What Happened To Each Of His Henry VIII Wives?

Henry VIII is England’s most married monarch. He had his six wives in total between 1509 and 1547.

Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII divorced after the king broke from Rome to marry his second wife.

Anne Boleyn died by execution after she was accused of having sexual relations with five men, including her brother, outside of her marriage.

Jane Seymour died during childbirth; Catherine Howard was beheaded, and Katherine Parr outlived Henry VIII and consequently ‘survived’ their relationship.

Though she is known as one of Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine Parr created her own place in history. Having been married four times (Henry was her third husband), she became the most married queen of England.

King Henry VIII trusted Katherine so much that when he went to war, he appointed her as his successor, naming her Queen Regent in the event of his death. When he did eventually die at the age of 55, Katherine was allowed to keep her gowns and jewels and reside in one of his castles. Catherine Parr even kept the title of Dowager Queen as well.

The famous rhyme has been memorized by generations of schoolchildren learning about Henry VIII. Although only six words long, it is not entirely accurate – Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves did not technically divorce Henry VIII; instead, their marriages were annulled.

Another version of the poem is: “King Henry VIII, to six wives he was wedded. One died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded”.