Friday, January 6, 2012

Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves Wed

On January 6, 1540 Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves on the Feast of the Epiphany. He had misgivings about this marital arrangement--largely because of Anne's appearance and would soon turn his wrath on Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex who had arranged the marriage.

Anne of Cleves survived the marriage, while the Earl of Essex did not. Henry named Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex in April of 1540 and by June of the same year he had him arrested and confined in the Tower of London. Cromwell survived only as long as the marriage, which was annulled in July of 1540 so Henry could marry Catherine Howard.

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