Biography - an account of the series of events making up a person's life.
Anne of Cleves
born: 22-09-1515
birth place: Cleves, Lower Rhinelands (Germany)
She was educated in the restricted circle of the ducal court at Dusseldorf and, although highly competent at domestic duties, she was unfamiliar with the ways of the English Court, and Henry VIII's passions, books and music.
Her personal interests were of no import to Henry VIII however, as the marriage, his fourth, was purely a diplomatic manoeuvre, arranged by Thomas Cromwell, the King's Minister.
Due to Henry's break with Rome, England was in danger of being completely isolated from Europe. By 1538, the King of France and the Emperor had agreed a truce, and Henry feared attack.
It made perfect sense to form an alliance with the Duchy of Gelderland, and an easy and convenient way to do so was for Henry to marry a daughter of the Duke.
After consulting portraits of the two sisters, produced by Holbein, Henry chose Anne, and the marriage contract was immediately drawn up.
It was not long before the truce between France and the Holy Roman Empire collapsed, however, and Anne's marriage seemed less necessary than before. Still, Henry and Anne married on 6th Januray 1540 - Henry had been without a wife for over two years since the death of Jane Seymour.
Soon after the wedding, war between the Emperor and the Duke of Cleves appeared inevitable, and Henry realised his marriage could place his Kingdom in danger again, and so set about nullifying the marriage, on the grounds of non-consummation. Anne of Cleves became known as the 'Flander's Mare' - rumoured to be so unattractive the King could not bear to touch her.
Despite her unfair treatment, Anne co-operated with the King throughout the shabby affair. After the divorce, Henry awarded her the honorary title, 'The King's Sister', and gave her houses and land as compensation. Anne of Cleves lived in comfortable obscurity until her death in 1557.
born: 22-09-1515
birth place: Cleves, Lower Rhinelands (Germany)
Anne of Cleves was born in Cleves, a principality in the lower Rhinelands of what is now Germany, in 1515.
She was educated in the restricted circle of the ducal court at Dusseldorf and, although highly competent at domestic duties, she was unfamiliar with the ways of the English Court, and Henry VIII's passions, books and music.
Her personal interests were of no import to Henry VIII however, as the marriage, his fourth, was purely a diplomatic manoeuvre, arranged by Thomas Cromwell, the King's Minister.
Due to Henry's break with Rome, England was in danger of being completely isolated from Europe. By 1538, the King of France and the Emperor had agreed a truce, and Henry feared attack.
It made perfect sense to form an alliance with the Duchy of Gelderland, and an easy and convenient way to do so was for Henry to marry a daughter of the Duke.
After consulting portraits of the two sisters, produced by Holbein, Henry chose Anne, and the marriage contract was immediately drawn up.
It was not long before the truce between France and the Holy Roman Empire collapsed, however, and Anne's marriage seemed less necessary than before. Still, Henry and Anne married on 6th Januray 1540 - Henry had been without a wife for over two years since the death of Jane Seymour.
Soon after the wedding, war between the Emperor and the Duke of Cleves appeared inevitable, and Henry realised his marriage could place his Kingdom in danger again, and so set about nullifying the marriage, on the grounds of non-consummation. Anne of Cleves became known as the 'Flander's Mare' - rumoured to be so unattractive the King could not bear to touch her.
Despite her unfair treatment, Anne co-operated with the King throughout the shabby affair. After the divorce, Henry awarded her the honorary title, 'The King's Sister', and gave her houses and land as compensation. Anne of Cleves lived in comfortable obscurity until her death in 1557.
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