Anne of Cleves

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Anne of Cleves was Henry VIII’s fourth wife and Queen of England for six months in 1540. Early Life Anne was born in 1515 in Düsseldorf in the Holy Roman Empire, in what is now Germany. She was the second daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and his wife, Maria. She had two sisters, Sibylle and Amalia, and a brother, William. While not very well educated, Anne was skilled at needlework and enjoyed playing card games. She could read and write but only in her native German.

Marriage to Henry VIII After the death of Henry VIII’s third Despite this, Henry and Anne were wife in 1537, Henry’s advisors began married on 6th January 1540 at the asking him to consider marrying again. Palace of Placentia in London. His chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, The marriage was not a happy one suggested Henry consider marrying a from the start, with Henry saying to lady from Cleves, a growing power in Cromwell the day after their wedding, Europe. He suggested either Anne or ‘I liked her before not well, but now I her younger sister, Amalia. In order like her much worse.’ Despite Henry’s to persuade Henry, the artist Hans dislike of Anne, she always praised Holbein the Younger was sent to their him as a kind husband to those she home to paint portraits of both ladies. spoke with. Henry found Anne’s portrait to be pleasing and gave permission for a marriage contract to be drawn up.

Henry first met Anne in person privately on New Year’s Day 1540 at Rochester Abbey. Upon meeting her, he was said to be disappointed in her appearance, arguing that she was nothing like she had been described to him. He used his dislike of Anne’s appearance to argue against the marriage, saying that he had been misled by his advisors.

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The King’s Beloved Sister On 24th June 1540, six months into the marriage, Anne was told that Henry was reconsidering the marriage. She consented to an annulment without argument, pleasing Henry, and the marriage was ended on 9th July.

As Anne had not argued against the annulment, Henry gave her a very generous settlement ensuring she was well cared for, including money and land. Henry also began referring to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’, saying that she should be treated with the highest respect and that she was more important than all other women in England, except for his wife and daughters. She was often invited to court for celebrations and maintained a friendship with Henry and his daughters, especially Elizabeth. After Henry’s Death After Henry’s death on 28th January 1547, Anne continued to live in England. When Mary became Queen of England in 1553, Anne was part of her coronation procession.

Anne died on 16th July 1557 and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 3rd August. By all accounts, Anne was a generous and peaceful woman, courteous to all and well thought of by those who met her.

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1. What was the name of Anne’s father?

2. Which of these activities was Anne skilled in? Tick two. needlework cooking card games music

3. Who suggested Anne as a potential wife to Henry VIII?

4. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.

5. What did Henry refer to Anne as after their divorce? Tick one. his beloved aunt his beloved daughter his beloved mother his beloved sister

6. Which two adjectives are used in the text to describe Anne’s personality?

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7. Why do you think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce?

8. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce?

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1. What was the name of Anne’s father? John III, Duke of Cleves

2. Which of these activities was Anne skilled in? Tick two.  needlework cooking  card games music

3. Who suggested Anne as a potential wife to Henry VIII? Henry’s chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, suggested Anne as a potential wife.

4. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer. Pupil’s own response, such as: No, Henry and Anne’s first meeting did not go well as Henry was disappointed in her appearance. He argued that she did not look as she had been described to him and he tried to argue against marrying her because of this.

5. What did Henry refer to Anne as after their divorce? Tick one. his beloved aunt his beloved daughter his beloved mother  his beloved sister

6. Which two adjectives are used in the text to describe Anne’s personality? Accept any two of: generous, peaceful, courteous.

7. Why do you think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce as she consented to the annulment rather than arguing against it which Henry probably appreciated.

8. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce because it would have made Henry angry and caused her many more problems. It was not a happy marriage so she probably knew it was the best choice.

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Marriage to Henry VIII After the death of Henry VIII’s third Henry first met Anne in person privately wife, Jane, in 1537, Henry’s advisors on New Year’s Day 1540 at Rochester began asking him to consider marrying Abbey. Upon meeting her, he was said again. His chief minister, Thomas to be disappointed in her appearance, Cromwell, was keen for Henry to arguing that she was nothing like she pursue an alliance with Cleves as they had been described to him. He used his were part of the same faith as the new dislike of Anne’s appearance to argue Church of England. Cromwell suggested against the marriage, saying that he Henry consider marrying either Anne had been misled by his advisors. or her younger sister, Amalia. In order Nevertheless, Henry and Anne were to persuade Henry, the artist Hans married on 6th January 1540 at the Holbein the Younger was sent to their Palace of Placentia in London. home to paint portraits of both ladies, under strict instructions to make the The marriage was not a happy one paintings as realistic as possible and from the start, with Henry saying to not to flatter them. Cromwell the day after their wedding, ‘I liked her before not well, but now I After Holbein returned with the like her much worse.’ Despite Henry’s portraits, Henry found Anne’s portrait dislike of Anne, she always praised to be pleasing and gave permission for him as a kind husband to those she a marriage contract to be drawn up. A spoke with. formal marriage treaty was signed on 4th October 1539 and Anne travelled to England.

