Anne of Cleves - Fourth Wife of Henry VIII Documentary

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[@PeopleProfiles]

Right now, Narwal is offering everyone who purchases a Narwal T10 a huge $150 discount at checkout. Just go to the website bit.ly/YTPeopleProfile. and enter the code “PeopleProfile” to receive your discount! You won’t be sorry, the Narwal T10 is amazing!

[@lizabethnnandako630]

Ii8iii8888

[@lizabethnnandako630]

Ii8iii8888

[@gardensofthegods]

A loose guess looking at some charts , it was a bit confusing to figure out what 4000 was back then but a very soft guess I say was maybe about 16 million ... but who knows .

[@user-nd2ux2qn4b]

Well she seemed to be happy and very free Henry gave here permission to marry again but she chose not to

[@ivanka991]

Thank you. I think she was the lucky one. Did not have to live with Henry for too long, and well provided for enjoyed her inependent life.

[@joannebailey8277]

She sure was lucky, but she was savvy handling Henry. She had a lot of practice dealing with her brother. It came in handy, no doubt.

[@tarakennedy707]

She was the smart one I think. Once she realized what she'd gotten involved in she made it a point to bow out gracefully.

[@vampiraJ]

Lucky, but probably lived in fear until he died.

[@gerardcoyne9210]

And she held on to her head lol

[@colleengaskill2792]

When I gave my Henry VIII lecture, I always told my students that she was the lucky wife.

[@Catssandra13]

Anne of Cleves was not only an educated woman, she was also smart enough to survive a marriage with Henry that might have ended differently, had she not agreed to the annulment. All in all she came out a winner. Shortest marriage to the king and went on to live a contented life.

[@annadw6086]

There’s no questioning Anne’s education- but From Henry’s perspective- she had no redeeming qualities- especially in the bedroom Yes he could have done away with her - But has luck had it and her ingenuity she escaped such a fate -

[@Jesuisunknown]

All of them are winners 1 Divorced but still loved by many people 1 Beheaded but her daughter become Englands Greatest Monarch 1 Gave Henry VIII a son 1 Divorce and live a peaceful life 1 IDK 1 Survive and cared about Henry VIII and his daughters and son but on her 2nd wife she did not have a happy ending

[@di3486]

It’s very unlikely Henry would had killed her, she was a noble and he would risk war. Probably would have end up like Catherine of Aragon.

[@glen7318]

She wasnt educated.. She knew about housekeeping and sewing but she had no particular education.

[@di3486]

@@glen7318 More than housekeeping. German noble women were skilled administrators and knew about finances and management.

[@in_vino_veritas7938]

I think Anne of Cleves possessed a natural grace and kindness with the intuitive ability to read others with an amiable fond acceptance. Quite a lady! I'm glad she was rewarded with such respect by all. Persons such as herself is one to look up to. As a woman I take that into account

[@AngelaRPierce]

So Henry approached Anne in disguise, then was angry that she didn't recognize him. What a buffoon!

[@richardshiggins704]

Anna demonstrated remarkable astuteness and read Henry's temperament well . As a reward she was respected and more importantly survived the unpredictable whims of the thuggish Henry .

[@nothingworksworks3511]

I would say it was the perpetrator who mysteriously "let up" on his victim. All previous wives were educated and astute

[@03ixo__35]

Out of his six wives ,she was the smartest.. she got the fortune and saved her head

[@TheAzureFae]

Outlived Henry and all the other wives, as well.

[@andrealuisecandido1154]

She was very S.MART She saved her life The Queen was no silly 'cow' and in our life was no Henry

[@aurinkobay7118]

Bullshit... Cathrine of Aragon was a true queen..while henry was in europe, england was attacked.. Cathrine was defending and leading army i. Battle of Flodden while being pregnant

[@grandmachickenscluckingoodsoap]

@@aurinkobay7118 yes Catherine was a great queen, but at the end of her life she was kept away from her daughter and was banished from court. Anne of Cleves was able to live how she chose to live because she didn't fight Henry. Had she fought him, she would have been executed

[@A_5678]

​@@grandmachickenscluckingoodsoap Henry wouldn't execute Anne of Cleves even if he wanted to, simply being that she was a royal family member as she was born into the royal family of Germany if Henry had executed her this would have caused chaos for England as war would have broke out. Henry also didn't execute Catherine of Aragon as she was also a royal family member she was born into the Spanish royal family, so all he could pretty much do was get an annulment from Anne the same way he did from Catherine.

