How old were his wives when he married them!. I always heard that in those times, girls were married off very young, like in their teens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>History> Question about Henry VIII?Question: Question about Henry VIII!? How old were his wives when he married them!. I always heard that in those times, girls were married off very young, like in their teens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Yes, both boys and girls were married young in those days, particularly if they were from the wealthy classes, and definitely if they were royal!. They would be political marriages, and the youngsters wouldn't have a say in the matter!. The poorer people were luckier to marry later in life and, probably, choose their own partners, as they didn't have the lands and wealth to barter with!. Often, princesses and princes would be betrothed in their cradles, thereby allying one kingdom to another and guaranteeing peace and prosperity!. This didn't always come about as planned, and some poor royal children found themselves betrothed several times before they were of age! However, if they were very young, consummation of the marriage wouldn't be expected to take place until they were old enough to do the deed and understand it!. However, in Henry's case, the only marriages that were "arranged" for him were his first, to Katherine of Aragon, his older brother's widow, and his fourth, to Anne of Cleves!. The rest of his wives he married for lust or love, and for a son and heir!. He was King of England then, so could do what he liked!. Henry VIII was born on 28 June 1491!. He first married Katherine of Aragon!. (She had been married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, first, and he died young!. She had been betrothed to him from an early age!. Katherine stayed in England and went on to marry Henry!.) Katherine was born in 1485; she and Henry married in June, 1509, making him 18 and her 24!. The marriage lasted, she claimed, until her death in 1536!. Henry claimed differently; he and his next wife were married in 1533!. The second wife was Anne Boleyn, and she was a lady in waiting to Katherine of Aragon!. Henry fell in love with her and pursued her for six years until she agreed to marry him!. She didn't want to be his mistress, but his wife and queen of England!. We don't know when Anne was born; it could be anywhere around 1501-1507, as there are no records!. It's possible that Henry began to lust after her in about 1525, which would make her around 18-24!. Henry was then 34!. Anne was beheaded in 1536 on false charges of witchcraft, treason and adultery, which were untrue!. In fact, she didn't give Henry the son he wanted!. Now he was free to marry his third wife, Jane Seymour!. Jane was born around 1508 and, like her predecessor, was lady in waiting to the current queen - who was Anne Boleyn!. Jane and Henry married in 1536, making her about 28 and Henry 45!. Jane died shortly after the birth of their son, in 1537!. The next wife was the only other royal lady, apart from the first Katherine, Henry married!. This was Anne of Cleves, born in 1515!. They tied the knot in 1540; Anne was 25, Henry 49!. The marriage didn't last long - only six months - and was annulled, because Henry didn't like her!. Henry then married young Catherine Howard!. She was a cousin of Anne Boleyn's!. Catherine was only a teenager and, again, we don't know the exact date of her birth!. It could have been 1520/25!. At the time of their marriage in 1540, she was about 15-20 to Henry's age of 49, and he was now fat and ill!. Catherine, perhaps understandably, had at least one affair; Henry found out and had her beheaded in 1542!. The final wife was Katherine Parr, who was a widow!. Henry was 52 and she was about 31 when they married in 1543!. Henry died in 1547, aged 56, and Katherine outlived him!. So, apart from wife no 1, Henry was free to marry whom he chose, as he was king!. The subsequent ladies didn't have so much choice, but you will see that they were not royal (apart from Anne of Cleves) and were not promised to him from an early age!. Wife no 2, the ambitious Anne, was helped on her way by her powerful relatives; the same, I believe, happened with Jane Seymour, although her relatives were made more powerful on her marriage!. Anne of Cleves' marriage was for political and religious reasons, and Catherine Howard's was again a promotion of her family's interests!. The last wife seems to have married Henry in spite of loving another at the time - but when the king said, "Jump!", you asked, "How high!?"Www@QuestionHome@Com Katharine Howard, the youngest, was between 17 and 22 (her exact birth year is not known)!. And the age of nobility marrying vs!. the age of women in other classes was different!. Henry first married his brother's widow who was clearly older, and then one of her maids and so on!.!.!.He married KH for her youth and beauty!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Catherine of Aragon, (1485 - 1536), Married 11Th June 1509!. Anne Boleyn, (1507 - 1536), Married, 25Th January 1533!. Jane Seymour, (1509 - 1537), Married 30Th May 1536!. Anne of Cleves, (1515 - 1557), Married 6Th January 1540!. Catherine Howard, (1521 - 1542), Married 28TH July 1540!. Catherine Parr, (1512 - 1548), Married 12TH July 1543!.Www@QuestionHome@Com The youngest one was in her twenties!. The rest were older!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |