Catherine of AragonCatherine was King Henry VIII's first wife. Catherine was previously married to King Henry's brother Arthur until his death. Catherine gave Henry a daughter, Mary, who was to become Queen Mary I. Mary was also known as Bloody Mary for all the Protestant executions in her reign. While married to Catherine King Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn, consequently Anne became one of the reasons Henry chose to leave Catherine. Another reason Henry chose to end the marriage was because Catherine did not give him a male heir. King Henry finally forced an annulment in order to separate himself from Catherine.
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Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn was King Henry VIII's second wife. She gave birth to a daughter who later became Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was argued to be the strongest and most successful monarch, King or Queen, in the history of Britain. King Henry still longed for a son. Anne was accused of adultery and plotting to kill the king, and thus treason. Anne Boleyn was therefore beheaded. King Henry had already begun making his way with one of the ladies of the court, Jane Seymour, whom he married shortly after.
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Anne of ClevesAnne of Cleves was King Henry VIII's fourth wife. Henry's advisers, mainly Thomas Cromwell, suggested a match for him with Anne of Cleves, but it appears Holbein's portrait of Anne was more flattering than the reality. Anne became Henry VIII's fourth wife, but the King was not attracted to her (and there are stories that one of the reasons was her pervasive body odor). The marriage quickly resulted in divorce.
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Catherine Howard
Catherine Howard was King Henry VIII's fifth wife. Catherine was pushed into the marriage by her own ambition, and the pressure of her powerful family. Since King Henry was old and had a wounded leg he was not fit or young enough to pleasure his wife Catherine, therefore Catherine fooled around with young men and was caught. Catherine was beheaded.
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Catherine Parr
Catherine Parr was King Henry VIII's sixth and final wife. Catherine was a well-educated lady and an excellent writer with a keen intelligence. Katherine Parr was the Queen to outlast the intrigues of court, the bad temper of the King, and the general rigors of court life. She was a sweet-tempered, kind person, and the children of King Henry VIII loved her. Catherine was the only wife to survive King Henry VIII.
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