July 9 - Anne of Cleves, "right entirely beloved sister"

[@GrumpyKitten375]

Anne was smart. I do respect her. We don’t know how astute or aware she was. But She knew to defy Henry she would likely die. I think her sexual naivety saved her, and having no emotional attachment to Henry saved her life. She didn’t plead for Henry to love her. She was smart enough to concede to the divorce and Henry rewarded her for it. She sounded like a very kind lady.

[@trishayamada807]

Anne sounded like a really kind person. She left money to her servants after her death. I can’t imagine that was the usual way. There always seems to be some really kind people in history that shine a bit brighter.

[@edennis3202]

It has been traditional for rich people in England to leave money to their servants in their will. In a time when there was no social security, servants would be left twisting in the wind without this benefit. It was part of "noblesse oblige."

[@pvel1013]

I had no idea Anne thought Henry would come back to her. I learned something new today. I would have been happy to have been off the hook with honors if I was her. She’s a brave chick.

[@terrignazari6330]

I personally don't think she really believed he would return to her. I think she was simply a shrewd and highly intelligent strategist. I think she pretended to want Henry back in order to 'play up' to his vanity, knowing he would refuse her but feel flattered that she still wanted him. Such a strategy, if successful, would raise her even further in his esteem and solidify her position. Henry was known to be capricious and a 'dear friend' could easily fall from favor. Examples are the Duke of Buckingham, Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, etc. The most famous, up to that point, was Anne Boleyn, Henry's once dearly beloved queen. A favorite had to be constantly on guard and do whatever he or she could to retain that position. As it turned out, Anne of Cleves' ploy - if that was indeed what it was - worked brilliantly.

[@marionarnott750]

@@terrignazari6330 The people in the Tudor story are like kaleidoscopes: twist the info one way and you see one pattern. Twist it another and the picture is entirely different. And that is so true of Cleves..Was she a naive ingenue or a master manipulator?

[@terrignazari6330]

@@marionarnott750 I know what you mean. That's one reason I find her so fascinating. She's an enigma. I personally believe she was a shrewd realist, who understood human nature - at least, Henry's - as well as her own unstable and possibly dangerous position. However, I may be reading things into her actions that aren't there.

[@marionarnott750]

@@terrignazari6330 she is an enigma, strangely elusive. Or maybe she just got lucky!

[@dmgib5239]

I always wonder how much Anne of Cleves knew about the ending of Henry VIII's first marriage to Katherine of Aragon. I tend to think that she must have been well informed about it. If you compare the behavior of Katherine and Anne from the time that they each learned that Henry no longer wished to be married to them, you can see that Anne responded to the kings wishes completely differently than Katherine. She saw what the consequences of defiance were for Katherine, and she wisely decided to take a different course. She was humble and obedient, which were qualities that the narcissistic Henry valued highly in women. Anne is sometimes portrayed as a bit of a simpleton because she was young and didn't speak English fluently yet, but I think her actions - after learning that the King wished to nullify their marriage - show that she was no fool. She ended up with a generous annuity from the crown, several beautiful homes, including Richmond Palace, and was still welcome at court, where she took precedence over all ladies but the king's daughters and his queen. She never had to return to Cleves in disgrace and lived the rest of her life in England.

[@theresecatalano4017]

Personally I think Anne of Cleves was the luckiest of Henry’s 6 wives! She kept her head & she got a nice settlement. Thomas Cromwell wasn’t so lucky! Thank you Claire! I enjoy the videos so much!

[@christinedarrock8486]

I swear that Henry looked on his Queen's ladies in waiting as his own personal stable (sorry - do not mean to be rude). Whenever he felt the need to roam - he seemed to look no further than here.

[@RobertoLorenzPianist]

That's quite understandable. He could be sure that these Ladies were high-born, educated, healthy and untouched (at least they were supposed to be). In modern times we are extremely judgemental with him but who knows how we would have turned out if we had lived such a spoiled royal life back then.

[@marionarnott750]

@@RobertoLorenzPianist Katherine of Aragon had caused him a great deal of worry because of her powerful connections abroad. He seems to have feared war.. Events slipped out of his control when he took a foreign wife. Then Anne of Cleves taught him not to trust a portrait. All in all, an English wife was best: she could. be viewed beforey marriage and there would be no comeback from her family if things went wrong.

