Dragon King: the Many Wives, Mistresses and Children of King Henry VIII (1491-1577)
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Anne Boleyn (1501/07-1536)
Anne Boleyn (1501/07-1536)
Henry’s wife from 1531 to 1536
Actress and opera singer Amalia Schaeffer was cast as Anne Boleyn, a part she had already played in the opera Anna Bollena by Giacomo Pellegrini (1874).
Actress and opera singer Amalia Schaeffer was cast as Anne Boleyn, a part she had already played in the opera Anna Bollena by Giacomo Pellegrini (1874).
Anne Boleyn was one of the most unlucky of Henry’s wives. Her timing was not the best, to say the least. A maid of honour to Queen Madeleine, she had been noticed by the King while his wife was heavily pregnant with their daughter Claudine. Contrary to her sister Mary, Anne took a leaf from Madeleine’s book and refused to become his mistress. Maybe it was that behaviour that would eventually cause her downfall.
When Madeleine returned to court after her confinement, she demanded that Anne be sent to Catherine of Aragon’s household to become a companion to Henry’s eldest daughter Mary FitzRoy, Duchess of Pembroke. It seems she was afraid Anne would become more than a mere royal mistress if she stayed at court. Henry granted her request and Anne left London. The king made a few trips to the country, officially to see his beloved daughter, but Madeleine was no fool and privately lectured her husband, telling him he could have as many mistresses as he wanted when she was pregnant but that she would not tolerate another woman to dishonour her at any other time. Henry gave in to his wife and ceased to pursue Anne.
However, in July 1530, the young Duchess of Pembroke visited her father. Anne, as her lady-in-waiting, accompanied her, much to the Queen’s dismay, as it became clear Henry had not forgotten her. It was said at the time that the sight of Henry flirtatiously chatting with Anne during a ball caused Madeleine to work herself up into such a state that she fell ill and went into labour, dying a few hours after the birth of her daughter.
Her death was such a shock to Henry that a whole year passed before he remarried. Anne stayed by his side during this year of mourning, a compassionate ear to his grief. In July 1531, Henry married her, which caused quite a scandal at court, as no one had forgotten that Madeleine had disliked her.
Things suddenly took a wrong turn in 1532: the Prince of Wales, Henry’s son by Claude of Brittany, fell from his horse and broke his neck. A few months later, in February 1533, both Anne and her stepson John, Duke of York and Count of Auvergne, fell ill. John died and Anne miscarried the son she was expecting, but survived. Suddenly, King Henry found himself with plenty of daughters but no sons. Doctors were doubtful that Anne would be able to conceive again after her miscarriage but the Queen was determined to give her husband an heir. Their next child was a girl and in early 1536, Anne gave birth to a stillborn son.
By that time, Henry had grown frantic. The courtiers gossiped that Anne had made a pact with the devil and hexed Queen Madeleine to take her place, then bewitched the Prince of Wales’s horse and poisoned the Duke of York so the son she carried at the time would become heir to the throne… Her inability to give the King a living son and her sympathy for the Reformation were proof enough that she was a witch. Henry gave credence to the rumours and after a resounding trial, Queen Anne, now reviled through all of Christendom, was convicted of witchcraft and murder, and beheaded. Her marriage to the King was annulled and her two daughters were declared illegitimate and sent to an isolated convent to be brought up by nuns, in the hope that their souls would thus be saved.
When Madeleine returned to court after her confinement, she demanded that Anne be sent to Catherine of Aragon’s household to become a companion to Henry’s eldest daughter Mary FitzRoy, Duchess of Pembroke. It seems she was afraid Anne would become more than a mere royal mistress if she stayed at court. Henry granted her request and Anne left London. The king made a few trips to the country, officially to see his beloved daughter, but Madeleine was no fool and privately lectured her husband, telling him he could have as many mistresses as he wanted when she was pregnant but that she would not tolerate another woman to dishonour her at any other time. Henry gave in to his wife and ceased to pursue Anne.
