The Six Wives of Henry VIII

Summary (from the publisher): The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.

 

Review: This joint biography of King Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) and his six wives is Alison Weir at her best. Informative yet absorbing, this work of non-fiction covers the fascinating marital history of England's most frequently married king to six distinct women: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. Famously, of course, Henry divorced two wives, beheaded two others, lost one in childbirth, and was survived by his last wife.

 

As Henry VIII's many wives have been the subject of volumes of works of non-fiction and fiction alike, I was initially unsure if it was worth investing the time to read yet another dense biography. And while the story of Henry and his wives is still the same tale, Weir adds to the story in her characteristic way and expanded my knowledge of the royal family during Henry's reign. Weir presents the main cast of characters in all their flawed glory, at times with humorous results such as when Henry was shopping for his fourth wife and declared "I am big in person and have need of a big wife" (382).  

 

It's of very little wonder that Henry gained a poor reputation as a spouse, for 'the King 'either putteth away or killeth his wives'" (484). Although this book is ostensibly a biography of his wives, in many ways it functions as Henry VIII's biography, as it follows his relationship with his first wife from the time of their meeting when he was a young child to his death when he was married to his sixth wife. Although Henry could be cold and ruthless he could also be generous and loving. Yet given that only two of his wives outlived him, the odds were not decidedly not in their favor. Even for those with fairly expansive history of King Henry VIII will enjoy this expertly written biography.

 

Stars: 4.5

 

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