Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Anne of Cleves | Secret Lives of the Six Wives

Dec 6, 2024

Nicola Tallis, a Tudor expert and scholar, joins Kate Lister to shine a light on Anne of Cleves, often dismissed as 'ugly' in history. They discuss Anne's rise from obscurity to becoming a savvy player in the Tudor court, navigating the treachery surrounding her marriage to Henry VIII. The conversation reveals the awkwardness of their first meeting, the unfair judgments she faced, and how Anne ultimately emerged as one of the more fortunate queens, enjoying a unique independence after her annulment.

39:38

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Episode guests

Nicola Tallis

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Quick takeaways

Anne of Cleves successfully maneuvered through her challenging marriage with Henry VIII, securing wealth and status despite its brevity.

Her adept navigation of royal life allowed Anne to maintain dignity and influence, ultimately positioning her favorably after the annulment.

Deep dives

Henry VIII's Search for a New Wife

Following the death of his third wife, Jane Seymour, Henry VIII was desperate for a new bride to secure his dynasty. Despite his reputation for the fates of his previous wives, including Anne Boleyn, there was growing pressure on him to remarry. His chief advisor, Thomas Cromwell, suggested an alliance with Anne of Cleves, a noblewoman from a minor German duchy whose marriage could provide both political stability and bolster England's position amidst religious turmoil. The urgency of this marriage was compounded by Henry's need for a male heir, as he had learned from the high infant mortality rates of his earlier children.

Intro

2min

The Trials and Triumphs of Tudor Queens

2min

Anne of Cleves: The Unlikely Queen

18min

The Awkward Introduction: Henry and Anne's First Meeting

5min

The Tragic Union of Henry and Anne

8min

Anne and Henry: A Unique Separation

4min

Anne of Cleves: A Pragmatic Queen

5min

The Overlooked Intelligence of Anne of Cleves

3min

Anne of Cleves gets a pretty raw deal in the history books.

She's often accused of being ugly, after Henry VIII claimed the painting he had made of her was overly flattering.

While their marriage was short-lived, is it time we give Anne of Cleves, who hailed from a small state in Germany, the props she deserves?

Just who was this woman who came from relative obscurity into the madness of the Tudor court, and came out one of life's winners?

In the fourth episode of our limited series, Secret Wives of the Six Wives, Kate is joined once again by Tudor export Nicola Tallis, to help us find out more about the woman who arguably played the game of being Henry's wife better than any of the five others.

This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3 Media.

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Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

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