8 Ways To Survive A Tryst With Henry VIII (According To The Women Who Did It)

1. Fail To Inspire The King To Consummate Your Marriage

Even if marriage became unavoidable there was still a way out; as demonstrated by Henry's forth wife, Anne Of Cleves. In striking contrast with all of Henry's wives and mistresses, Anne survived her relationship with Henry by putting him off the idea of sex entirely. The story of Henry's relationship with Anne of Cleves is one that is strangely relatable to anyone who has explored the world of online dating. Henry was shown a portrait of Anne and agreed to marry her based upon this alone but when she arrived in England from Germany he was horrified to discover that she looked nothing like her picture. Arguably, he should maybe have met her for a coffee before jumping straight to marriage but the deceptive painting actually played into Anne's favour and helped to assure her survival. Henry claimed that Anne's breasts sagged and that she had terrible body odour meaning that he could not consummate their marriage and had it annulled after only six months. Anne cooperated with the annulment and was rewarded handsomely receiving a large settlement that included Hever Castle and Richmond Palace. Henry also maintained a long lasting friendship with Anne and frequently invited her to visit him at the Royal Court where she became known as 'the King's beloved sister.' Anne not only survived her relationship with Henry but she also outlived him and all of his other five wives. Following her death in 1557, she was even buried in West Minister Abbey, an honour not granted to any of Henry VIII's other wives or mistresses.