King Henry VIII became king on April 22 in 1509, and he would reign until his death in 1547. He is most infamous for his many marriages rather than being king. He married a total of 6 times and he had 5 children – 4 legitimate and 1 illegitimate.

His first wife was actually his older brother’s wife, Catherine of Aragon. She became his wife when his older brother (her husband) had died. To keep a good relationship with Spain (where she was from), Henry married her in 1509. 

You aren't giving me a son. I want a divorce!

Catherine went through many pregnancies that resulted in one daughter, Mary I (who would later rule), and Henry who died not long after. She suffered several stillbirths and miscarriages trying to fulfill Henry’s need for a son and an heir. This marriage would end in a divorce in 1533 after no son was born, this being the leading cause for most of his marriages. She was the longest marriage that Henry the 8 would have.

You had a girl?!?!?!?!?!

His second marriage was to Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn had been Catherine of Aragon’s lady-in-waiting from the early 1520s until the annulment between Catherine of Aragon and Henry. They shortly married after the annulment in 1533 (although it is speculated that they married before the annulment) and Anne quickly became pregnant.

You will be executed for treason and adultery!!!

Anne, like the wife before, was unable to produce a son although she would produce a daughter, Elizabeth I, who would later rule and be the last Tudor monarch. She would end up miscarrying a son and Henry would then seize her and place her under arrest for treason and adultery. She would be beheaded in 1536.

You gave me a son! My true wife!

His third marriage was to Jane Seymour, and many documents show that Jane Seymour was the favorite and the one he truly loved. Jane Seymour and Henry the 8 would marry not long after Anne Boleyn’s beheadment on May 30, 1536, however the marriage would not last long. Jane Seymour is credited as the favorite and the one Henry truly loved because Jane Seymour was the only wife that would give Henry the 8 a legitimate son.

My one true wife!