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 private...