Could ANNE OF CLEVES have remarried? Six wives documentary. The story of the Tudors. Flander’s Mare

Could ANNE OF CLEVES have remarried after her annulment? Best known as the fourth wife of Henry VIII, the story of the Tudors took an unexpected turn when the German Anne of Cleves was unceremoniously dumped by her husband in 1540 so that he could marry her lady-in-waiting, Katherine Howard. She had been Queen of England for barely six months. Anne never remarried, but could she have followed Henry’s example and done so if she’d wished and if so, at what point in time might she have been able to do this? In this six wives documentary from History Calling we’ll take an in-depth look at the annulment of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves, examining the reasons the King claimed they weren’t married, including her childhood precontract with Francis I, Duke of Lorraine (who later married Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan), Henry’s inability to consummate the marriage and his reluctance to marry Anne in the first place. We’ll then ask whether Anne was free, according to the laws of England as well as those of the Catholic Church (which was the religion of most of Europe at this stage) to remarry and examine the practical and financial problems which would have ensued if she had tried to do so. We’ll also look at the life of Anne of Cleves after her annulment, consider why life as an unmarried woman in Tudor England may have been preferable to marriage and learn why she might rightfully be regarded as perhaps the greatest Tudor survivor.

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[gothmamasylvia]

I think she didn't remarry because she didn't want to. She was free, rich, and could do as she liked!

[katiewray]

I think Anne was clever and figured out quite quickly that Henry was a total psycho. She was very wise to just live a quiet life and stay out of his way.

[annbaker]

I think that Henry would have stopped her remarrying no matter what! Could you imagine if she married and had a baby boy!!!! He would have gone crazy!!! Thank you for my Friday evening treat!! X

[MichielBLKorte]

In the words of Six the musical: "You could have all seen it coming: the savy, educated beautiful princess deemed repulsive by the overweight ulcer-riddled man 24 years her senior. Rejection! How can anyone overcome a fate as tragic as being forced to move into a splendid new palace with more money than I could spend in a lifetime and no husband to tell me what to do with it. It's just...tragic."

[loracorwyn]

I think she was just happy to be free of her mother and was happy to continue the life she was provided by Henry. Not everyone wants to get married and have children after all, she was just lucky to be able to live that life if that’s what she wanted.

[WhoTookMyMirr]

"Poor Anne of Cleves, she never remarried after Henry and was all alone"

"Sorry I can't hear you over my amazing palace in Richmond"

[youwhat.]

Henry complaining about lack of consent is so ironic 🤦‍♀️

[lucyosborne]

The more I learn about Anne of Cleves the more I'm starting to love her. She seems to me to be a mature woman with good sense, a steady head on her shoulders, and very canny about her situation and how to handle it. On a personal level, she was a huge cause of reconciliation between Henry's two daughters and showed grace, a loving heart, and very good sense. And Henry left her in a fabulous social situation of being his "sister" with a huge income and several staffed and luxurious residences. Why would she WANT to marry again? All that wealth and standing would have gone to her husband's family, and she would have become no better than a chair, legally speaking.

[roscluaran]

Anne of Cleves got the best deal of all the wives.💜

[amymahers]

Anne of Cleves was not an immature school aged girl when she married Henry. She may have been innocent of marital things, but she was not a fool. She kept her mouth shut and was probably grateful she did not have to consummate
the marriage, plus was rewarded to boot! She was a pretty savvy young woman. Thank you so much for your insights into these complicated and mysterious people. I so enjoy and appreciate your efforts. 😌

[janettemccubbin]

I think Anne was, not only the luckiest wife, but also the most intelligent.

[tessat]

I can also see that, having once been the Queen of England, Anne would feel that any lesser marriage would be a step down for her in terms of rank and status. Also, having been burned once, she might not have been eager to put herself into the power of another man. She had a high rank, money and independence. There was no one of appropriate age in the kingdom to equal her and she couldn't leave England or bring in another foreign prince without someone to negotiate on her behalf.

[Gothicforever]

She was the smartest one of them all! To give him a divorce was brilliant!

[JellyFilledEmpanada]

Tudor relationships really make me a appreciate the fact I'm happy being single

[Nurichiri]

Anne even owned a pub after the annulment. She was likely quite happy with her freedom and not having to give her riches to a husband. Interestingly her life not being tied to a husband could have helped convince her stepdaughter, the future Elizabeth I to never marry at all

[leticiagarcia]

I see Anne of Cleves as someone who carefully thought things through. She didn’t fight Henry on the annulment. Anne clever with a good temper. A good temper is a huge plus for dealing with Henry VIII. Anne didn’t remarry because she didn’t want to temp fate. She lived a good and rich life. She was close with Henry’s children. She also had friends whom she entertained at Hever Castle. From many accounts she was known for her kindness. She was rewarded for being the only wife buried at Westminster Abbey. She is my second favorite wife.

Thank you for another great video. I never considered this question. Very interesting. Have a great weekend.

[kentanderson]

Well done! I've never seen the actual annulment statement in any reading I've done before. Quite interesting that it specifically says Anne was free to remarry! But, she was smart not to, I think. As you said, she was well off financially, was independent and lived as she wanted in England, and enjoyed a certain prestige as the King's "sister." That's way too good a gig to give up! I have often wondered, though, and haven't really ever seen this addressed, if Anne had any lovers at all in the remaining years of her life. If she did, she was obviously quite discreet about it. Excellent video on a unique topic.

[peadar-o]

As she was the king’s sister, ceremonially, she would have needed Henry’s consent to marry. She also was a foreign princess, so she also needed her brother’s consent, and a dowry if she married a non-Englishman. If she left England, though her annulment settlement required her remaining in England to retain the income and properties.

[csh]

Maybe Anne could have remarried, but why would she want to?? Lol! She was one smart cookie, and had everything she needed and wanted. She was actually a very successful woman for her time. She is to be greatly admired and respected. Good for her!!!

[freedpeeb]

Perhaps Anne had exactly what she wanted, female companionship, or love, lots of money and status and the secret triumph of having bested the monster she had been married to at the same time as freeing herself from the shackles of being a royal princess always in danger of being given to a man she could not tolerate. It is just another scenario.