Instructions
This week, we are learning about King Henry VIII and his famous six wives. Use books or the internet to research each of his wives and complete the fact files below. Then, think about what you have learned and answer the question at the end.
Henry VIII's Wives: A Fact File
Fill in the details for each of Henry's wives.
1. Catherine of Aragon
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Anne Boleyn
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Jane Seymour
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Anne of Cleves
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Catherine Howard
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Catherine Parr
- Married to Henry: _______________________
- Children with Henry: ____________________
- Fate: _________________________________
- Interesting Fact: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why Was Marriage So Important?
In the space below, write 3 sentences explaining why marriage was so important to King Henry VIII.
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Answer Key
Henry VIII's Wives: A Fact File (Completed)
1. Catherine of Aragon
- Married to Henry: 1509 - 1533
- Children with Henry: Mary I (plus several other children who died in infancy)
- Fate: Divorced
- Interesting Fact: She was first married to Henry's older brother, Arthur. She fought hard to prevent the divorce and insisted she was the true queen until her death.
2. Anne Boleyn
- Married to Henry: 1533 - 1536
- Children with Henry: Elizabeth I
- Fate: Beheaded
- Interesting Fact: To marry Anne, Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and created the Church of England.
3. Jane Seymour
- Married to Henry: 1536 - 1537
- Children with Henry: Edward VI
- Fate: Died (from complications after childbirth)
- Interesting Fact: She was the only one of Henry's wives to receive a queen's funeral, and he chose to be buried beside her.
4. Anne of Cleves
- Married to Henry: 1540 (for 6 months)
- Children with Henry: None
- Fate: Divorced (marriage annulled)
- Interesting Fact: After their quick divorce, she and Henry became good friends. She was given the title "King's Beloved Sister" and lived a comfortable life in England.
5. Catherine Howard
- Married to Henry: 1540 - 1541
- Children with Henry: None
- Fate: Beheaded
- Interesting Fact: She was a cousin of Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn. She was only a teenager when she married the much older king.
6. Catherine Parr
- Married to Henry: 1543 - 1547
- Children with Henry: None
- Fate: Survived
- Interesting Fact: She was a kind stepmother to Henry's three children and helped reunite the family. She outlived Henry and married again after his death.
Why Was Marriage So Important? (Example Answer)
Marriage was essential to Henry VIII because he desperately needed to produce a male heir to secure the Tudor dynasty and prevent a civil war after his death. His marriages were also important for creating political alliances with other powerful European nations. Lastly, Henry also sought a wife for personal companionship and, at times, married for love.