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Article: Anne of Cleves, Queen of England: Retha Warnicke uncovers the real reason for Henry VIII's divorce from his fourth wife.(Pen Portraits)
- Article from:
- History Review
- Article date:
- March 1, 2005
- Author:
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In October 1537, shortly after Jane Seymour's death, Henry VIII's privy councilors, including Sir Thomas Cromwell, began canvassing noble families on the continent for another wife for him. After considering various candidates, Henry chose Anne of Cleves. The controversial issues concerning his fourth marriage are: his reasons for selecting her, the validity of Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait, Henry's motives for greeting her in disguise, the grounds for their annulment, and Anne's reaction to it.
An Arranged Marriage
Born on 22 September 1515, Anne was the daughter of John III, duke of Cleves, and Maria, heiress of Juliers. Of Henry's wives, only ...