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Anne of Cleves

Anne (German: Anna) was born on 22 September 1515, in Düsseldorf. She was the second daughter of John III, Duke of Jülich jure uxoris, Cleves, Berg jure uxoris, and his wife, Maria, Duchess of Jülich-Berg. Her father was influenced by Erasmus and followed a path within the Reformation: Anne grew up a Lutheran.



In 1527, at the age of 11, Anne was betrothed to Francis, the son and heir of the Duke of Lorraine. However, Francis was only 10, therefore the betrothal was considered unofficial and was cancelled in 1535.

 In October 1939, a marriage treaty overseen by Thomas Cromwell was signed between Cleves and England and one of the Duke's sisters was to become Henry VIII’s fourth wife. Hans Holbein the Younger was sent to Duren to paint portraits of Anne and her sister, Amalia. Anne was the chosen sister: she was of middling beauty and had a very assured and resolute face; she was fair haired, with a high forehead, heavy lidded eyes and pointed chin.

 Henry VIII met privately with Anne on New Year's Day 1540, in Rochester. Following a courtly-love tradition, he went into Anne's room disguised to surprise her. Anne didn't recognise the King and it is said he was put off the marriage from then on (I like her not!). On 6 January 1540, Anne married Henry VIII and became Queen of England.

 Henry was disappointed with Anne and couldn't bring himself to consummate the wedding. He complained about her body odour and her sagging breasts, even suggesting she was not a virgin. His roving eye had already rested in one of Anne's pretty and young ladies-in-waiting, Catherine Howard.

 Anne was commanded to leave the court on June 1540 and on 6 July, she was informed of her husband's decision to reconsider the marriage. Shortly afterwards, Anne was asked for her consent to an annulment, to which she agreed. The marriage was annulled on 9 July on the grounds of non-consummation and her pre-contract to Francis of Lorraine.

 On 28 July 1540, Henry VIII married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

 The former Queen received a generous settlement, became good friends with the King and lived a peaceful life in England. When her health began to fail, Anne moved to Chelsea Old Manor, one of her houses. There, on July 1557, she dictated her last will. She was remembered by everyone who served her as a particularly generous and easy-going mistress.

 Anne died at Chelsea Old Manor on 16 July 1557, eight weeks short of her 42nd birthday. She was the last of Henry VIII's wife to die, outliving him by 10 years and his last wife, Catherine Parr, by 9 years.

Anne of Cleves
Hans Holbein the Younger
(c. 1539)

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