The six wives of Henry VIII
Study note
Henry VIII is famous for marrying six times. In order, his wives were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. The first wife to remember is Catherine of Aragon, who was also the mother of the future queen Mary I.
A useful rhyme sums up what happened to each wife: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. The last wife, Catherine Parr, was the one who outlived Henry VIII, unlike Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour or Catherine Howard. Three of Henry's children went on to rule England in turn: Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. So remember that Catherine of Aragon was the first wife and Catherine Parr was the wife who survived him.
Memory tip: Fates of the six: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
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Question 1 of 2
Who was the first wife of Henry VIII?
Show all questions and answers for The six wives of Henry VIII(2 questions with explanations)
The six wives of Henry VIII: questions, answers and explanations
1. Who was the first wife of Henry VIII?
- Jane Seymour
- Catherine Parr
- Catherine of Aragon
- Anne Boleyn
Correct answer: Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon was Henry VIII's first wife and mother of Mary I.
2. Which wife of Henry VIII outlived him?
- Catherine Howard
- Anne Boleyn
- Jane Seymour
- Catherine Parr
Correct answer: Catherine Parr
Catherine Parr, his sixth wife, survived Henry VIII.
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