Anne of Cleves: The ultimate survivor
In this six-part series exclusively available to HistoryExtra subscribers, leading Tudor historians delve into the fascinating lives of each of Henry VIII’s iconic queens. In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Norton discusses Anne of Cleves...
Although Henry’s fourth wife is typically remembered as a dowdy ‘Flander’s Mare’, historian Elizabeth Norton argues that this image of her couldn’t be further from the truth. Speaking to Rhiannon Davies, she paints a picture of Anne as a beleaguered German princess who managed to come out of her disastrous marriage on top, amassing riches, a string of palaces – and even intimate invitations from the king himself…
Related content
- Profile | Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's most successful queen?
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Dr Elizabeth Norton is a historian specialising in the queens of England and the Tudor period. Her books include Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII’s Discarded Bride (Amberley, 2009)
Explore the full video series
In our accompanying six-part video series, leading Tudor historians delve into the fascinating lives of each of Henry VIII’s iconic queens. Could Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard have avoided the executioner’s block? Why can Anne of Cleves be seen as the true survivor? And who was the queen whom Henry loved most?
Find out in this video series exclusively available to HistoryExtra subscribers. All episodes are available to watch now:
- Episode 1 | Catherine of Aragon: A woman born to rule
- Episode 2 | Anne Boleyn: From trailblazer to traitor
- Episode 3 | Jane Seymour: The queen Henry loved most?
- Episode 5 | Catherine Howard: Victim of the patriarchy
- Episode 6 | Katherine Parr: Political powerhouse
On the podcast | Explore the full Six Wives audio series
The story of King Henry VIII’s six wives is a tale of political crisis and personal tragedy, sacrifice and survival, sex and death, scandal, love and betrayal. But, after centuries of myth have built up around this story, has it clouded our view of the real women involved? In our accompanying six-part podcast series, we’ll be peeling back the layers of mythmaking to take another look at these fascinating women, who shaped the course of Henry’s reign – and the history of England.
- Episode 1 | Catherine of Aragon
- Episode 2 | Anne Boleyn
- Episode 3 | Jane Seymour
- Episode 4 | Anne of Cleves
- Episode 5 | Catherine Howard
- Episode 6 | Katherine Parr
Want to learn more about the queens?
- Explore the full podcast and video series plus a range of companion content from across HistoryExtra on our Six Wives hub
Authors
A former BBC History Magazine section editor, Rhiannon has long been fascinated by history and continues to write for HistoryExtra.com. She has appeared on the award-winning HistoryExtra podcast, interviewing experts on a variety of subjects, from Lucy Worsley discussing Agatha Christie to Sir Ranulph Fiennes on the perils of polar exploration
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