However, in July 1530, the young Duchess of Pembroke visited her father. Anne, as her lady-in-waiting, accompanied her, much to the Queen’s dismay, as it became clear Henry had not forgotten her. It was said at the time that the sight of Henry flirtatiously chatting with Anne during a ball caused Madeleine to work herself up into such a state that she fell ill and went into labour, dying a few hours after the birth of her daughter.
Her death was such a shock to Henry that a whole year passed before he remarried. Anne stayed by his side during this year of mourning, a compassionate ear to his grief. In July 1531, Henry married her, which caused quite a scandal at court, as no one had forgotten that Madeleine had disliked her.
Things suddenly took a wrong turn in 1532: the Prince of Wales, Henry’s son by Claude of Brittany, fell from his horse and broke his neck. A few months later, in February 1533, both Anne and her stepson John, Duke of York and Count of Auvergne, fell ill. John died and Anne miscarried the son she was expecting, but survived. Suddenly, King Henry found himself with plenty of daughters but no sons. Doctors were doubtful that Anne would be able to conceive again after her miscarriage but the Queen was determined to give her husband an heir. Their next child was a girl and in early 1536, Anne gave birth to a stillborn son.
By that time, Henry had grown frantic. The courtiers gossiped that Anne had made a pact with the devil and hexed Queen Madeleine to take her place, then bewitched the Prince of Wales’s horse and poisoned the Duke of York so the son she carried at the time would become heir to the throne… Her inability to give the King a living son and her sympathy for the Reformation were proof enough that she was a witch. Henry gave credence to the rumours and after a resounding trial, Queen Anne, now reviled through all of Christendom, was convicted of witchcraft and murder, and beheaded. Her marriage to the King was annulled and her two daughters were declared illegitimate and sent to an isolated convent to be brought up by nuns, in the hope that their souls would thus be saved.
Children
1 Alice Boleyn (1532-1589)
2 miscarried son (1533)
3 Amy Boleyn (1535-1597)
4 stillborn son (1536)
2 miscarried son (1533)
3 Amy Boleyn (1535-1597)
4 stillborn son (1536)
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One of Thomas Boleyn's elder sisters was named Amy or Amata (other sources call her Jane or Ann(e), but I decided Amy would be better, as Henry already has daughters named Jane (Joan, Countess of Auvergne) and Anne.
Update: by 1536 Henry is 45 and is up 5 wives 4 mistresses and 39 children (not all surviving).
Has Anne Boylen ever had a good timeline?
Has Anne Boylen ever had a good timeline?
I’ve seen a couple scenarios where she either dies in childbirth/from a miscarriage before Henry tires of her or manages to pop out a living son…both are actually pretty good for her tbh even though she’s dead in the first one (I mean nobody is calling her a witch and Elizabeth remains indisputably legitimate and her father’s heiress until he has a son)
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Maria of Portugal (1521-1538)
Maria of Portugal (1521-1538)
Henry’s wife from 1536 to 1538
The part of Maria of Portugal, mother of the “Miracle Children”, was played by Welsh actress Rhiannon Powell.
The part of Maria of Portugal, mother of the “Miracle Children”, was played by Welsh actress Rhiannon Powell.
Anne Boleyn had not been dead for a day that the hunt for a new Queen of England began. All girls aged 15 and more were potential candidates. Henry eventually chose the King of Portugal’s half-sister Maria.
The girl was sent to England, conscious of her all-important duty: to give Henry at least two healthy sons – an heir and a spare – to secure the succession. The wedding was celebrated with great pomp in June 1536 and in September, the Queen announced her first pregnancy. The next months were spent in feverish expectation as Maria’s stomach grew rounder and rounder. In the morning of the 25th of April 1537, she went into labour. Everyone held their breath until, at 11 in the evening, news came that the young Queen had birthed a big baby boy. Although exhausted, Maria was brimming with joy – she had given Henry an heir on her first attempt!
In November, the Queen announced another pregnancy. As time passed it became clear that she was expecting twins. She had to spend most of her time lying in her chambers, too tired to walk more than a few paces. In July 1538, the birth was imminent. Maria went into labour in the early afternoon of the 15th. She gave birth to two tiny girls in the wee hours of the morning but another two babies were yet to come: at 10, she eventually delivered two even tinier boys. This incredible birthing earned the four siblings the nickname “Miracle Children”. The loss of blood Maria had suffered was too important, though, and the young Queen died not long after, whispering that she had done her duty to her king and England.
