Round Five: Six Wives Who Changed the King (ep 49)

Henry VIII was married more times than any monarch in English
history! Being the King’s wife certainly changed each of the
women. But how did the women change Henry? And which wife changed
him the most…or the most significantly? That’s our debate for
Round Five of Monarch Madness. Or should I say Marital Madness?
With Henry VIII, marriage was a bit of a mad gamble!

Katharine of Aragon changed Henry by loving him and seeing him at
his best and most promising moments. She created a happy marriage
and tried to give him a son. She also taught him the essence of
disappointment, both in their inability to have a son and in her
refusal to accept his desire to annul their marriage. Her
determination and stubbornness was an unexpected lesson for
Henry.

Anne Boleyn taught Henry to fall, for the first time in his life,
head over heels in love. This great love inspires Henry to his
“Great Matter.” She also, unfortunately for her, taught Henry he
could move on. After spending the first 27 years of his reign
with Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, Henry married four
other women in the final eleven years of his reign. Henry had a
much easier time envisioning the end of an inconvenient
relationship after Anne Boleyn.

Jane Seymour gave him his greatest desire: a healthy legitimate
son. This showed the world Henry's dynasty would continue. Having
a son and heir was the crowning glory of Henry VIII's reign. Her
death devastated him. Jane's impact is evidenced by Henry's
including her in his family dynasty portrait and choosing to be
buried with her.

Anna of Cleves didn't recognize Henry as King when he dressed as
a servant, instead seeing him as an old, unattractive, pushy,
unappealing man. He never forgave her. But he also made her the
best "get out of jail" offer when he ended their marriage. She
had a better relationship with the King after their marriage
ended, showing the value of playing nice.

Katheryn Howard first gave Henry an opportunity to regain moments
from his younger days. Married to a young bride (possibly as
young as 18), Henry was able to pretend he was young again. But
he could only achieve this by creating a narrowly defined reality
for Katheryn, his rose without a thorn, with no one in her life
but him. As her past came forward and disputed his view of her,
he became the worst version of himself and executed another
wife.

Kateryn Parr was Henry's final wife and offered him a bit of
redemption. She supported his children and brought his daughters
back to court. She encouraged him to return them to the
succession. She was not a nursemaid; instead, she was Regent for
him when he went to France and was his companion as he faced his
limited future.

All his wives changed him. But which wife changed him most?
That’s up to you!! Vote for the wife you think made the greatest
difference on possibly history’s worst husband: Henry VIII.


History shows us what's possible.