[@carolrondou6161]

Anne of Cleves is my favorite of Henry's Queens. Smart enough to unload the Old Boy, keep her head, and become fabulously rich. Anne B is a close 2nd

[@Armylady74]

Carol Rondou Cleaves is also my favorite! She was well loved and a kindly lady!

[@TheTam0613]

Thank you for another great video, Claire 💛 I find Anne of Cleves absolutely fascinating. She was really the luckiest of all his wives. She didn't have to spend much time with him, and made a fair living out of being "his sister".

[@kristooley4112]

This was the first time I ever heard that Anne was disappointed that Henry did not want Anne back after the execution of Catherine Howard. I have always been under the impression that Anne was rather relieved when Henry annulled the marriage, and to keep her head and not have to return home where it sounds like that had been an unhappy life, she had agreed to this. She was I thought quite turned off by Henry at first meeting, and although in time they became friends and 'brother and sister' I really cannot imagine Anne would ever have wanted a repeat of the trials of the marriage bed!

[@jeffmode6526]

Princess Anna of Cleves was very wise to have accepted the annulment of her marriage. She became a wealthy lady without Remaining Queen. She Became an honorary member of the King's family.

[@Knorkooli]

She was a very intelligent and what we consider "classy" lady. She knew exactly what would be in store for her had to fought against it and decided to just let sleeping dogs lay where they wish.

[@nibs8837]

Anne of Cleves words are so wise and so kind...I suddenly feel that I must read more about her! She conceded to the King's will with so much grace and humility, that it elicited an unexpectedly affectionate response!

[@ccasey1904]

I seem to recall reading that Anne of Cleves had trouble back home in the form of her brother so Anne COULD not go “home”. Anne of Cleves must have been a pretty wise and kind lady.❤

[@nancythecat1079]

I had often wondered before this if she had found him repugnant, and was glad to have a way out, alive. She certainly dodged a bullet there. Or maybe a hatchet.

[@astrinymris9953]

The settlement Anne of Cleves received inclines me to think that if Katherine of Aragon had been similarly willing to "play ball" with Henry, she could have struck a good deal with him as the price of her accepting the annulment without protest. However, poor Katherine apparently couldn't believe that Henry wouldn't eventually tire of Anne Boleyn and return to her. Anne of Cleves had the advantage of knowing how Henry had treated her predecessors, so she decided to bow gracefully to necessity.

[@terrignazari6330]

Anne of Cleves was a pragmatist - a realist. She was the sister of a minor German prince. He was a ruler, but his kingdom was small. Anne of Cleves was well aware of her disadvantages. Catherine of Aragon, on the other hand, was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, the 'power couple' of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. After their deaths, she was the beloved aunt Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, who ruled much of the known world. She came from a position of prestige and power. Catherine was most likely much better educated than Anne, but Anne appeared to be a much better judge of character and could realistically grasp a situation and act accordingly. It was an innate wisdom that Catherine, despite her intelligence, lacked.

[@ingerabrams4569]

Katherine of Aragon was deeply religious and believed their marriage was ordained by God. Also she had a daughter to protect and believed that daughter deserved a position as princess and heir. Her own mother had been a queen so Mary being female was not a disqualifier.

[@kel1559]

No doubt, Katherine of Aragon fully expected to remain royal all her life because she had always been royal. The other part is that she wouldn't have wanted her marriage to Henry annulled because that would make Princess Mary illegitimate and she wouldn't have wanted that for her daughter. Her situation was more complicated because she had more than herself to consider. Anne of Cleves was clever to be amenable to Henry's plans and she lived a good life after that. I can believe she was fairly naive about the ways of the marriage bed because some cultures had more to gain by keeping their females uninformed. I am not sure that is the case with Anne because we can't be sure of anything really. It is all speculation but I do enjoy the speculation. She is fascinating, for sure. To have married Henry and lived past all that is a magical thing.

[@annwilliams6438]

The price Catherine would have paid to do that though would have been to ensure her daughter Mary would never have been queen.

