SIX WIVES of the King
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Other spellings of name : Catherine, Catharine, Katharine, Catalina Appearance: Light complexioned and strawberry blonde hair due to her Lancastrian heritage. She was considered very beautiful in her youth. Called the "most beautiful creature in the world", and was reflected later that "few could compete with the Queen in her prime". It is thought she was under 5 feet tall. The years and repeated childbearing were not kind to her and she became overweight. Character: more reserved than Henry but strong willed and deeply pious. Everything about her was regal and her graciousness & charm engendered a great love from the people who served her. Henry himself said she was "a proud, stubborn woman of very high courage"
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2. Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy Other spellings of name : Anna Bolina, Nan Bullen. Appearance: She is of middling stature, with a swarthy complexion, long neck, wide mouth, bosom not much raised, and in fact has nothing but the Kings great appetite, and her eyes, which are black and beautiful - and take great effect on those who served the Queen when she was on the throne. [The Venetian ambassador describes Anne, 1532] Character: Mostly everyone was amazed by her talents but most of all of her charm. People described her as quick-tempered and spirited.
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3. Jane Seymour: Bound To Obey and Serve Other spellings of name: Ionna Appearance: Was of medium height,with a pale, nearly white complexion. Ambassador Chapuys said "She is of middle height and nobody thinks that she has much beauty. Her complexion is so whitish that she may be called rather pale ..." The French ambassador thought of her as plain. Character: Henry VIII would remember her as "the fairest, the most discreet, and the most meritorious" of all his wives. Cardinal Pole called her "full of goodness". Chapuys said "...she is not very intelligent and is said to be rather haughty". She was a devout catholic, not fond of pageantry but certainly politically ambitious.
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4. Anne of Cleves: God Send Me Well To Keep Other spellings of name: Anna von Jülich-Kleve-Berg Appearance: Though unfairly characterized by many as Henry's "ugly wife" because of his dismissal of her, Anne of Cleves was considered by many to be as handsome as other women. She was described by the French Ambassador Marillac, as tall and thin, "of middling beauty, with a determined and resolute countenance." Character: There was a French report that the English valued her "as one of the most sweet, gracious and humane queens they had had." Later in life she was described as "A lady of right commendable regard, courteous, gentle and a good housekeeper and very bountiful to her servants"
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5. Katherine Howard: No Other Will But His Other spellings of name : Katheryn, Kathryn, Kitty Appearance: Legend has it that she was Henry's most beautiful queen. What ever the truth, all her critics agree that she had auburn hair, was small, plump and vivacious overflowing with so much vitality. Petite & pretty, she enjoyed beautiful clothes, dancing and music. According to French Ambassador Marillac, she was "a young lady of extraordinary beauty" and of "superlative grace." Character: Sweet & kind natured. She brought Princess Elizabeth forward, befriending her and calling her "kinswoman". When hearing the Lady Salisbury was in the tower she sent bonnets and warm clothing and also pleaded for the lady's life by request of Princess Mary. Some say she was empty headed and frivolous, and in intellect and experience, she certainly was no match for the people and intrigues surrounding her. She was VERY young and impulsive.
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6. Catherine Parr: To Be Useful In All That I Do Other spellings of name : Katharine, Kateryn, Cate Appearance: Thought to stand about 5'10", Catherine would have been the tallest of Henry VIII's six wives. The colour of her hair is disputed since in some portraits it is shown as an auburn--or even deeper brown--colour. Dark hair is a striking feature in most of the best-known portraits of Catherine Parr. Character: Survivalist, devoted to her husband and family, intelligent, well educated, strong in her faith, adored by all three of Henry's children. Believed that women should be allowed to deepen their knowledge of 'protestantism,' and to read and write devotional works as well. Praised for her "certain virtue, wisdom and gentleness."At times obsessively pious to the point of self-loathing, she would list her sins in a journal. Lord Chancellor Thomas Wriothesley commented that Henry "Had never a wife more agreeable to his heart."
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