The Fate of Anne of Cleves: From Queen to Lady of England

Anna von Jülich-Kleve-Berg, known in English as Anne of Cleves, was born in Düsseldorf, Holy Roman Empire (present-day Düsseldorf, Germany) in 1515. As the daughter of John III Duke of Cleves and Lady Maria von Jülich-Berg, she was part of the princely house of La Marck, which controlled some of the richest and most fertile lands in Germany. With exceptional lineage dating back to influential German, French, English, and Spanish nobility, Anne was an invaluable candidate for a royal marriage.

Henry VIII’s Quest for a Wife

With the death of Queen Jane Seymour, King Henry VIII of England began his search for a new bride. At the time, potential candidates included Christina of Denmark, Dorothea of Denmark, Marie de Guise, and others. However, it was English Secretary of State Thomas Cromwell who suggested a marriage with the Protestant League. Cromwell proposed that either Amalia, Princess of La Marck, or her older sister Anne, could serve the strategic interests of the kingdom. A portrait of Princess Anne in Germany depicted her beauty, leading Henry to decide to marry her.

The Marriage and its Downfall

Princess Anne and her ladies-in-waiting arrived in England in 1540. Henry VIII took interest in her and eventually married her, despite initially finding her unattractive. However, within six months, Henry requested an annulment on the grounds of non-consummation and the pre-marriage contract with Francis Duke of Lorraine. Anne lost her title and became known as "The Lady Anne of Cleves."

Henry VIII retained her presence and granted her various estates such as Hatfield and Hever, along with an annual allowance. Anne was the highest-ranking woman in England, except for Queen Katherine Howard, Queen Catherine Parr, and the King's daughters, Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth. Despite this status, Anne was rarely invited to visit Edward VI's court after his succession.

Life Under Queen Mary I

Following Henry VIII's death in 1547, Lady Anne converted to Catholicism and attended Queen Mary I’s coronation. Lady Anne lived out her days at Chelsea Manor, rescuing it from foreclosure in 1555. She passed away in 1557, becoming the last of Henry VIII’s surviving wives to die. Her legacy remains a fascinating chapter in Tudor history.

From a prominent noble to a royal consort, Anne of Cleves’s journey is a tale of political strategy, personal struggle, and historical significance.