Children
1 Henry, Prince of Wales (1537-1542)
2 Maria of England (1538-1594)
3 Eleanor of England (1538-1594)
4 Edward, Duke of York (1538-1542)
5 Manuel, Duke of Richmond (1538-1541)
2 Maria of England (1538-1594)
3 Eleanor of England (1538-1594)
4 Edward, Duke of York (1538-1542)
5 Manuel, Duke of Richmond (1538-1541)
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I have some among my scenarios (in Henry's heiress and Boleyn princess she dies, in Boleyn England she is mother of Henry's heirs, but only Henry's heiress is a TL)
What happened?
And whoa, quadruplets who all survive the initial year - the moniker is well deserved!
Probably that son is from someone Henry's last wives or even outright last one.
I thought it would be nice to have those twin sisters live and die together. Strange things happen to twins sometimes - actually one such thing nearly happened among my family, decades before I was even born. I like imagining Maria and Eleanor peacefully dying in their sleep at the same second.
Indeed!
I'm saying nothing.
Anne Basset, 1st Marchioness of Exeter (1520-1555)
Anne Basset, 1st Marchioness of Exeter (1520-1555)
Henry’s mistress from 1537 to 1542
Cambrian actress Sorcha Billingham played Anne Basset, “the King’s Second Queen”. Billingham can actually trace her ancestry back to another of Henry’s mistresses, Mary Boleyn.
Cambrian actress Sorcha Billingham played Anne Basset, “the King’s Second Queen”. Billingham can actually trace her ancestry back to another of Henry’s mistresses, Mary Boleyn.
Anne Basset came to the King’s notice during Maria of Portugal’s first pregnancy. Their relationship was purely platonic at first but they became lovers about three months before the Prince of Wales’s birth. Soon after Queen Maria gave birth to her first child, Anne found she was pregnant. She delivered a healthy son in January 1538. By now, Queen Maria was pregnant again and it was quite naturally that Henry returned to Anne, flaunting her in front of the whole court. Soon enough, Anne was nicknamed “the King’s Second Queen”. What the “First Queen” thought of it is not known, as she spent most of her time hidden from court, too exhausted to make public appearances.
However, when Maria died in childbirth, everybody expected Anne to step into her shoes, especially as she herself was pregnant. Indeed, Henry went as far as to make her suo jure Marchioness of Exeter. He did not marry her though. It seems that Anne herself was content to be a royal mistress and nothing more. Their affair lasted until 1542, when another woman stole Henry’s fickle heart… Anne then settled on her estates with her children.
In the late 16th century, Anne’s youngest son Arthur Basset and his children would emigrate to Scotland and found the Scottish House Basset. Her son Thomas’s descendants would also emigrate, first to the Low Countries and then to Australia, where their descendants still live nowadays.
However, when Maria died in childbirth, everybody expected Anne to step into her shoes, especially as she herself was pregnant. Indeed, Henry went as far as to make her suo jure Marchioness of Exeter. He did not marry her though. It seems that Anne herself was content to be a royal mistress and nothing more. Their affair lasted until 1542, when another woman stole Henry’s fickle heart… Anne then settled on her estates with her children.
In the late 16th century, Anne’s youngest son Arthur Basset and his children would emigrate to Scotland and found the Scottish House Basset. Her son Thomas’s descendants would also emigrate, first to the Low Countries and then to Australia, where their descendants still live nowadays.
Children
1 John Basset, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1538-1612)
2 Annette Basset (1539-1598)
3 Honour Basset (1540-1605)
4 Thomas Basset (1542-1611)
5 Arthur Basset (1543-1599)
2 Annette Basset (1539-1598)
3 Honour Basset (1540-1605)
4 Thomas Basset (1542-1611)
5 Arthur Basset (1543-1599)
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Christina of Denmark (1521-1545)
Christina of Denmark (1521-1545)
Henry’s wife from 1538 to 1545
Ingrid Sorensdatter was the first actress to be cast in the series. Her performance as the tormented Christina of Denmark has been critically acclaimed.
