Yes, in the 1st six terms of Olivier Award–nominated musical Six, the fate is learned by us of each and every of Henry VIII’s spouses. But just how much are you aware about their life?

Writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss dug in to the history of Tudor England together with royal court for the lyrics with their pop music opera, and greater historic knowledge means greater admiration of this nuances in Marlow and Moss’ writing. Listed below are the CliffsNotes to assist you navigate this chapter in Uk history.

Catherine of Aragon Queen from 1509–1533The “paragon of royalty” had been the very first spouse of Henry VIII. a princess that is spanish she had been the child of Isabelle and Ferdinand, thus the Latin beats and Spanish trumpets in her own Six solo “No Way.” Catherine first married Arthur (Henry’s older bro and heir obvious to your English throne) in 1501 whenever she ended up being 15. But five months after their wedding, Arthur passed away. Arthur’s dad almost needed to get back her dowry, however a King could not spend money—or European alliances. He married her down to his more youthful son, Henry VIII, in 1509, though Henry was 5 years her junior. She faithfully served England, ruling as regent in 1513 whenever Henry had been away in France. Nevertheless when she neglected to create a male heir, things got complicated. Together with her pregnancy that is fifth provided delivery to Mary (the near future Mary we of England), but Henry became preoccupied with siring a kid. He became believing that his wedding to their brother’s widow ended up being cursed by Jesus, or, as Catherine sings, “You state it is a shame ‘cause quoting Leviticus ‘I’ll find yourself kidiless all my entire life.’”

It’s commonly thought he utilized the Bible as a reason to divorce the princess that http://www.brightbrides.net/review/shaadi/ is spanish an intend to marry her woman in waiting, Anne Boleyn. Catherine had been furious he cast her apart; she had tolerated their affairs (“I’ve never destroyed control no matter what times that are many knew you lied”) as any Queen had been expected. Furthermore, Catherine maintained that she had never ever consummated her wedding to Arthur—so that’s the wedding that has been null. Complicated, we realize. Since the track shows, Catherine declined an annulment, claiming until her death that she had been the rightful Queen. Catherine ended up being provided for a” that is“nun-ry fundamentally relocated to The greater amount of Castle. She passed away in 1536 during the chronilogical age of 50, still keeping she ended up being really the only wife that is legitimate of VIII.

Anne Boleyn Queen from 1533–1536Though affairs involving the King and their Queen’s feamales in waiting were common and anticipated, no body expected him to go out of Catherine to wed Anne—the sis of their mistress that is former that. Anne was raised in the court associated with the Queen of France before going back house to England to participate the court that is royal.

Anne Boleyn is oftentimes depicted whilst the devious spouse, presumably plotting to dethrone Catherine—unsatisfied to be only a mistress, “some girl in a threesome.” Henry and Anne married in key January 25, 1533; they got the Archbishop to declare Henry’s wedding to Catherine null along with his marriage that is new to valid—thus breaking from the Catholic Church and starting the Church of England. Anne ended up being crowned queen June 1, 1533; she quickly offered birth to a woman, the near future Elizabeth we. But after three miscarriages, Henry took a brand new mistress: Jane Seymour. Needing method to rid himself of Anne, Henry reported that Anne had bewitched him while he had been hitched to Catherine. Anne perhaps flirted with a few men “just to help make him jel,” but that merely resulted in accusations of incest and adultery. She had been beheaded during the Tower of London may 15, 1536, at age 35.

Fun reality: Historians think Henry VIII had written “Greensleeves” for Anne Boleyn, who he had been wanting to woo. Ergo, the techno remix of “Greensleeves” in “Ex-Wives.”

Jane Seymour Queen from 1536–1537Just as Anne Boleyn overtook the girl she served, Jane Seymour ended up being a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne, after serving Queen Catherine. Henry VIII became betrothed to Jane one after Anne’s execution day. Jane offered delivery up to a son, Edward, in 1537 and died two weeks later of postnatal complications october. Jane is normally looked at as the favorite, as this woman is really the only spouse Henry freely mourned therefore the just one to get a queen’s funeral, which is the reason why her song in Six is considered the most such as for instance a energy ballad—even if it she sings that “without my son your love could disappear.” Henry VIII had been ultimately buried beside her at Windsor Castle.

Anne of Cleves Queen from January 1540–July 1540Anne of Cleves lasted just sixth months as Queen, but she kept her mind. Musician Hans Holbein younger decided to go to Germany to paint Anne and her sibling, as Henry VIII considered which will be their 4th spouse. (We read about these travels in “Haus of Holbein.”)

But once Anne arrived after her portrait, Henry felt she “didn’t didn’t look like her profile image.” She revealed a lack that is general of, “sippin’ on mead and I also spill it to my dress,” which additionally displeased the royal. Essentially, the master made excuses for their displeasure along with her and discovered another reason to be rid of her, saying there is absolutely no way she had been a virgin once they wed. Issued an annulment, Anne stayed in benefit with all the King and sometimes checked out court through the reigns associated with last two queens. She passed away in 1557.

Catherine Howard Queen from 1540–1541Catherine, better referred to as Kitty, had been long the item of intimate attention as recommended in “All You Wanna Do.” She ended up being molested by her music instructor, Henry Mannox, as he had been 36 ( perhaps not 23 as Six states) and she 13. At 15, she relocated along with her grandmother, “the dowager Duchess,” and became fans with “sexy secretary” Francis Dereham—an event that will started to haunt her later on. Her grandmother discovered the affair and delivered her to your Tudor court.

Like her relative, Anne Boleyn, she served as a lady-in-waiting however in the court of Anne of Cleves. The king had been 49 years of age as he married the 16-year-old. Nevertheless the gossips at court—some of whom had witnessed Dereham—quickly spread word to her behavior that Catherine had been committing adultery behind Henry’s straight straight back with Henry’s courtier Thomas Culpeper. Culpepper, Dereham, and Catherine had been all performed (Dereham ended up being drawn and quartered). Catherine, beheaded February 13, 1542, ended up being hidden in a grave that is unmarked.

Catherine Parr Queen from 1543-1547The wife that is final of VIII lived in constant anxiety about her very own execution. Ahead of her wedding to King Henry VIII, she had two husbands that are previous had been widowed both in instances. She had dropped in deep love with Thomas Seymour (Jane’s cousin) before she caught the attention of this King. As well as in “I Don’t Need Your Love,” she pleads with Thomas to keep her alone to save lots of them both through the King’s wrath and specific death.

By the right time she wed Henry, he had been 52 plus in ill wellness. Catherine ingratiated herself to your master by being a mom to their three kids: Catherine of Aragon’s Mary, Anne Boleyn’s Elizabeth, and Jane Seymour’s Edward. This woman is the one who restored Mary and Elizabeth’s royal standing therefore that they might can be found in the line of succession.

During her reign, Catherine had been the very first queen of England and Ireland; she had been additionally the queen with the most diplomatic influence since Catherine of Aragon, as she served as regent whenever Henry traveled to France once again. Catherine ended up being an advocate of reformation when you look at the Church, Protestantism. In reality, she published publications on prayer inside her own name—and ended up being the very very very first Queen of England to take action. That she“fought for feminine training. therefore it’s real” Before Henry VIII died 28, 1547, he instructed that she be respected as the Queen of England even after his death—which is what happened january. She stepped down through the throne whenever Prince Edward, Jane Seymour’s son, had been prepared to ascend in 1547. This time around, she ended up being the only to re-marry, to gentleman associated with court Thomas Seymour. She passed away September 5, 1548.