June 11th: The Day Henry VIII Marries Wife Number 1

One of the major points of interest in Tudor history is the escapade of Henry VIII and his six wives. Catherine of Aragon instigated these serial marriages on June 11th 1509, and the pair were crowned King and Queen of England just thirteen days later. When we did the Tudors in primary school, I was about 8 years old, so obviously got a briefer account of the chopping and changing of Henry's love life. Taking an adult perspective on the matter, however, has exposed some new findings to me..

Divorced: Painting by Michael Sittow  

Only 14 months after her previous husband Prince Arthur  died, King Henry VII ensured his son was betrothed to marry Catherine as soon as he came of age. Of course, this decision was chiefly driven with her sizable dowry in mind; however Henry VII was quite fickle on the subject, concluding later that he didn't approve of such a connection. Nevertheless, after his father's death, Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon regardless, and reigned together for 24 years (his longest marriage by far).

 Not long into the marriage, it soon became apparent what the function of Catherine was, in Henry's eyes: a full-time baby-maker. With her husband's growing demand for a male heir, and I stress the word male here, Catherine found herself pregnant pretty much constantly until 1518. That's a good 9 years of buns in the oven, but not very much to show for it! 

Pregnancy no.1: Still-born daughter born prematurely. Henry is not happy.

Pregnancy no.2: A son (yay!), but he died after 52 days. Henry is not happy.

Pregnancy no.3: Miscarriage. Henry is not happy.

Pregnancy no.4: Another son, but he died shortly after too. Henry is not happy.

Pregnancy no.5: A daughter, Mary I, who survives...but she's a girl. Henry is definitely not happy.

Henry VIII

 At least 2 more pregnancies were recorded after these, all unsuccessful. It was common knowledge that the King had 2 mistresses, but his relationship with his next future wife, Anne Boleyn, was unexpected, especially to poor Catherine. To make matters worse, Catherine eventually became infertile, effectively spurring the King on to pursue Anne Boleyn. Despite receiving an annulment in 1533, Henry and Catherine of Aragon's marriage was the most extensive of the lot, and showed Henry at his most patient. From then on his tactic seemed to be either get a son, or dispose of his wife in some way. This meant his marital status was fluctuating almost annually: Catherine of Aragon (Divorced: 1509-1533); Anne Boleyn (Beheaded: 1533-1536); Jane Seymour (Died: 1536-37); Anne of Cleves (Divorced: 1540 Jan-July); Kathryn Howard (Beheaded: 1540-1542); and finally Katherine Parr (Survived: 1543-1547). 

 So considering Anne of Cleves only lasted 7 months, Catherine of Aragon did rather well for herself. Henry eventually became father of a male heir, Prince Edward, from wife no.3 Jane Seymour, but she died just two weeks after giving birth. It seems awfully excessive and unjust to have six wives, only producing three children, all in honour of one man. Well, long live the King, I guess!?