Ingrid Sorensdatter was the first actress to be cast in the series. Her performance as the tormented Christina of Denmark has been critically acclaimed.
Christina of Denmark had been one of the many princesses considered by Henry while he was looking for a sixth wife in 1536. It was her cousin Maria who got the crown however but when she died, Christina’s was the first name that came to Henry’s mind.
The girl was not thrilled at the prospect of marrying the older king. Though he was still dashing and attractive, she was afraid she would suffer the same fate as her cousin and die in the throes of childbirth. Her father coaxed her into reconsidering Henry’s offer. The king already had three sons, after all. True, they were infants but this would put less pressure on her. She would not have to try getting pregnant as soon or as often as her cousin had. That, he said, had been Maria’s mistake but she would not repeat it. Christina eventually gave in and was sent to England, where she was lavishly welcomed by her husband-to-be. Henry and Christina were married in a double ceremony, as Henry’s daughter Alexandra married Christina’s brother Hans, Crown Prince of Denmark by proxy the same day.
Christina was accompanied by her lady-in-waiting and best friend Francesca Paleologa di Monferrato, widow of Costantino Cominato Arianiti, titular Prince of Macedonia, and Francesca’s daughter Deianira.
Henry was still deeply in love with Anne Basset when Christina arrived and the young Queen got along very well with her husband’s mistress, fervently hoping Henry’s infatuation would keep her from becoming pregnant too soon. When she eventually announced her first pregnancy in February 1539, she took all necessary precautions and was safely delivered in September. Alas! the child was a girl. Henry looked glum upon hearing the news but said nothing, finding solace in Anne Basset’s arms.
More disappointment came when in March 1540, Christina, always an avid hunter, fell from her horse and miscarried. Although she was in the early stages of her pregnancy and had not been aware of her state at the time, her husband was furious and flew into a rage, forbidding her to give herself to dangerous pastimes when she was bearing England’s future in her womb. A mortified Christina retired to Hampton Court and did not appear in public for two weeks. Husband and wife eventually reconciled and the following year, Christina was pregnant again.
If the Queen did not mind Henry’s liaison with Anne Basset, she felt cruelly betrayed when she discovered on one October evening that her friend Deianira had yielded to her husband’s courtship and was pregnant as well. The young Duke of Richmond, who had always been a frail and sick child, had died that summer and Henry was worried he would lose his other two sons, especially as the young princes had fallen sick as well. Taking advantage of her husband’s anguish, Christina insisted that Deianira be sent to a nunnery in the countryside until she was delivered of her bastard. Henry, not wanting to upset his pregnant wife, dismissed Deianira, who left London in disgrace. A few weeks later, the Queen gave birth to a son, named Christian after her father. The prince’s birth cemented Henry and Christina’s reconciliation.
In January 1542, Christina received a letter from Deianira, who had just given birth to a daughter and pleaded to return to her side, asking for forgiveness. Christina, in better spirits now that she had a son and whose fondness for her childhood friend had not died, relented and agreed.
Henry, who was doting on his newborn baby, does not seem to have paid too much attention to Deianira’s return, especially as the latter was busy preparing the coming of her recently widowed younger sister Elena, who had always been a favourite of hers. Christina was confident that Deianira and her sister would be too busy making up for lost time and that her rival would not fall into Henry’s arms again.
Christina announced a new pregnancy in the spring of 1542, which coincided with Elena’s arrival in London. The young woman did not make a great impression at the time, as she was still mourning her husband, dressed in austere black garments and more inclined to spend time in seclusion with her mother and sister than to attend revelries. Henry returned to Anne Basset, who had come back from her own confinement. However, when Anne got pregnant too, Henry approached Deianira again and the two resumed their affair, but the King soon noticed Elena’s striking beauty.
Christina immediately guessed what was going on and tried to reconquer her husband’s heart but Henry was quite besotted by his new mistress. He had three sons, after all, even though the eldest was only five and still fragile, and his young wife was expecting another child.