[@peadar-o]

A practical and pragmatic woman who survived a tyrannical brother and tyrannical king and adopted brother. Not a blemish on her reputation, and well-beloved in memory.

[@irawilliams343]

She was the ultimate survivor among Henry VIII's wives. Anne of Cleeves was very popular among the people and died a rich woman buried with honors. She even witnessed Mary I ascend to the throne.

[@TheMelbournelad]

Never heard what happened around the divorce other then Henry finding her “ugly”. From what you laid out, after the shock, she acted extremely savvy, and got a great deal from the cards delt”

[@sandrawallen6860]

Henry complained that she had “ill smells about her.”” He also complained about her breasts.

[@tomasfuchsbauer1536]

heard Henry tried to play "hide and seek" when Anne arrived. she didn't recognise him before she arrived at court (i wouldn't have either) and if so this pissed H the monster off and he labelled her ugly so he had a reason for the annullment. at the end of the day she was an accomplished, smart Lady. he wasn't imo. just some fat man with a smelly, gangraneous leg falling off him 🇪🇺🇮🇪

[@jcny11]

Smart woman, particularly as she was far from home without many advisors

[@taotaostrong]

Smart lady. She managed to keep her head, keep her wealth, and keep Henry the Horrible off of her! Much respect.

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

He never killed foreigners, he wouldn’t dare. He only killed his English wives.

[@van7242]

I always thought Henry couldn't consummate the marriage with Anne of Cleves because she was the only virgin he married who had NO experience of how to 'encourage' him. (I, personally, think she was the ONLY virgin he married.) I believe she was terrified on her wedding night, and he hadn't enough feeling to even try to reassure her. She was always the wife I most admired because she was sensible and put her life before her ego.

[@magical_universe793]

Jane Seymour was by all accounts a virgin and ur opinion is irrelevant

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

He would never have had her executed, she was foreign. He only did that to his English wives cos he could get away with it.

[@_friedie]

the very beautiful actress and singer Joss Stone did a fantastic job portraying Anne in The Tudors Series!

[@Nancybee1000]

She's who I think of when thinking about this queen...she did a good job!

[@Drinadraws]

Yes, Joss Stone was absolutely lovely as Anne who appears to have been mature, sensible, astute. What a shame Henry didn’t properly appreciate all her many personal qualities. I wish Anne could have married again! Being an independent woman clearly suited her though.

[@Niki-xr6cw]

That she did ,still one of the best historical dramas you could hope to come across .

[@love_mandyxo]

Probably the luckiest one out of Henry’s wives. She didn’t have to stay married to Henry for too long and he provided for her quite well after their annulment. She also lived long enough to see Mary I become Queen.

[@errolpletcher9186]

Even if Anne of Cleves had refused to grant Henry an annulment she wouldn't of been beheaded because unlike Anne Boleyn and Katharine Howard she was royal by birth. Not only would Henry of had to contend with Anne's brother the Duke of Cleves, he also would of been dealing with the entire Holy Roman Empire which the Duchy of Cleves was apart of. And even Henry was smart enough to not open the can of worms and risk war with them, especially with his ongoing battle with France. She was still smart to accept the annulment though. Not just because of the perks but also because Henry could of had her locked up in a nunnery or something and made her life miserable.

[@Laramaria2]

I really like Anna, I think she was a really interesting woman, quite respectable, amiable, adaptable and smart! To me, she was the survivor and the winner of the Tudor court! ❤

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

Yes. But she wasn’t ugly, she just didn’t respond to Henry the way he was used to. He saw that she wasn’t attracted to him the first time he met her.

[@coyotedust]

I believe this gives us an insight into Henry's mental psychic. To be so impetuous that you throw away decorum and come days early to meet your betrothed masked, and then get so upset that she rejects your advances due to mistaken identity shows how delicate his ego was. Was this because of how rigid English court etiquette was, where mistakes aren't forgiven, or is this the result of a King who is severely pampered that he can't show normal human emotions?

