Anne of Cleves © 1999-2000 www.arttoday.com

Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's beloved third wife, had died. France and the Holy Roman Empire were forging an alliance. Though Jane Seymour had given birth to a son, Henry knew that he needed more sons to ensure the succession. His attention turned towards a small German state, Cleves, which might prove a solid Protestant ally. Henry sent his court painter Hans Holbein to paint the portraits of the princesses Anne and Amelia. Henry selected Anne as his next wife.

Soon after the wedding, if not before, Henry was looking once again for a divorce. He was attracted to Catherine Howard, the political basis for the match was no longer as strong a motivation since France and the Holy Roman Empire were no longer allies, and he found Anne both uncultured and unattractive -- he is said to have called her "Mare of Flanders."

Anne, fully aware of Henry's marital history, cooperated in an annulment, and retired from court with the title "King's Sister." Henry gave her Hever Castle, where he had wooed Anne Boleyn, as her home.

She befriended Henry's children, riding in the coronation of Mary with Elizabeth. Her position and fortune made her a powerful independent woman, though there was little opportunity to exercise such power in any public sphere.

Anne of Cleves on the Web

Anne of Cleves
Biography with link to a gallery of portraits.

Anne of Cleves
Encyclopedia Britannica entry on Anne of Cleves.

Anne of Cleves
Two different versions of the story of Anne of Cleves and Henry VIII.

Anne of Cleves: Genealogy Chart
Genealogy chart for Anne of Cleves.

Hever Castle
Home of Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves, wives of King Henry VIII of England.

History of Costume - 16th Century - England
Anne of Cleves and Henry VIII, from a 19th century history of costume.

Holbein portrait: Anne of Cleves
From Compton's, an analysis of the Hans Holbein portrait of Anne of Cleves, painted for Henry VIII before Henry met her.

House and Museum
A house in Lewes, reputed to have been given to Anne of Cleves in her divorce settlement.

King Henry VIII
A basic timeline of the life of Henry VIII.

Bibliography