[@pamelamorgan7354]

Even with “pre-contract” Anne of Cleves never married again! She was the luckiest of all his wives. She decided to keep her head and give Henry whatever he wanted! Smart woman!

[@tracyrunyan3567]

Anne of Cleves made out like a bandit in the end. She was still alive to see Princess Mary take her throne as Queen of England.

[@maryannlockwood7806]

🇺🇸such a fascinating time in British history. She’s lucky she keep her head. 🇬🇧

[@sassytbc7923]

Seems like she understood quite well that if she did as she was told all would be much better for all involved. Smart lady

[@alijafar2996]

Anne of cleaves is very lucky

[@vilstef6988]

Anne was indeed lucky, without a doubt the luckiest of the six. She is indeed fascinating.

[@ianslass]

You can hear a shining smile in your voice when you speak of her. How lovely! Nice video, once again!

[@teresacooper2724]

Hi Clair, an excellent video about, in my opinion, the most overlooked and dismissed wife of Henry viii. The way young women were brought up and educated was a far cry from Anne’s contemporaries in England and the continent. I think Anne would be a very worthy subject for a video to fit in with your Tudor videos. Super work and I’m going to start dipping into “this day in Tudor history” or Anne Boleyn part 2.

[@cathryncampbell8555]

I think that Anne's comment about her wedding ring being a thing of little value has just a touch of bitterness to it. I agree with you, Claire -- Anne of Cleves was a fascinating lady & a true survivor.

[@aimee2234]

Anne of Cleaves was the luckiest woman to cross paths with Henry. Thank you, Claire! :-)

[@jmarie9997]

I wonder how'disappointed' she really was, especially since Henry had just had another wife killed.

[@sarahna8698]

It’s hardly believable to me that she would’ve still contemplated marrying a man who had already executed two wives.

[@kimmaried.7313]

Anne holds my attention and I think she is also one of my favorites. A very smart women considering how things could have gone.

[@BretislavStasa]

Anne of Cleves is my favourite Tudor History person hands down, really enjoy hearing more about her here on your channel, which never fails to portrait her objectively. Thank you

[@cocola485]

That is a whole new twist on the term "Sister Wife". What a reality show she could have had with her own "Sister Wives" t.v. franchise. I might believe that Anne was not up on all of the true facts of life, after spying in on my Grandmother, and her old Aunties private conversations about how things were in some households in the old South.

[@verablexitasap858]

She just must have been such a cool personality who really played the game right. She really fared better in the end than any of the wives or Henry or his children. Probably even happier than Elizabeth

[@yunusalam1970]

josh stone played a great anne of cleves

[@Armylady74]

enu de guise agree!

[@patriciapickett836]

You've made me interested to know more about the original pre-contract of marriage and what really transpired in those negotiations! I also did not realize that Anne somehow presumed that Henry would return to her...her letters reveal a nimble mind but that does not preclude naivete!

[@EnglishVirgo]

That is what happens when you realise that 'taking the deal' so to speak, will present you with a much better outcome than if you fight him on it. Sensible young lady.xx

[@snowpony001]

I agree, Anne (of Kleves) is someone who I find extremely interesting also. I wasn’t aware that she still considered herself married to the King and that she thought he would return to her after Katherine Howard's fall. That's interesting. However, I’m guessing that she was smart enough to know how lucky she was that he did not.

[@Lyndell-P]

🇦🇺🦘 Anne of Cleves remains one of my favourite ladies of Tudor times. Truly a noble lady, caring and kind. I do believe that given half a chance, Anne would have made a dutiful and loving wife and Queen to King Henry VIII. ... Instead she became Henry's "right dear and right entirely beloved sister" ! .. "Thank you" Claire 👑👍.

[@BlackCatMargie]

I agree that Anne of Cleves seems to have been a fascinating person. She did come from a royal house though, so I think her head was always safe as it would have caused a diplomatic disaster if she was harmed. Still, i think her heart must also have been good as she seems to have been at peace with members of all the factions at Henry's court.

[@denisewright3179]

Yes... Anne of Cleves is my 2nd favorite also... From the portraits I think she is honestly MOST pleasing.