[@CountessKitten]

Anne, by far, is my favorite of the wives. She was far more beautiful than Henry. That's for sure. And I believe it is the case that, because of his rottening leg and his failing health, he could not "perform", if you will, even after trying for the few months they were together. I believe it propaganda, of sorts, when it is said that Henry called her "The Flanders Mare". I've studied extensively on the subject, for decades, and I would argue that not only did Anne get the better deal, Henry lost on quite a beautiful and kind woman, who could have made him happy. Seemingly, it took the teenage Catherine Howard to get him "performing" again, and he likely did not do so with his final wife, Katherine Parr. Amazing video, as always! Yours are always my favorite!! And I appreciate them. The length of them, the well researched factual tidbits in to the lives of the past are stellar, every time!! THANK you, @The People Profiles!

[@leanie5234]

@@blackcat2628zd being Henry's friend was never safe either !

[@sabine4759]

First of all , I 'm German and must say that Anna of Kleves was obviously a humble and nice person , but she never was beautiful! Holbein paints her much prettier than she really was.Her sisters also were ugly! Anna suffered from small-pox and always weared a veil to cover it up. She had had a brown face with deep scars and Henry who preferred young , pretty women with white skin was quite shocked when he saw her the first time. This is an "English error" considering Anna of Kleves as "beautiful"!

[@KL-ki8db]

@@sabine4759 Not sure if that is very accurate. Holbein was known for his realistic paintings. Jane Seymour's is a great example as he didn't draw her as the "gentle" wife. He drew her as she shown up to him with her being in a rather grouchy mood at the time of the painting. I don't think she was considered ugly in Germany at the time and not to mention the 600 year difference warrants a lot of beauty standards changing. If not beautiful to GERMANY (emphasis on Germany), she was just plain looking in comparison. Also, she definitely wasn't Henry's type. Henry's previous wives were all petite and short, while Anna was taller and fuller figured. However, she was nowhere near the level of the Flander's mare as she was slandered as.

[@Tekirai]

He only said she was ugly cause she Didn’t give him the the reaction he was hoping for in his theatrics

[@thegreencat9947]

I believe as a lady of grace she reacted to his theatrics appropriately. He should have been pleased.

[@samanthasmith61]

not really she looks uglier than pre surgery kylie jenner or any kardashian! didn't yall say kardashian jenner are ugly before surgery? what a hypocrite

[@marymaza2187]

I like how the people of Germany back then were a lot more progressive when it came to gender roles. Giving titles to the firstborn regarding their sex and educating female heirs in business and state-management as well as they did with male heirs.

[@t3rki179]

Loved this. Always liked the Idea of her surviving and cultivating her status in England for the rest of her life

[@catsberry4858]

Yay! Can't wait. Love love love that she still kept in touch with and was so dear to the princess Elizabeth and princess Mary after she was gone. They really were endeared.

[@poussinhamzah4013]

She has always fascinated me. She was certainly shrewd and intelligent enough to know how to play her cards. In the end she did pretty well. It would be great if there was a film about her.

[@lexiburrows8127]

She may have done 'very well' and, yes she did better than the others, but in the end, she never DID marry. What man would have trusted Henry's word that she might 'marry again?' I would not have done so. She may have been wealthy, but it is inconceivable that any woman of that age (or women in general) would PREFER to live alone and be childless. After time, I suppose it just became second-nature. The most prominent 'modern women' today find this acceptable - up until they reach a 'certain age', then they regret it. How much more was it regretted then when the women KNEW they were going against their own religion and against nature?

[@AngelaRPierce]

I remember reading a historical fiction about her. It was really good.

[@ladyfire44]

Thing is that Anna of Cleves was very content with her life after her divorce. Granted she never married again, but she was happy to remain in England and lived a quiet life. Had she returned to Germany, it was almost certain that her mom, Maria, and Wilhelm would've tried to get her married again. This is because they would've seen Henry's divorce to Anna as offensive, turn any future Protestant kingdoms against him and go to war. He couldn't risk angering her family and in effect the Germans. Thus, Henry offered Anna a compromise in their divorce. She would still be able to live in luxury in England with her own servants in exchange for being known as the King's sister. Anna agreed and was not only able to divorce Henry amicably, but also be able to live her own life as well. She kept in contact with her stepchildren and Mary had fond memories of her. To her servants and the people, Anna was loved and seen as a caring and serene queen. Even Henry became fond of her during his last years being alive and his marriage to his last wife, Catherine Parr.

