Anne of Cleves was the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England, but she did not share the same fate as some of his other spouses. She outlived Henry and his other wives, and died a natural death at the age of 41. But what was the cause of her death, and how did she spend her last years?
A Political Marriage
Anne of Cleves was born in 1515 in Germany, the daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Jülich-Berg. She grew up in a Protestant family that was allied with the Schmalkaldic League, a group of German princes who opposed the Catholic Emperor Charles V. In 1539, Henry VIII, who had broken away from the Roman Catholic Church and established himself as the head of the Church of England, decided to marry Anne to form a political alliance with her brother, William, Duke of Cleves, who was a leader of the Protestants of western Germany. According to Wikipedia, Henry also hoped that Anne would be a suitable match for him, as he had seen a flattering portrait of her painted by Hans Holbein the Younger.
However, when Anne arrived in England in December 1539, Henry was disappointed by her appearance and personality. He found her unattractive and dull, and complained that she had bad breath and body odor. He also felt that she was not well-educated or cultured, and that she spoke little English. He tried to avoid consummating the marriage, but he still married her on January 6, 1540, to avoid offending her brother and the Protestant alliance.
An Amicable Annulment
Henry soon regretted his decision and sought to annul his marriage to Anne. He claimed that he had not consented to the marriage freely, that he felt no attraction or affection for Anne, and that the marriage had not been consummated. He also alleged that Anne had been previously betrothed to Francis, Duke of Lorraine, which would have made their marriage invalid. According to The Anne Boleyn Files, Anne was unaware of Henry’s intentions until July 1540, when she was summoned to Richmond Palace and informed that her marriage was over.
Anne agreed to the annulment without protest, as she realized that it would be dangerous to oppose Henry’s will. She also accepted Henry’s generous settlement, which included an annual income of £4,000, several estates and properties, including Hever Castle (the former home of Anne Boleyn), and the title of “the King’s Beloved Sister”. She was allowed to remain in England and keep in touch with Henry and his children. She became especially close to Mary I, Henry’s eldest daughter and a fellow Catholic.
A Peaceful Death
Anne lived a comfortable and peaceful life after her annulment. She enjoyed hunting, gardening, needlework, and music. She also received visits from Henry and his courtiers, who treated her with respect and affection. She witnessed the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, and attended Mary’s coronation in 1553. She also maintained contact with her family in Germany, and supported their cause against Charles V.
Anne’s health began to decline in 1557, possibly due to cancer. She became bedridden in July and dictated her will, which showed her kindness and generosity to her household and friends. She left money and jewels to her servants, ladies, gentlemen, yeomen, grooms, children, stepdaughters (Mary and Elizabeth), Catherine Brandon (Duchess of Suffolk), and Countess of Arundel. She also asked Mary to pay her debts and expenses from her lands at Michaelmas.
Anne died on July 16 or 17 (sources vary) at Chelsea Old Manor (the former home of Catherine Parr). According to Britannica, she was buried with royal honors at Westminster Abbey on August 3. Her funeral was attended by Mary I, Elizabeth I, nobles, ladies, gentlemen, heralds, monks, bishops, abbots, priests, clerks, children, torchbearers, bedesmen (poor men who prayed for the soul of the deceased), and a large crowd of people. Her coffin was covered with cloth-of-gold and surrounded by tapers. Her banner of arms and four banners of images were carried by four heralds. Her hearse was adorned with black velvet and armorial bearings.
Anne of Cleves was the last surviving wife of Henry VIII. She died a natural death at the age of 41. She was not crowned queen consort but she was buried as one. She was not loved by Henry but she was respected by him and his children. She was not a glamorous or influential figure but she was a kind and gentle woman who left a positive impression on those who knew her. She was Anne of Cleves, the King’s Beloved Sister.