[@Dawnsdelightsart]

She was so kind and so lucky to keep her head.

[@daniellereid01]

It’s almost as if, seeing as it would have been a bad move politically for Henry to take out his anger on Anne herself, he had to get blood by beheading Cromwell. Honestly, the more I hear about Henry VIII, the more I think he was a sociopath. There seemed to be no real emotion attached to his personal relationships with both wives and friends, rather it was more about how well they served his narcissism. The minute they stepped out of line, that was it, and the only regret he seems to have voiced was regret over how they were dishonest towards him. Very disturbing.

[@astrinymris9953]

Narcissism and sociopathy are two separate personality disorders. I think Henry might have been on the narcissism spectrum, since an observer noted that Henry "needed to be seen as right in everything he did". Though it has to be said that narcissism is almost an occupational hazard of being a 16th century monarch. Many of the symptoms of NPD-- grandiosity, entitlement, and a belief in their own specialness-- coincides with what people believed to be true of royalty. If everyone in your culture is constantly telling you that how great you are and talking about "the divine right of kings" then believing you have the right to ride roughshod over everyone else is almost a reasonable response to such societal messages. I believe that Mary Queen of Scot had a degree of NPD also, though obviously not as bad as Henry. Elizabeth could certainly be a dick to people, but was far too aware of the precariousness of her position to have NPD. She couldn't afford the luxury of believing her own PR.

[@terrignazari6330]

A wonderful video, Claire. Thank you. I've also always been fascinated by Anne of Cleves. She had a number of strikes against her. In fact, about the only major advantage she really had was the fact that her brother, a German ruling prince, was a valued ally. Nevertheless, through clever strategy, an obviously good understanding of human nature and common sense, she was able to survive and attain an enviable life.

[@CindersVale]

I've always thought that Anne of Cleves had common sense. She was certainly aware of the history of Henry's former wives. I think that Anne realized that for her to survive, she needed to treat Henry in a way that was frank and showed no threat to his goals or pride. Anne was never imprisoned, that was a major accomplishment. She managed to keep clear of intrigue and lived a good life after the annulment.

[@bethjanelle20]

I admire this Anne as well. She kept her head about her, was given her own household and enough money to live comfortably without being beholden to any man. Rather, she had the protection and the respect of the King (which we all know didn't happen very often with Henry!). She had had such a dismal life in Flanders, that to now be free after six months with the King, was almost a true fairy tale. The King is said to have grown closer to her in later years and maybe even consumated their relationship then. Good for Anne!

[@cherylreed7523]

What a mess .....poot Anne ..doesn't sound like her family had the 'birds & bees' talk...Only Henry could have pulled off the 'sister'ploy.....but my God didn't she come up trumps....Genius moves on all sides...Very sad what she says about wedding ring though...heart wrenching! 😑 She really sounds like a lovely lady....thankyou Claire for another Tudor 'tasty titbit ' 😀

[@matthewpaulbond9351]

I believe Queen Mary Tudor well respected Anne of Cleves and paid for her funeral at Westminister Abbey in 1557.

[@isobelduncan]

Mary initially didn't like her but they soon became good friends.

[@daughterofpatriots3165]

Fascinating woman. Thank you. ❤️

[@danishaffer6099]

I love watching your videos!! I love the Tudor history so much and have been learning about it for years and watching your videos I have been learning soo much more!!! Thank you soo much for every video!!!!

[@jeffmode6526]

Princess Anna of Cleves got a bargain. She was wise to agree to the annulment of her marriage from Henry VIII. She got money, clothing, food, and shelter. Had she fought Henry, she may have ended up in the Tower of London. She would have been subject to her Brother, the Duke of Cleves, had she returned home. Sadly Henry VIII embarrassed her when he got the annulment of their marriage. Sad, that Princess Anna was dumped for another woman who was one of Maids of Honor.

[@carolynshaw9823]

Thank you so much Clare i really appreciate hearing about Anne of Cleaves i do get a tired of Anne Boylan and her family.

[@chiaroscuroamore]

I love learning all the little details, it makes for a fuller picture of the bigger historical events. I do feel sorry for Anne of Cleves in that she didn’t remarry. However, she’s also lucky she kept her life after being married to Henry VIII. Thank you again for another awesome video!

