The wives of Henry VIII have captivated imaginations for centuries. A powerful blend of romance, ambition, tragedy, and political intrigue, each marriage tells a unique story about love, betrayal, and survival within the brutal world of Tudor court life as Henry’s desperate quest for a male heir reshaped England forever, cataclysmically breaking away from the Catholic Church leading to the English Reformation and the creation of the Church of England.

Each wife had her own unique story: Catherine of Aragon’s long, loyal struggle to keep her crown; Anne Boleyn’s fiery rise and devastating fall; Jane Seymour’s quiet triumph in giving Henry his longed-for son; Anne of Cleves’ escape from an unwanted marriage; Catherine Howard’s youthful recklessness and tragic execution; and Catherine Parr’s role as nurse, survivor, and stepmother. Their lives reveal the dangers and demands of Tudor court life, where a woman’s fate could change in an instant based on the King’s favour or fury.

The personal drama, from passion to heartbreak to execution, mirrors the broader shifts of an era defined by religious upheaval and dynastic ambition. Modern audiences remain fascinated through art, literature, film and television because these stories feel both epic and deeply personal, revealing timeless human emotions against a backdrop of glittering courts and ruthless politics. Each queen, whether she met a tragic end or survived Henry’s moods, has become a figure of historical fascination in her own right. Together, they form a saga that is endlessly rich, offering insights into power, gender, and the human cost of a king’s desire. Henry VIII’s six wives are not just footnotes to history – they are history.

Our Six Wives set of Note books honours the women who, in a world of men, endured a dangerously unpredictable monarchs’ obsession. All suffered. Not all survived.