showed and developed leadership qualities. Catherine was to ultimately become Henry the 8^th’s 5^th wife and was described as a ‘Good time girl’. It is widely thought that when Henry found out about Catherine’s actions during his marriage to her and she was to be beheaded, that Catherine pleaded for her life in a gallery at Hampton Court Palace. So it was a surprise to read in this book that Henry simply just left Hampton Court, leaving Catherine only knowing something wasn’t right. She never saw Henry again and was Beheaded at the ‘Tower of London’ sadly, ending his 5^th marriage.

Catherine Parr

Catherine was the granddaughter of Sir William Parr. Catherine was probably better educated than Anne Boleyn and came from a well-connected family. It is a surprise to read that Catherine was married twice before she married Henry and became Queen. At first Catherine didn’t want to marry Henry, knowing the history of his previous wives and she was also in love with someone else. In this book it says Catherine prayed and God told her to marry Henry. I don’t know if I agree with this outcome. The marriage went ahead anyway and Catherine ultimately out lived Henry.

This book has been very well researched and is a good history lesson of the royal family in England and elsewhere.