[@edennis3202]

It could be that she had no wish to remarry. Under English law, all of her wealth would be transferred to her husband and she wouldn't necessarily have any say in its governance. The law of coverture provided that the husband was the legal guardian of the wife, as if she were an underaged child, and that didn't change altogether until the 1970s. Shocking, isn't it?

[@pbohearn]

A lovely lady, wise beyond her years

[@suziemartin3587]

Anne of Cleves was a lady who knew how to survive and didn't want to go back to Germany because in England she could have fun, and did I remember reading that she enjoyed gambling.

[@roxymcdonald6518]

What a most gracious lady!!!

[@ksoxford9628]

I’d love to learn more about Anne of Cleves. She’s my favourite of all Henry’s wives. Can you recommend any books worth reading, Claire?

[@juliemcneely-kirwan9314]

Another excellent video!

[@ElizabethF2222]

I think Anne of Cleves was the smartest, sweetest and most gracious of all of Henry's wives! She simply gave Henry what he wanted, a divorce, and made out like a bandit in the process. Also, she didn't have to sleep with him as by that time, he was fat and his ulcer stank! She figured out her best option and ran with it. She has always been my favorite of all the wives! PS Where is Tudor kitty today??? LOL

[@RobertoLorenzPianist]

It tells a lot about Anne's character that she didn't sulk when Henry married Catherine Howard. Not many nobles would have reacted so supportive if a king dumbed them for their own Lady in waiting. Also, that Catherine Howard as a Queen was so fond of Anne shows that Anne had been a very kind queen before.

[@zeynabuthman639]

Anne got the best situation out of all his wives.

[@girlsrule722]

Ann of Cleves was a very smart lady by accepting what the King wanted and was rewarded well. She kept her head. I too really liked ready about Ann of Cleves. I remember reading Henry said when he met Ann he said I like her not. Thank you again Claire for are Tudor lesson.

[@jenaminton7009]

Anne of Cleves couldn't remarry because the King said that her betrothal to the Duke of Lorraine wasn't properly broken and legally couldn't marry again unless the Duke died. It was dissolved in Cleves, but there were a few "extra" steps that should have been dealt and they should have brought the paper with them when she journeyed to England though the betrothal was broken when she was pre teen. At least, that was what the English court was saying. Anne, herself, knew this and knew that if she ever defied the King's wishes and did remarry she was likely forfeiting everything to be with her husband and that the King could say that she was committing great sin to be with her new husband and couldn't be with him.

[@maryellen21]

Hi Clare, I recently found your channel (subscribed) and have been bingeing on videos since. I'm assuming Anne Boleyn is your favourite given the name of your channel and you said here Anne of Cleves is your 2nd. I'm curious how you would order them after that.

[@Gaylafay]

Yes, I agree, Anne of Cleves is also my second favorite queen. I didn't know she had hopes that the king would return to her. That's sad, but it's much better for her in the long run.

[@julieblackstock8650]

Anne of Cleves is my second favourite of his wifes too.. She was very clever and knew how to play the game

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Anne of Cleves, hopefully, should have considered herself LUCKY! Thank you.

[@territ7952]

Felt bad for her, but in the long run, she came out better than the rest, thanks again lady clarie for your historical insite🇬🇧💓🇬🇧💓

[@NicolaKaye]

Very informative video thank you! The Boleyn inheritance novel by Philippa Gregory gives a very sympathetic impression of Anne of Cleves which taught me things I didn’t know about Anne. I think she was a very brave woman who, although frustrated in her desire to be a good queen for her new country, rose above the challenges posed to her by the annulment (rejection from the king and estrangement from her family) to live a life that was unconventional in her time (rich and without a husband but valued and influential to her ex (royal) step children who reportedly held her in high regard despite differences in religion. She’s a bit of a heroine of mine now. ❤️

[@Ladybug-uf7uh]

Either she was an awfully smart woman, or dumb luck was with her... no one, of course, will ever know what she really thought or how cunning she might have been. But with a "friend" like Henry, who needed an enemy? Sounds like she really didn't want to return to her family, staying an independent woman. Thank you for this woman's story and the lesson for this day. At least there were no deaths this time...

