Sunday 20 September 2015

Did Henry ever really marry for love?

When thinking about each of Heney's wives I wondered if any of them truly loved Henry?

Catherine of Aragon: Widowed from her marriage to Arthur, she was in limbo land for a few years. Henry asked Catherine to marry him a few years after Arthur's death. Was this a relief for Catherine rather than true love? I think so. However I do believe that Catherine grew to love Henry.

Anne Boleyn: It took Anne and Henry six years before they could marry, but was it love or ambition that enabled Anne to wait so long? Sources say that Anne was ambitious but I wonder was she trying to do one better than her sister Mary?

Jane Seymour: Was Jane as equally ambitious as Anne but more subtle in her approach? Henry is buried beside Jane in St. George's chapel Windsor which sums up his feelings for her (or was it because she gave him a son?). But was Jane really in love?

Anne of Cleves: This was an arranged marriage with the couple not even meeting before the wedding. I think I am safe to say here that this was not love on either side.

Catherine Howard: Henry was smitten with Catherine, but as she was so much younger than Henry, and him fat and ageing, and Catherine committing adultery while married to Henry, I can't see this being true love on Catherine's side either.

Catherine Parr: I feel that this marriage grew into a fondness rather than true love. Henry was certainly impotent by this time in his life so there was probably no physical relationship. It's believed that Catherine wanted to marry Thomas Seymour which she did after Henry's death, so Catherine in my view, wanted to marry Thomas rather than Henry.

I would love to know your thoughts on whether you think any of Henry's wives truly loved him?

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