This document introduces Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, who was arranged to marry Henry for a political alliance between England and Spain. It then summarizes the other wives: Anne Boleyn, who Henry had an affair with and divorced Catherine to marry; Jane Seymour, who gave birth to a son but died; Anne of Cleves, who Henry found ugly and divorced after a brief marriage; Catherine Howard, who Henry beheaded for adultery; and Katherine Parr, Henry's final wife and widow who nursed him in old age until his death.

1. Catherine of Aragon
First wife
My name is Catherine and I’m from
Spain – in fact I’m Spanish Royalty.
My parents arranged the marriage to
make an alliance with England, as I
am Spanish royal blood. I was queen
from 1509 to 1533. I was supposed to
marry Henry’s brother, but he died
and now Henry is using this against
me.
I have been a good wife. I once led
the army of England against
Scotland and won at the Battle of
Flodden Field.
I have had trouble having children
and to be honest I am now too old
to have any more! Although Henry
and I do have a daughter called
Mary. Henry is looking to divorce me
because I can’t give him a son.
I want the country to stay Catholic.
Anne Boleyn
Second wife
My name is Anne and I’m from England. I
work as Catherine of Aragon’s Lady-in-
Waiting.
King Henry and I were having an affair
behind Catherine’s back.
She is old and past it and I am young and
beautiful. I was queen from 1533 to 1536. I
am pregnant at the moment, and Henry
hopes it will be a male who can be king.
He needs to marry me before the birth in
order to make sure the child can become
king. The only problem is, the Pope in
Rome won’t let Henry marry me! Henry
doesn’t know yet that it will be his second
daughter, Elizabeth.
I am worried that if I can’t have a son then
Henry will have my head cut off so he can
have a different wife who will provide a
male heir! I am very Protestant, so Henry
likes me.

2. Jane Seymour
Third wife
My name is Jane and I’m from
England. I am a humble Lady-in-
Waiting. King Henry said I was
very beautiful and promised that
I would be Queen. He married
me and I was, from 1536 to 1537.
He married me to make an
alliance with a powerful
Protestant family in England.
He said he would stop at nothing
to have his son and heir and
complained that Anne has only
given him a daughter named
Elizabeth. I am pregnant with a
boy, who will be called Edward!
I am worried that I may die in
childbirth though, as I am weak
and sickly.
Anne of Cleves
Fourth wife
My name is Anne of Cleves and I am
a German princess.
King Henry needs me in an arranged
marriage to gain an alliance in case
he goes to war with Catholic Spain. I
was queen for only 4 months in 1540.
I don’t like music and literature; I am
more into domestic chores. I am past
having kids though as I am older
than Henry and don’t speak much
English. I don’t really fancy him. I am
worried he may annul the marriage
though, because he seems to find
me ugly. On our wedding day he
referred to me as the horse from
Flanders!
I am from a Protestant kingdom.

3. Catherine Howard
5th wife
My name is Catherine Howard
and I am the cousin of Anne
Boleyn. I am from the same family.
I am a Lady in Waiting and born in
England.
I am pretty silly. Henry fancied me
because I was young and
beautiful, but I enjoy flirting and I
can get a bit emotional.
I always have men, particular
Henry, showering me with gifts. I
love all the attention I get, but
he’s just a bit too old for me! I was
queen of England in 1540 but my
rule ended in 1541, when Henry
found out I was secretly flirting
with my old boyfriend, so he cut
my head off like he did my cousin!
Katherine Parr
6th (and final) wife
My name is Katherine and I’m
from England – I am a widow
and have had 3 previous
husbands, but that has made me
rich. I am Protestant.
I am secretly in love with Jane
Seymour’s brother; he likes me
too but so does the King!
King Henry is old and needs
someone to look after him. I am
a widow and I share Henry’s love
of the theatre, books and music.
I could read to him when his
eyesight fails. I married him in
1543 and only stopped being
queen in 1547, when Henry died.
After he died I was be given a
palace with lots of land to live