Anne of Cleves: The Fourth Wife of Henry VIII

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Anne of Cleves, born in 1515 in Düsseldorf, was the daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Jülich-Berg. Anne's marriage to King Henry VIII of England in 1540 was a significant event in Tudor history, primarily remembered for its political implications and the unique outcome it had on the English monarchy.

Anne's marriage to Henry VIII was a result of political negotiations, aiming to form an alliance between England and the Protestant princes of Germany. In 1539, Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, had died shortly after giving birth to his long-awaited male heir, Edward VI. Eager for another alliance and perhaps swayed by flattering portraits of Anne, Henry agreed to marry her, despite never having met her in person.

The marriage, however, was doomed from the start. When Henry finally met Anne, he was reportedly disappointed by her appearance, finding her unattractive. Anne, too, was not impressed with Henry, reportedly finding him physically repulsive. Despite this, they were married on January 6, 1540, but the union was never consummated.

Within months, Henry sought an annulment, claiming that the marriage had never been valid due to Anne's pre-contract with the Duke of Lorraine. Anne agreed to the annulment, likely relieved to escape the marriage unscathed. She was granted a generous settlement, including several properties and a substantial income, as well as the title of the "King's Beloved Sister."

Anne of Cleves outlived Henry VIII and his other wives, dying in 1557 at the age of 41. Despite her short-lived and unconsummated marriage to Henry, Anne managed to secure a comfortable life for herself in England, where she was well-liked for her kindness and humility. She is often remembered as one of the more fortunate wives of Henry VIII, having escaped the fates of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.