Who Was The 4th Wife Of Henry VIII?

Henry VIII, the notorious King of England from 1509 to 1547, is well-known for his six marriages. His fourth wife was Anne of Cleves, a German noblewoman. Born on September 22, 1515, Anne of Cleves was the daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Julich-Berg.

Anne of Cleves became Henry VIII's wife on January 6, 1540, when she was just 24 years old. The marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves was arranged for political reasons, as Henry sought an alliance with the Protestant German states against France and the Catholic Habsburg Empire.

However, the marriage did not last long. Henry VIII was disappointed with Anne's appearance, as her portrait had been exaggeratedly flattering. He famously described her as a "Flanders Mare." After just six months of marriage, Henry VIII sought an annulment, claiming that the marriage had not been consummated.

Despite the annulment, Anne of Cleves was treated well by Henry VIII, earning the title of the "King's Sister" and receiving a generous settlement. She lived a comfortable life in England and maintained a good relationship with the King, even attending his funeral in 1547.

Following her divorce from Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves lived in various properties, including Richmond Palace and Bletchingley Palace. She enjoyed a peaceful and independent life, free from the dangers of court politics.

After the death of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves remained unmarried but continued to receive a pension and was highly respected. She outlived all of Henry VIII's wives, passing away on July 16, 1557, at the age of 41.

Anne of Cleves has been remembered as the "lucky wife" of Henry VIII due to her fortunate divorce settlement and the fact that she managed to escape the tragic fate of his other wives, who either faced divorce, execution, or death in childbirth.

In conclusion, Anne of Cleves was the fourth wife of Henry VIII, a marriage that ended in annulment. Despite the short-lived union, Anne of Cleves lived a comfortable and respected life, becoming the last surviving wife of the infamous English king.

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