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Of all of his wives, Anne of Cleves is the most tragic of all. Poor woman. She learned the hard way never to marry a divorced and formerly married man. However, she was wisest and best because she never remarried and never succumbed to peer pressure. Good on her. Henry didn’t deserve her.

[@barbararoca6847]

I also really enjoy reading about Anne of Cleves. It seems that both Mary and Elizabeth were fond of her. The way she handled the Christmas meeting with Katherine Howard was comemdable. books would you recommend about Anne of Cleves? I tend to believe that Anne wasn't that naive about what went on between men and women. Since the first meeting of Henry and Anne, it seems to me that while she treated Henry with the utmost respect, she may not have found him attractive. Henry would not have been pleased about her lack of response. So Anne decides to place the blame of "thing much going on" on herself. This leaves Henry's pride in tact. Since she was intelligently agreeing about the divorce (who would want to end up like the other three wives?) she thought she wasn't doing too badly by the whole affair. It seems to be she turned out to be the most fortunate of all of them. I so enjoy your KZbin programs.

[@daver8521]

Anne was a smart cookie!

[@marymoriarity2555]

Very interesting video. Beauty is in eye of the beholder. Ironic she never remarried after nullification of her marriage. Smart lady agreeing to his terms. She kept her head intact. She must’ve been pleasant if she were indeed so well liked by others at court. Henry was like a serial killer enabled by his position. I was surprised Snn of Cleved was awarded the Boleyn property. How many houses did she need?

[@debbie74dj]

I want to know how she escaped being accused of adultery or treason like the others. How did she manage to keep her head and find so much favor and love from K8?

[@wendychavez5348]

I'm no expert, but I suspect it's because she declined all suitors subsequent to Henry VIII. She was never known to dally or have inappropriate conversations with anyone, which may explain why she thought (or even hoped) he might return to her eventually. Not an easy road, but apparently a safe one.

[@edennis3202]

@@wendychavez5348 The unmarried state was a much easier road than marriage in those days. As a rich unmarried woman, she had almost complete freedom. If she married, she would legally have become the ward of her husband, and all of her possessions would be under his control. The "law of coverture" goes back to Norman times. It remained in force until the 1970s. I believe that wills could be drawn up to protect a woman's control of her inheritance from a husband, but I doubt that Henry would have made any such protections for Anne. He believed that a husband was the wife's lord in all things.

[@terrignazari6330]

@@edennis3202 that is exactly what I was thinking. For a 16th century woman of means, remaining single was far preferable to marriage.

[@elsab2710]

Debbie Jolley. I thought that the marriage was never consummated so therefore a divorce would never be fought, not even by the Catholic church. There was no need to invent adultery or treason charges.

[@debbie74dj]

@@elsab2710 but Henry VIII accused other wives of adultery and made up things about them. They may not have consummated the marriage but there was nothing stopping him from saying they had and the accusations

[@ellendelaney8109]

Ann of Cleves comes across as really nice and clever knew how to handle Henry VIII

[@verablexitasap858]

For some reason I thought Anne of C was still not allowed to remarry but just still had other privileges and houses

[@mariamarchese8405]

I didn't know she expected to have Henry back. We can only speculate she was "the smart wife" of the six, as some comments imply, unless we have source to prove it. I would not underestimate the love an unexperienced Christian princess thought she owed her husband, with whom she was supposed to live all her life. If it was not out of love that she wished Henry back, then, it must have been out of pride, and how can we blame her.

[@sandrablanchette2239]

At always liked and of Cleves. But the phrase dodged a bullet comes into my head whenever I think of her

[@sarahna8698]

Hi Claire, would it be possible to make a video about Anne of Cleves’ appearance some time? :) I simply cannot believe that she was as unattractive as Henry made her out to be, especially considering that their first meeting was extremely humiliating for Henry (or so I’ve read)

[@vilstef6988]

No less humiliating to Anne for that matter, with Henry tantruming "I like her not, I like her not, I like her not."

