HUMP DAY HISTORY LESSON

Some of my favorite expat blogs like Betsy Transatlantically have a "theme" for certain days of the week, just to keep things interesting and consistent for readers.  I would like to institute the same thing on my blog!  Which is why I have decided to start  "Hump Day History" and "Foodie Fridays" so I can dish about some of my favorite things-- storytelling and food!

Here we go!

The Six Wives of Henry VIII

I know I'm about 5 years late but I have fallen in love with the Showtime series The Tudors.  The series was 4 seasons long and chronicles the most infamous King of England.



King Henry VII

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a young King Henry.  Sooo hot, want to touch the hiney.  *ahem* I mean he is a fine actor.

Most Americans don't know a whole lot about the history of the English monarchy aside from the fact that we were once under British rule.  Having grown up in a country with no monarchy, I am utterly fascinated by it and by the rich history of absolute monarchies in England and elsewhere.

Before King Henry VIII, England and most of their European neighbors were Catholic nations and all religious laws were overseen by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.  This wasn't really a problem until King Henry VIII decided around 1530 he wanted a divorce from his wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon.  Though a pious and honorable wife, she was the ripe old age of 42, had not bore him a son, and he had his eye on a younger model--Lady Anne Boleyn.

The King and his aides tried to convince the Pope and the holy men of Rome and England that his marriage to Catherine was illegitimate because they had married against God's will.  Catherine was briefly married to Henry's own brother (King Arthur) and as it says in Leviticus 20:21 "If a man takes his brother's wife, it is an impurity: he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless."  King Henry asserted that Catherine and Arthur had consummated their marriage and thus God was punishing King Henry and Catherine for their sin by not giving them a son.
Much to the King's anger, the Pope and holy men of Rome and England refused to grant the annulment on the grounds that the marriage was, in fact, legitimate under God's holy law.

King Henry VIII shocked Rome and his European peers by announcing he would separate England from the Catholic Church and become supreme the head of a separate church--The Church of England.  Not only would he be able to make political decisions for his country, but he could also decide on all ecclesiastical matters, as he believed he was meant to be the human decision-maker on earth of God's will.

As the head of the Church of England, he annulled the marriage between he and Queen Catherine, banishing her from court.  Their daughter, Mary, was deemed illegitimate and sent away.  (However later King Henry made her legitimate and she ruled as Queen of England for a short time).

Thus began a long history of love and tragedy with his subsequent 5 wives.

1. Queen Catherine of Aragon (married 24 years).  Divorced
   They had one child, Mary, who was Queen of England for 5 years
2. Queen Anne Boleyn (married 3 years).  Executed
   They had one child, Elizabeth. Elizabeth went on to be Queen for 44 years.
   Anne was very passionate and outspoken at times, traits not expected of a Queen
   By the time Anne was accused of incest and adultery, the King already had his eyes on his next wife.
3. Queen Jane Seymour (married less than 2 years).  Died after childbirth
   Queen Jane finally bore King Henry his much desired son and heir.
   She died 2 weeks after the birth from infection.
   It has been said that King Henry had a special affection for Jane and felt she was his "true wife."
   She is the only wife to be buried next to King Henry
4. Queen Anne of Cleves (married 6 months).  Divorced.
   No children
   King Henry mourned over the loss of Jane for three years before his advisors suggested a marriage for foreign alliance.  The King did not love her and didn't find her attractive.  The political reasons for the union were becoming less necessary, so they divorced.
5. Queen Kathryn Howard (married 2 years).  Executed.
   No children.
   The Queen was accused of adultery and promiscuity before marriage.  After investigation, the rumors proved to be true and Queen Kathryn was executed
6. Queen Katherine Parr (married 4 years).  Widowed
   No children.
   Queen Katherine was his 6th and final wife before his death in 1547

I hope this short lesson was interesting and informative!  I highly recommend The Tudors series if you can get a copy on DVD or on the internet.  Though the writers did use some artistic license with the story, much of the historical facts remain intact.  Plus, Jonathan Rhys Meyers ain't too bad on the eyes.  Sorry, I had to say it.

Stay tuned for more history!

Who is your favorite historical figure?



Visa Update:  My case has been assigned to an Entry Clearance Officer and she emailed me today requesting one additional supporting doc, which I sent.  Now I'm glued to my email waiting for updates!