History Documentary hosted by Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb, published by Channel 5 in 2016 - English narration
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When a 17-year-old Henry VIII took the throne back in 1509, he would've expected to end up in the history books. That's what happens when you're the King of England. What he definitely couldn't have foreseen is that he'd become one of his country's most famous sovereigns, but largely due to his positively scandalous love life. The Tudor monarch started his own church, changed the constitution and became the first English king of Ireland - and yet it's his six wives (and some of their demises) that everyone remembers.
King Henry VIII's reign was defined by his marriages. Coercion, manipulation and ultimately murder were all employed. Wives were selected and discarded for political and religious reasons and in a desperate attempt to sire an heir. Famously he married six times over his 36 year reign. The six queens were formidable individuals. Some were ambitious, some brave, some ruthless - and between them they shaped the man who began as a Renaissance prince, became a monster and ended a regretful old man. In turn they shaped England itself.
Henry VIII's hunt for the perfect queen is one of the most shocking sagas in history. Across four decades he was driven by passion, obsession and vengeance - and wed six very different women. From the bold Katherine of Aragon to the ambitious Anne Boleyn, the saintly Jane Seymour to the shocking Anne of Cleves, and the seductive Catherine Howard to the dangerous Katherine Parr. This is the story of these six exceptional women, and how, together, they created a king - and changed history forever.
Join historians Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb as they explore what these turbulent relationships tell us about England's legendary king. This 4-Part series is an original and enlightening look at the real people at the centre of the action during one of the most turbulent, passionate and violent periods in English history.
Series written and directed by Chris Holt ; An Oxford Film and Television and GroupM Entertainment Production For Channel 5
3) Part 3
Dubbed Henry's favourite wife as well as his most dutiful, Jane Seymour was first a maid to both Catherine and Anne, but would become the bride that finally delivered a male heir. Her gentle nature and attractiveness has been written about, and maybe their marriage might've actually lasted if fulfilling that wish hadn't killed her. Less than 18 months after their union, she succumbed to postnatal complications in the fortnight following the birth of King Edward VI, who would be later forced to succeed his father at the age of just nine. Jane can be considered the king's greatest loss - she's the woman that got away, in a fashion. She was the only one of his queens to have received a royal funeral and he was eventually buried with her.
The wife of the king is typically given the title of queen consort, but that didn't apply to German princess Anne of Cleves. Henry's fourth marriage lasted seven months, however, compared to his previous stints, it had a happy ending. They didn't consummate their union, Henry's affections waned and they agreed to an annulment. Afterwards, alive and considered his friend, Anne was anointed the King's Beloved Sister. When his next nuptials didn't turn out, it's reported she tried to convince him to marry her again. He didn't and she went on to outlive not only him, but all his other spouses.
Jane Seymour was a woman adept at sexual politics. Anne of Cleves was considered so repulsive that the relationship was never consummated. This episode reveals two contrasting wives of Henry. Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb tell the story of the wife that succeeded in producing a son but died days later, plus the marriage that led to a humiliating divorce.
