Antonia Fraser is one of my favorite historians. She presents her subjects with such empathy that you feel like you’ve known them for years, and she weaves together their lives like they’re one beautiful tapestry. She’s able to bring primary sources to life in a way that few can. And she always adds interesting details that many would have not considered. For example, did you know that being an artisan for Henry VIII would have been a pretty lucrative job? Every time a new queen ascended, her coat of arms replaced those of the former queen everywhere from stained glass to doorways.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII is a detailed portrait of all of Henry’s brides. Fraser’s masterful work looks at these women as people in their own right, not simply royal consorts. She’s sympathetic to each in turn and is quick to dispel any politically motivated rumors. Anne Boleyn is presented as a quick witted and learned woman rather than the scheming seductress she is often portrayed as. Fraser is also unafraid to point out Henry’s capricious and downright brutal treatment of these women. Anne was executed for treason, incest (with her brother), and adultery. However, during her trial it was ruled that her and Henry’s marriage was invalid. How she could be adulterous against a man who was said not to be her lawful husband is beyond me!
One of the most interesting chapters focuses on Anne (Anna) of Cleves. Out of all of these women, she gets off the easiest! You can’t help but sympathize with her naivety and grace in a very difficult situation. Henry made it very well known that he was not sexually attracted to her to anyone who would listen. On the topic of why she wasn’t pregnant yet, Anne said that she didn’t know because Henry came into her room every night and kissed her before retiring. Wasn’t that enough? One of her ladies remarked “there must be more if there will be a prince.” As part of the divorce, Anne was granted accommodation and money in addition to being seen as “the King’s sister.” She would be seen as quasi family and a subject of the King. She escaped the much more gruesome fate of her compatriots.
The Six Wives is an excellent piece of history with its detail and empathetic treatment of all of these women. For more Tudor history from Antonia Fraser, check out her biography of Mary, Queen of Scots. The appendix featuring text in Old Scottish is incredible!