[@elsab2710]

@@lexiburrows8127 What about Elizabeth I? She lived alone and childless by choice. Do you have no problem with that?

[@susannahdyro4845]

I agree 💯

[@ckallen1546]

An interesting window to the Tudor’s. Thank you. I don’t know what to think. What a strange situation she travelled to a foreign country for. But she walked away unscathed, wealthy, and seemingly found herself a family to adopt. Of all people in those years, it would be interesting to know her private thoughts and conversations back then.

[@LorenaMannari]

Anna was a very clever lady who knew how to save her life when she was in great danger

[@arlosmith2784]

The smartest and most lucky of the tyrant King's 6 wives. She never had to sleep with the King and got a generous settlement for not contesting an annulment. She outlived the King and all 5 other wives. 👍

[@arrynw5915]

The account of Anna seemingly knowing nothing of sex sounds to me like a double entendre- it can certainly be interpreted as her being ignorant, but it also sounds like she knew exactly what sex is, that she and Henry weren't having it, and that she was totally fine with the lack of consummation.

[@goddessofwar8916]

Anne of Cleves made sense about her statement regarding Catherine Parr when she married Henry VIII, knowing his temperament and unpredictable mood swings and the fact how Henry discarded his fifth wife Catherine Howard. Fortunately for Catherine Parr she was a smart cookie and was one step ahead of Henry when she got a word of her supposed arrest when she upset the king.

[@glorialange6446]

Even speculative history for Anne of Cleves is great because most documentaries ignore her past until she gets her portrait painted by Holbein. Thank you.

[@TheAngev]

Great account of Anne's life. It seems more than likely that Henry was having problems performing because of his injury and the embarrassment it caused him. Anne was the clear winner from the deal. Most importantly she didn't have the pressure of having to produce an heir.

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

If that were true, why did he marry twice more? It doesn’t add up.

[@dan_38]

​@user-fq8rs7rz3i the next one mayve been more of a midlife crisis marriage than genuine affection, with his ego being bruised enough to put her to sleep when he vound out of her infidelity, and the last one was just that he felt safe in her care, safe enough to call her wife and to make her a queen.

[@masonstauffer5974]

Really liked this video and I am looking forward to seeing an episode on Margaret of Anjou and Catherine Howard.

[@kimtate8756]

I think Anne of Cleves was savvy, smart and careful not to tread on anyone's toes, and that is why she survived so long. She is a model for women everywhere.

[@jessepruitt5159]

I love how there's more info of Anne and her family prior to her marriage to King Henry.

[@brenda1005]

She played with the hand she was dealt... And she did it very well. Good for her 😊

[@historyismyplayground1827]

Thank you very much for this! Anne of Cleves is my favorite of Henry's wives. She was one smart lady! I'm always sorry to see history call her ugly. I highly doubt that. And her looks are irrelevant anyway, when the rest of her charms are piled up. What a treasure she was!

[@amandadean3948]

She had the best life out of all of Henry’s wives in my opinion because she didn’t have to deal with Henry’s highly changeable moods.

[@TriciaRP]

But she died at 42? Did they all die Young? Weird.

[@gardensofthegods]

@@TriciaRP the majority of the population did not live to old age back then .

[@ubaldoa.rosario1832]

When he saw her portrait, he was like, "Ja!". But she didn't look as good as she did in her pic. Funny how we all discuss that, but never Henry's little...

[@taylorfausett177]

Of course, she's the lucky one. I have never heard the theory that possibly Henry's impotence was the reason he didn't like her. That makes sense though. Good 'ol Henry needed someone to blame. I admire Anne's diplomacy and tact.

[@mayatrendafilova9146]

I think Anne of Cleves was clever enough to give all evidences herself her marriage can be annulled and keep her head. I think she was practically genius!

