Anne of ClevesAnne was born on 22 September 1515 in Dsseldorf,
Cleves. She was the second of four childrenborn to John III 'the
Pacific', Duke of Cleves, andMaria of Jlich-Berg.She received no
formal education--apart from reading and writing in German--as a
child. Anne couldnot sing or play music, but she was skilled in
needlework and card games.The search for a new Queen of England
began in 1538. Many princesses declined Henry's offer tobecome his
fourth wife. Jokes circulated around European courts about Henry's
marital career. [1]He was in his late forties, obese, irascible
with serious health problems including two bad legs. Hewas used to
getting his own way and far more difficult to please than a younger
man. He preferredbuxom women.MarriageThomas Cromwell suggested the
match, as William, Anne's brother, was involved with an
ongoingdispute with Emperor Charles V over Gelderland. Anne's
younger sister Amelia was also consideredas a possible bride.Anne
and Amelia were covered up so the ambassadors were unable to see
their faces or figures.Painter Hans Holbein was dispatched to
Dsseldorf paint Anne's portrait--a gentle passive characterwith
breeding, dignity and virtue.Anne was dark-haired, sturdy,
big-boned with a rather swarthy complexion, a high forehead,
heavy-lidded eyes and a pointed chin. She was solemn and looked old
for her age. The stiff clumsy Germanfashions were unflattering and
did little to emphasise youthful charm.Her journey was delayed by
bad weather as Anne did not leave Calais until 27 December. Anne
wasreceived by the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk who accompanied her
to from Deal to Dover Castle.Anne travelled to Canterbury and
Rochester.Meanwhile, Henry was growing impatient to see his new
bride. He rode from Greenwich toRochester in disguise.Anne was
bewildered as she didn't recognise Henry. Nor did she speak
English. He was mortifiedand overwhelmed with disgust.He returned
to Greenwich in a foul mood, believing Holbein, the English agents
and envoys abroadmisled him.Anne, on the other hand, carried off a
difficult and humiliating situation with natural dignity
andcomposure.Henry ordered Thomas Cromwell to find a find a
loophole to avoid going through with the marriagewithout
endangering the German alliance.However, he made no attempt to
overcome his initial aversion. He went through with the marriageon
6 January 1540 at Greenwich. The wedding night did not go
well--Henry complained his wife'sbody was a complete turnoff. [2]"I
like her before not well, but now I like her much worse," said
Henry. [3]DivorceThe marriage was annulled on the grounds of
non-consummation and Anne's pre-contract withFrancis of Lorraine in
1527, with generous terms. Anne was granted 500 per year, use of
two royalresidences, precedence over every lady except the next
queen and princesses, and remain inEngland as "the King's good
sister".Anne accepted these terms eagerly. Henry was surprised,
even disconcerted as he had expectedsome protests and tears.She
outlived both her husband, Edward IV and Lady Jane Grey. Anne
accompanied step-daughterElizabeth to Mary I's coronation and state
banquet in 1553.Anne did not survive to see Elizabeth become Queen.
Anne died, aged 42, at Chelsea Manor,London, on 16 July 1557. She
was buried in Westminster Abbey.2009 Carolyn CashSourcesFraser,
Antonia, The Six Wives of Henry VIIIPlowden, Alison, Tudor Women:
Queens & CommonersStarkey, David, Six Wives The Queens of Henry
VIIIWeir, Alison, Britain's Royal Families: The Complete
GenealogyWeir, Alison, The Six Wives of Henry VIII[1] Fraser, A,
The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London,
1992 (SeventhImpression 1993), p 291[2] Ibid., p 311[3] Starkey, D,
Six Wives The Queens of Henry VIII, Vintage [Random House], London,
2004, p 632http://suite101.com/article/anne-of-cleves-a118461