[@omfug7148]

judging by the Holbein portrait she looked perfectly fine IMO

[@sarahna8698]

Gene Miller I believe he said these words to Cromwell when they were in private. I’ve read that he never displayed his true feelings for Anne nor showed his distaste in public, though I could be wrong.

[@sarahna8698]

omfug that’s what I think too! I wonder whether Holbein flattered her in his portrait, I doubt it though, he would’ve risked his head if he’d misrepresented the king’s possible future bride in that way. And there’s no record of Holbein being punished for his portrait of Anne

[@vilstef6988]

@@sarahna8698 I'm not sure when he said the words, or the context. But they do sound like Henry the bratty, petulant child who always got his own way. The words sound in character, and I agree, he probably did not say them in public.

[@carolynambrose8194]

She's my second favorite wife too!

[@cindyrobinson3077]

I think she's fascinating also! Some day when I go to England I would like to visit her house. I watched a KZbin video of a tour

[@jamieyoho2310]

Anne of Cleves was VERY clever in her wording of the kings attentions. By playing dumb she didn't emasculate him or put into question his virility, while still letting her ladies know there was no hanky panky going on.

[@amyrat151]

Very few people in Henry's court "won," however Anne of Cleves did. I'm actually not sure which wife I admire the most. Probably Catherine of Aragon.

[@ReadingUnderTheStars.3637]

I just finished reading Alison Weir fictional work. On Anne of cleves that suggested that Anne gave birth to a child ( boy) in her early teens and that her mom covered it up... I honestly was thinking was there even a remotely a possibility that that actually happened...

[@TheCuppycakedelight5]

Anne of Cleves ,in my opinion deserves for her hometown Cleves to create a cake named for her. I heard that fact on Rick Steves' Europe.

[@6falconsue]

I'm not so sure that Anne of Cleves was entirely disappointed that Henry did not return to her. Just saying...they did seem to have a cordial relationship, and I am sure Anne wanted to keep it that way after what happened to Henry's previous wives and the next one :(

[@frightbat208]

My opinion: He was impotent and Anne was not willing to flirt and stir the sexual fires of the King enough for him to get there. Little Katherine was though! 🤢 Henry was saving face by suddenly being concerned with pre-contracts. Anne was smart enough to play along, pretend innocence and take the deal. She is my favourite of his wives.

[@calliecraft5780]

Love ur videos!! :)

[@mlboone3028]

I’m reading weir’s new book and it suggests Anna had a child in secret before her marriage to Henry !!!!!!! Omg I’m really having a hard time finishing the book because it’s just unimaginable

[@kathrynroberts248]

I’ve always wondered if Anne of Cleaves got such a good severance package for divorcing him so quietly- just because Catherine of Aragon wouldn’t. He was so happy NOT to have another Catherine on his hands. Would Catherine have been treated so generously if she’d obeyed him..?

[@warrengwonka2479]

They had a very happy marriage for almost twenty years. She didn’t seem to mind mistresses, and could rule the kingdom in Henry’s absence. But she could not provide him with the male heir he desperately needed.

[@evechewietan]

@@warrengwonka2479 Unfair to compare the two as Catherine was married in real terms and was a real wife. For Anne there never was sexual union so she was the luckiest lady in the world!!

[@warrengwonka2479]

@@evechewietan Quite true, but he and his girls had a very friendly relationship with The King’s Beloved Sister.

[@melindastoessner72]

There was an advantage, to keeping on the kings good side. For Anne, to be called the kings sister, she would be able to hang out, go to party's and other goings on at court. She got multiple houses, furniture, and housewares. Wow! She must have had a good reputation to proceed her, and after the marriage was annulled, a good reputation afterwards.

[@lisabelmontage]

I think Anne of Cleves, was a practical and smart woman. Anne found her place with Henry as it were and was able to go to court as his sister. My History teacher said that Anne was very happy after the breakup. I think she was. Strange as that sounds. Claire when you have time could you investigate the recipe for Anne of Cleaves cake please.

[@jillianaprati108]

Love Anne of Cleves. What an interesting story she has!

[@christenebarnett6923]

Hi, I am wondering about the King's sister part. Would she have been allowed to wed again or possibly return to her home as unwed?