[@annecoconut282]

Thank you for this documentary, very good knowledge about Anne. I think she was a very clever woman, I adore her. She may have been publicly humiliated but she was definitely the luckiest of the wives, she’s in my top 3.

[@SkepticalChris]

Anne of Cleves is the most underappreciated of all of henry's wives I think. She was smart, respected and almost universally known to be very kind to all those around her. Think of how all the other wives like Catherine of Aragon and Anne boelyn would have gotten off had they had Anne of Cleves' level headed practical mind.

[@garydillon7028]

These documentaries are awesome! Informative and interesting.

[@doriadorable9380]

Henry had some nerve calling anyone “ugly” at that stage if Holbein can be trusted…

[@joannebailey8277]

Anne was the most fascinating of Henry's wives.

[@catherinegearhart2102]

Anne of Cleves was one shrewd lady! I wish we knew more details of her life, especially since what we do know is so fascinating!

[@marvinabigby5509]

I have been interested in Henry and his wives since I was a child and Anne of a thousand days book came out tysm now I can learn about all of the wives.This Anne was definitely lucky

[@susannunes6196]

She may not have been intellectually gifted but she had remarkable common sense. It's a shame she was not bilingual when she first came to England because it put her at severe disadvantage

[@Hey_Canadian]

Really refreshing not to have the standard "Anne was a stuck up religious zealot" narrative. Thanks for fleshing out her backstory a lot more.

[@nonmihiseddeo4181]

"Madam Parr is taking a great burden unto herself." By this, I interpret that Anna was referring to Henry's changeability and ill health, neither of which was likely to improve, as well as his advanc(ed)(ing) age. I do not take envy or scorn from her words toward Madam Parr, but only an acknowledgement that Madam Parr's life with Henry was going to be more of a difficulty and less of a delight.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

That's how I saw it too. She had just been through the minefield and come out winning; if anything I think she was expressing sympathy for Catherine Parr.

[@patrickkobolt3069]

I really enjoyed this profile. I didn't know much at all about Anne other than the little I had seen in programs about Henry VIII. I was also very interested by the way she was raised in contrast to how English and French ladies were raised and that the Germans allowed women to inherit instead of only male children. Thank you!

[@shaunalea823]

She didn’t give him the reaction He wanted, each wife being set up for failure. He was the problem not them.

[@psycholist4170]

Fascinating biography of a figure of whom I knew so little! Thank you!

[@marymyers4760]

Her sister Sybille held off the Catholic armies for three years when her husband was kept prisoner. Amazing women at a time when not expected of women as this documentary states.

[@caitlyntruitt2086]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one semi-obsessed with this period of history.❤

[@anaandreajaviermckeever5421]

In my opinion she was a very intelligent woman who managed her position in life very well. Thank you for sharing.

[@Kjane.]

From what I've recently learnt of her character & capabilities, I believe She would've made a phenomenal Queen for England & been well loved too. Though unlucky in marriage, I respect & greatly admire Anne of Cleves, the fourth AND luckiest wife of King Henry viii. Easily my favourite female historical figure. I can't help but hope that she found love afterall or at least, lived the remainder of her days in peace, happy & content . 🙏🏾

[@loralieisa]

Henry the VIII saw Anne of Cleves when he had his Mask on and was not repulsed. Only after she ignored him and even may have seemed repulsed by him did he find fault with her looks. She fared very well in that she was not murdered, didn't have to stay with Henry too long and was gifted with estates and financial independence. Her remark about Catherine Parr taking on a great burden I think was referring to his thug like murderous behaviors towards his wives. Her brother tried to re-arrange another marriage between her and Henry VIII after he executed Catherine Howard. I doubt very much Anne of Cleeves wanted a second chance marriage with him.

[@Sisterfifi]

I never knew that her original reaction to Henry’s request for a divorce was to resist. Nice to find out more about her background. I knew about her brother but little else.

[@saffirechanning7286]

It sounds to me like King Henry, VIII did LOVE Anne of Cleaves------just NOT romantically. I imagine that they enjoyed having conversations together about a variety of different subjects, which entertained the king. C'mon, WHY else would he name her as his 'beloved sister' and always WELCOME her at his court, huh? To me, it sounds like they had a very pleasant platonic relationship until the king died.