The birth of Dorothea was a disappointment for Christina, who had prayed for another son, hoping it would help her win Henry back. A gnawing rivalry developed between her and the sisters, especially Elena. Things took a turn for the worse when the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York fell ill with a bout influenza and died in December, quickly followed by their baby half-sister Dorothea. Christian was now Henry’s last surviving son. This caused the King to set aside his mistresses for a while and devote himself to his wife, who quickly got pregnant again. For Christina, most of the year of 1543 was spent in prayers and pilgrimages, fervently wishing for a son to be born, and so it was a great disappointment to her when the midwives told her the newborn child was a girl. She refused to hold the infant in her arms, even refused to see her, dismissing the tiny, wailing creature to the wet nurse instead.
Henry looked grim when he heard the news, especially as both Deianira and Elena had birthed sons earlier in the year. For months, he refused to see his wife, flaunting Elena and their first-born son instead, and creating both sisters Baronesses in their own right.
The crisis reached its peak in August 1544. Christina had recently gotten pregnant again, after reconciling with her husband, but so were her rivals. It is now believed that Christina was suffering from major depressive disorder. She would spend days in her apartments, refusing to see anyone or attend the revelries her husband organised, then she would suddenly reappear, often uttering malicious, abusing comments about Deianira and Elena.
Things escalated when both sisters were suddenly taken ill. Elena miscarried her child, while Deianira delivered a premature daughter who lived only a few hours, before succumbing too. Suspicion of poisoning came to Henry’s mind. The Queen had been preparing to leave court in order to visit a convent, when she was glimpsed talking with René de Chalon, Prince of Orange, who had come over to England two months before with his wife, Henry’s daughter Elizabeth, Duchess of Brittany.
Christina and René had been in love before she was betrothed to Henry, and rumours of them being lovers soon spread. To Henry, Christina was no less than a mixture of Eleanor of Aquitaine poisoning Fair Rosamund and Margaret of Burgundy cheating on her husband.
Christina fiercely denied both accusations, of course. Being pregnant and a sovereign’s daughter probably saved her life. Henry could not execute her the way he had Anne Boleyn after all. As for René de Chalon, he swore he had always been faithful to his beloved wife. Elizabeth herself pleaded for her husband, throwing herself at her father’s feet, and Henry eventually cleared both Christina and René of all suspicions, though he did order the young man to leave England at once and never come back.
On 22 March 1545, Christina gave birth to twins, one of them a boy whom she insisted on naming Maximilian, after her ancestor the Emperor, who had been born on that very day 86 years earlier, and Henry did not refuse. A letter written by Elena to her mother states that Henry believed the babies’ father to be René de Chalon and indeed, the time of his conception coincided with René and Elizabeth’s coming to England. Incidentally, Henry was later to arrange for Maximilian to enter the Church, not wanting to be succeeded by another man’s son.
A few weeks after Maximilian’s birth, a hunting party was organised. In the course of the afternoon, Christina’s horse tripped and fell, crushing her under its weight. She was conscious when servants brought her back to the Palace and ask to make her last will and testament. In it, she asked for masses to be said for the departed souls of her daughter Dorothea and her friend Deianira, whom she forgave, as well as Deianira’s daughter Francesca. This was viewed by some as the proof that she had indeed been responsible for her rival’s death. She herself said nothing about it.
The circumstances of Christina’s accident were subject to debate as well, and some have argued that it was a disguised murder, ordered by Henry himself.
Children
1 Christina of England (1539-1601)
2 miscarriage (1540)
3 Christian, Duke of Somerset (1541-1560)
4 Dorothea of England (1542-1542)
5 Isabella of England (1543-1625)
6 Dorothea of England (1545-1621)
7 Maximilian of England, Archbishop of Canterbury (1545-1610)
2 miscarriage (1540)
3 Christian, Duke of Somerset (1541-1560)
4 Dorothea of England (1542-1542)
5 Isabella of England (1543-1625)
6 Dorothea of England (1545-1621)
7 Maximilian of England, Archbishop of Canterbury (1545-1610)
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