[@dorianburdett9424]

I cannot remember where I read it, but there was the provision that if she left England her properties reverted to the King. But I am not sure about marriage.

[@astrinymris9953]

@@dorianburdett9424 That may be one reason Anne believed that Henry might take her back again someday. "He doesn't want me to leave England? Aww, he wants me to stay where he can easily visit me; he DOES love me!"

[@wendychavez5348]

She didn't want to return home, and may have maneuvered to be sure that she be allowed to remain in England. Required to remain was apparently an acceptable compromise, even if she did have to remain unwed too.

[@marionarnott750]

I think Anne was free to marry as Henry was.

[@christenebarnett6923]

Thanks for the info, I see and read a lot of Tudor period and it is conflicting.

[@stompthedragon4010]

It seemed that Henry eventually regretted anulling the marriage. At least the way it was portrayed in the series. It would be very interesting to know more of her life.

[@gidzmobug2323]

Wonder how much Anne or her family knew about Henry's past marriages. Or the decision to have Anne declared "The King's Sister".

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

I wonder if Catherine of Aragon would've received similar treatment had she conceded to Henry?

[@joansmith3296]

If only every divorce could be handled so pleasantly. Anne must have been a very smart woman. She might not have been queen but she kept her head and made a fortune for keeping her mouth shut. Sortof like a non-disclosure agreement with Henry.

[@kkay3784]

Perhaps you can clarify what you mean by stating that Anne of Cleves could NOT have been sexually naive despite her testimony as to what she regarded as consummation. Do you think it could be that she simply thought that the behavior Henry extended was enough to make them man and wife and that sexual activity between them wasn't all that necessary? I wondered this after you related that she continued to believe herself to be his wife, even after the annulment. As to her disappointment that Henry didn't renew their marriage after Katherine Howard's execution, is it known why she felt confident that she could manage his often demonstrated willingness to turn on a favored individual? Are any of these questions even answerable?

[@leticiagarcia9025]

Anne of Cleves is also my second favorite wife; followed by ; Catherine Parr and Catherine of Aragon. Katherine Howard’s tragic life makes me sad. I wish I could go back in time so I can give her a hug. Jane Seymour did not impress me.

[@scottibrown3274]

Of Henry’s wives, Anne of Cleves is certainly one that is fascinating to me. Of his wives, she was easily the luckiest, receiving one hell of a divorce settlement and wasn’t executed, but died of natural causes. Even though she was smart and clever to concede to the divorce, I can’t help but wonder why she didn’t put up a fight. I’ve read that when trying to annul a marriage based on the grounds that the marriage was unconsummated, women were subjected to a virginity test. I find it odd how Anne of Cleves wasn’t subjected to that kind of test, especially since Henry was saying their marriage was unconsummated. I know Alison Weir wrote and published a book called Anna of Kleve and it mentioned, albeit I think the book is historical fiction so I’m not sure if it’s true, that Anne had had an illegitimate child before her marriage to Henry, which is why she conceded to the divorce without a fight. And it’s said that on their wedding night, Henry felt her stomach and her chest and knew that she “wasn’t a virgin”. I don’t know if the illegitimate child theory is true, but I do believe that Anne knew what her role as a Queen was (ie. bare a male heir), but was sexually naive.

[@janebennet1046]

A lucky escape for Anne!

[@lexomil1414]

Anne of Cleves is the most lucky of the 6 wives, she not only survived but lived well and was loved and respected. If Katherine Parr had not died in birth she would have also been lucky. I was surprised in your video because I did not know she expected Henry to change his mind and marry her again after Katherine Howard's death. Could it be that she had feelings for him? or was it the position of Queen of England that she was missing?

[@GoGreen1977]

Did the Duke of Lorraine ever marry? I assume he did, so the pre-contract wasn't that binding. And if Anne was free to marry someone else after the annulment, then the officials in the English court didn't believe the pre-contract with Lorraine was all that binding, either. So much for one reason for the annulment.

[@susannebemis3311]

If there was an earthquake that day, it was Anne heaving a sigh of relief!

[@keepitsimple4629]

Henry was kinder to Anne of Cleves than any of the wives he claimed to love.