[@CherylSimser]

Thank you for a wonderful presentation. I think it is sad that she passed so young.

[@thesaints-7-andrew.]

Watching from Greece.hi everybody.

[@saradecapua3264]

At the point of their meeting, Henry was no prize.

[@TheKlipparn]

Divorced, beheaded, and died. Divorced, beheaded, survived!

[@ladymopar2024]

That is so funny that is how I remember them

[@Rainbow_42.]

IMO, Anna meant that the young girl marrying Henry had no idea what she was getting herself into. She certanily was taking the burden of an elderly (in that time) unwell, angry narcissist. Anna was smart to agree to divorce, and lucky it was offered instead of Henry's hench men creating an affair or other treachery to have her killed.

[@elizabethlinsay9193]

She was a remarkable woman, not just for her time, but for all time.

[@joytiller5920]

Anna probably felt sorry for Katherine Parr, who had every reason to fear that she might end up being executed

[@NameOmitted]

Thank you for covering another woman. I would like to suggest Yaa Asantewaa. She was quite the general and took on the British when her male peers were too scared to.

[@chasejohnson4867]

Have not seen a better documentary about the most beloved Kings sister! Wow! Can you imagine all that she was forced to accept, with no knowledge and alone, with no supporters. Yet came out way ahead of anyone else. And she lived an extravagant life too!

[@glendabarton45barton48]

The King's sister? Anne of Cleves was not his sister by any stretch.

[@chasejohnson4867]

@@glendabarton45barton48 lol I mean wife. The bourbon must have been real Good that night!

[@Flamsterette]

*KING'S

[@kellykane7586]

I feel sorry for this woman that what's portrayed of her in history has been written by ppls who really didn't KNOW her, and when that is added to the fact that English was not her first language.,.I imagine she's highly misunderstood.Then to stay in a strange country, a country that basically rejected her, and continuously misunderstands her..... because she knew her own family wouldn't have her back, indeed they must have been extremely unforgiving. I'm glad she's getting some kind of recognition for the awesome woman she was in life

[@diogenes5654]

Really interesting, with many more details than I'd ever read about.Thanks

[@M1710100]

Thank you so much for your wonderful work, offering more insight into Anna's family, early life, historical and cultural background than any other documentaries I have seen so far.

[@JRandaII]

I’ve had an admiration for Ann of Cleves since I was a kid. She’s always been one of my favorite figures in history.

[@dalehoward3704]

She played her cards right for sure! Rather be rejected by Henry and live a rich independent life than Queen with that pressure to bare a son quickly and walk on egg shells for the rest of her life.

[@Flamsterette]

*BEAR

[@Flamsterette]

Thanks for the upload!

[@Isabella-je5op]

I don’t believe that she was unattractive his ego was just hurt when she turn him down without knowing it was him she was his 4 wife she knew what happened if you don’t accept divorce she decided to try different

[@shikishinobi]

Anna of Cleves is probably the most underrated of all 6 because she didn’t have a chance to make her mark, unlike all the other queens did in their own way. I have always wondered about her life before Henry, as previous documentaries don’t go into it too much. I study psychosomatics, and I’ve used paintings and pictures of Anne along with discussion of her life (as I’ve been able to learn) and students have been able to track her personal progress before, after and beyond her life with Henry.

[@peepindis]

She escaped a serial abuser and lived a comfortable and safe life for herself. To me that's a great legacy

[@shikishinobi]

@@peepindis indeed, she came out best of all 6, as she was basically set up for life after a rough marriage to a bad man. Absolutely no argument. When I say she didn't leave a mark, she didn't do anything outstanding as Queen. Aragon defeated the Scots, Boleyn brought about religious change, Seymour had the son and fought the reformations, Howard also didn't do much of note but was married longer and had a tragic end, Parr was a published author. Cleeves faded into the background, reformed to the current religion until her death (so she knew how to avoid scandal) and that is about it. She deserves a lot more credit and this documentary brought that on in spades. She deserves recognition for being able to avoid the horrible fate of her predecessors and getting the best deal.

[@peepindis]

@@shikishinobi Fair.

