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.
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The Disastrous First Meeting
- Henry VIII, disguised, met Anne of Cleves at Rochester.
- Anne didn't recognize Henry and largely ignored him, humiliating Henry.
Political Necessity
- Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves despite not liking her.
- England needed the political alliance with Cleves, and rejecting Anne would be humiliating.
An Unconsummated Marriage
- Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves lasted six months.
- The marriage was unconsummated, with Henry claiming he found Anne repulsive and not a virgin.