[@samgrez7140]

She was beautiful, Henry called her ugly because she rejected him based on his appearance, and he turned it around on her.

[@samanthasmith61]

she was pretty?? she looks uglier than pre surgery kylie jenner or any kardashian! what a hypocrite

[@paullafaele]

Wow. Just wow. I’m am enjoying these immensely 🙂

[@kathrynjordan8782]

Thank you for this documentary. I find it interesting that she was canny enough to agree to the annulment of her marriage to Henry when he became infatuated with Catherine Howard. She inherited estates, a handsome settlement and was known as the "kings beloved sister". She lived an independent life. Besides Catherine Parr, Jane Seaymoe, Catherine of Aragon, Anne was also able to maintain her neck. She escaped what happened to Anne Boelyn and Catherine Howard,

[@gonefishing167]

Thank you. So many just gloss over her but She was a very interesting woman. And, I think, very pretty. Certainly her portrait, without the - to my opinion - very unflattering headdress - shows a really pretty girl. She had her freedom and a a true amount of respect. I so hope she did live a happy, contented life. I wonder if there’s any truth to the rumours that she wanted to remarry Henry after Catherine Howard’s sad demise. 👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

If she did, then it shows that in spite of everything, she still deeply loved Henry and like Catherine of Aragon, considered him her only spouse.

[@vampiraJ]

I doubt she would have wanted to remarry to a man who is known for mistreating his wives.

[@pk6810]

She was really pretty and from good stock, if Henry really wanted heirs, she was the woman for the job but he was too shallow and dumb to see that. I'm glad she got out of that for her sake. I think the rumour that she wished to remarry Henry was merely flattery on her part to keep in good with the King, she was smart.

[@samanthasmith61]

@@pk6810 she was really pretty?? she looks uglier than pre surgery kylie jenner or any kardashian! what a hypocrite

[@samanthasmith61]

she was really pretty?? she looks uglier than pre surgery kylie jenner or any kardashian! what a hypocrite

[@heldofhil7]

I love this. Thank you kindly for posting!

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Novella warning! I'm just up to the "impatient lover in disguise" escapade. I've always wondered about it. Henry by then would have been rather hard *to* disguise, and there must have been some forewarning, time for a courtier, ambassador, or interpreter to think to warn Anne's retinue. Unless of course there was some anti foreigner spite happening, but really, if Henry got peed off at all with anyone, everyone suffered through his tantrums so that seems unlikely. Also if his disguise was so easily cast off after failure, he probably didn't come all the way from London in it, and townsfolk and house staff would have known who was coming into town n reacted accordingly. I wonder if it was Anne who had been deceived by a flattering portrait of her groom and this is why she didn't recognise him? She looks so sweet and gentle in her portrait, I'm glad she had enough maturity and common sense, or was wisely counselled not to fight the annulment. I'm with everyone else commenting...she was the most fortunate of all Henry's wives....she not only lived, but prospered, having a happy and fulfilled life. ETA The whole episode really gives us a window into Henry's mental state and maturity- or perhaps his brain damage? He was so impatient to meet her, and so impetuous and foolish that at his age and bulk he still thought it would be endearing for his royal bride to meet him in disguise, and yet discern him, much as in fairy tales. Today we'd say he thought it would be "cute", and no, Henry, no it wasn't! Then when she failed to recognise him, supposedly, he throws a hissy fit, greets her officially and rather coldly, and then... *leaves* !! returns to London. What on earth must she have secretly thought of him? And what happened to him being so eager to get to know her? Then, that escapade, which was all his fault , predisposed him to reject her, to blame her when his little Henry wouldn't rise to the occasion. It all sounds like he was mentally incapacitated, or just foolish and "believed his own publicity". I suggested earlier that rather than him being deceived by a flattering portrait, it was Anne who had been misled like that, and that was why she didn't recognise him. But I do wonder, too..assuming his disguise was at least partially successful...there she is, tired from travelling, scared, lonely, homesick..and somehow into her chamber comes an apparent peasant, or old man, whatever. He approaches her as if he has the right, grabs her hand and kisses it, thus insulting her modesty and her rank, her dignity...and she's thinking, "This dirty old man looks a bit like my future husband. But obviously it can't be...but what if it is? What if this really is he? And they lied to me, as well as being fat and smelly he's even older than I thought...But I will look so foolish if it is not him, and surely the proud and vain king of this land wouldn't come to me like this" Then the moment was gone. Sorry for the length, please take it as a compliment to your excellent research and writing. I did warn you it was a novella!!

[@tsukinoyousei]

"The most happy" should have been her mote : ) she was the lucky one!! My respect to Anne of Cleves

[@mariealexander9545]

l think Anna was the smartest one of Henrys wife's she lived a good life and escaped Henry and also treated with great respect

[@jaredgmetz]

I thought she was very close with Elizabeth. Would be interested to learn more about their relationship.

[@roberthughes513]

This was a very interesting video of a person I now have a lot of respect for. Only knowing half of the story this history lesson now makes a lot of sense….thanks to all concerned.

[@cherieestbien1902]

Knowing what he did to his wives, I would have been hesitant to marry the monster.

[@michaelserfort8128]

Sometimes it is completely unnessesary to be the desirable one . In her case it saved her life . Who knows where that would have led .

[@patriciauselton6460]

In "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (1970), Elvi Hale does an excellent job with her version of the courtship debacle -- two aristocrats from different cultures with nothing in common but blue blood and a marriage contract. Her Anne of Cleves arrives in England expecting a fairytale wedding with the most handsome, athletic, courtly and intelligent king in Europe. Instead, she meets an old, sick, fat tyrant who is a threat to all who displease him. Anne escapes with her life intact, if not her dignity. She gives up any chance of a family (disgraced in Cleves, still technically "betrothed" to the Duke of Lorraine in spite of his marriage to Christina of Milan). She agrees to all of Henry's demands and learns to live on his capricious promises of wealth and honor, as long as she causes no trouble. In truth, Anne remains in England as a royal pensioner and uses her time wisely to build relationships, especially with the king's children. Anne's influence on Princess Elizabeth may have been part of the reason that the young girl chooses not to marry. In Anne of Cleves, she sees how a woman can be strong, independent and powerful -- but only if she has no husband.

[@natalienaughton7237]

Henri has so many red flag 🚩

[@anamariaclaragrama-asztalo5562]

Not only the lucky one, but the one with smarts about her.

[@miaself5131]

Ok KZbin we pay a premium to keep ads out of these docs!!!

[@Ubique2927]

I paid for 6 months. I wish I had cancelled after 1 week. Never again. If YT goes Pay as you go it will die.

[@honorrush8390]

she was sooo lucky. smart woman. surprised at how gracious & generous Henry was towards her circumstance.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Anne of Cleves - independent person with means! Bravo! My hero!

[@vintagegal541]

Anna's education was a practical one per what the German societal levels followed. I think that they were very smart about that. If you are too above it all, then you don't know what's going on at the lower levels. That can be a problem. I think that Anna was one smart cookie. Just because you don't know how to speak several languages, play an instrument, sing or read classics, does not make a person stupid. For that time, she was educated plenty in her cultural background.

[@sharonkidd90]

Loved watching this very enjoyable

[@purphummus]

King Henry should've seen the writing on the wall. Simply by Annie's facial expression in this portrait that she may not be that easy to impress. And She clearly wasn't.😐

[@robinlillian9471]

He surprised her, and she didn't know what he looked like. No young girl would have been happy when a strange man old enough to be her grandfather suddenly kissed her.

[@purphummus]

@@robinlillian9471 Wow it's interesting that she never knew what the king of England looked like prior to meeting.

[@Roguestatus33]

@@purphummus it’s almost certainly because anything she saw depicting Henry, was heavily weighed in his favor, and not what he actually looked like

[@margaretestangco4911]

I'm very happy she lived the rest of her life contentedly as a free woman. She was smart to get that for herself instead of insisting to keep a title that would have been her unhappiness or even her death. But honestly, Henry VIII is the epitome of how low the male ego can go. 🤮

[@samanthasmith61]

and Amber Heard is the epitome of how low the female ego can go. 🤮

[@marysepradet6162]

j'apprécie énormément de voir la traduction en Français !

[@julieblackstock8650]

Outlived him and all his wives