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The King’s Beloved Sister On 24th June 1540, six months into the marriage, Anne was ordered to leave court. On 6th July she was told that Henry was reconsidering the marriage. Anne consented to an annulment without argument, pleasing Henry, and the marriage was ended on 9th July.

Cromwell, who was the driving force behind the marriage, was arrested for a number of crimes including treason and was executed on 28th July.

As Anne had not argued against the annulment, Henry gave her a very generous settlement ensuring she was well cared for, including Hever Castle, the former home of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Henry also began referring to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’, saying that she should be treated with the highest respect and that she was more important than all other women in England, except for his wife and daughters. She was often invited to court for celebrations and maintained a friendship with Henry and his daughters, especially Elizabeth. After Henry’s Death

Anne died on 16th July 1557 and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 3rd August. By all accounts, Anne was a generous and peaceful woman, courteous to all and well thought of by those who met her.

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1. Where was Anne born? Tick one. Westminster Abbey Palace of Placentia Düsseldorf, Holy Roman Empire Hever Castle

2. Fill in the missing words. Anne was skilled at and enjoyed playing games. She could read and but only in her native .

3. Who was sent to paint portraits of Anne and Amalia?

4. What did Henry refer to Anne as after their divorce?

5. Tick to show whether each statement is true or false.

True False

Anne’s parents were called John and Sibylle. Anne met Henry on New Year’s Eve 1540

Anne had a strong friendship with Henry’s daughter Elizabeth. Anne was part of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation procession.

6. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.

7. Why do you think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits?

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com Anne of Cleves 8. Why do you think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce?

9. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce?

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1. Where was Anne born? Tick one. Westminster Abbey Palace of Placentia  Düsseldorf, Holy Roman Empire Hever Castle

2. Fill in the missing words. Anne was skilled at needlework and enjoyed playing card games. She could read and write but only in her native German.

3. Who was sent to paint portraits of Anne and Amalia? Hans Holbein the Younger

4. What did Henry refer to Anne as after their divorce? Henry referred to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’.

5. Tick to show whether each statement is true or false.

True False

Anne’s parents were called John and Sibylle.  Anne met Henry on New Year’s Eve 1540 

Anne had a strong friendship with Henry’s daughter Elizabeth. 

Anne was part of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation procession. 

6. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer. Pupil’s own response, such as: No, Henry and Anne’s first meeting did not go well as Henry was disappointed in her appearance. He argued that she did not look as she had been described to him and he tried to argue against marrying her because of this.

7. Why do you think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits because Henry wanted to know what they really looked like if he was going to marry them. He wanted to know if he would like their appearance as it is rather than after an artist had painted them making them more attractive.

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com Anne of Cleves Answers 8. Why do you think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Henry treated Anne well after their divorce as she consented to the annulment rather than arguing against it which Henry probably appreciated.

9. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce because it would have made Henry angry and caused her many more problems. It was not a happy marriage so she probably knew it was the best choice.

Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com Anne of Cleves Anne of Cleves was Henry VIII’s fourth wife and Queen of England for six months in 1540. Early Life Anne was born in 1515 in Düsseldorf in the Holy Roman Empire, in what is now Germany. She was the second daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and his wife, Maria. She had two sisters, Sibylle and Amalia, and a brother, William. While not very well educated, Anne was skilled at needlework and enjoyed playing card games. She could read and write but only in her native German. In 1525, when Anne was 11, she was betrothed to Francis, son of the Duke of Lorraine who himself was only ten years old but was cancelled in 1535.

Marriage to Henry VIII After the death of Henry VIII’s 4th October 1539 and Anne travelled third wife, Jane, in 1537, Henry’s to England. advisors began asking him to consider Henry first met Anne in person privately marrying again. His chief minister, on New Year’s Day 1540 at Rochester Thomas Cromwell, was keen for Henry Abbey. Upon meeting her, he was said to pursue an alliance with Cleves as to be disappointed in her appearance, they were the head of the Protestant arguing that she was nothing like she Confederation of Germany, the beliefs of had been described to him. He used his which supported that of Cromwell and dislike of Anne’s appearance to argue the Reformation. Cromwell suggested against the marriage, saying that he Henry consider marrying either Anne had been misled by his advisors. or her younger sister, Amalia. In order to persuade Henry, the artist Hans Nevertheless, Henry and Anne were Holbein the Younger was sent to their married on 6th January 1540 at the home to paint portraits of both ladies, Palace of Placentia in London. under strict instructions to make the The marriage was not a happy one paintings as realistic as possible and from the start, with Henry saying to not to flatter them. Cromwell the day after their wedding, After Holbein returned with the ‘I liked her before not well, but now I portraits, Henry found Anne’s portrait like her much worse.’ Despite Henry’s to be pleasing and gave permission for dislike of Anne, she always praised a marriage contract to be drawn up. A him as a kind husband to those she formal marriage treaty was signed on spoke with.

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Cromwell, who was the driving force behind the marriage, was blamed for its failure and was arrested for a number of crimes including treason. He was executed on 28th July.

As Anne had not argued against the annulment, unlike his first wife Catherine of Aragon, Henry gave her a very generous settlement ensuring she was well cared for, including Hever Castle, the former home of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Henry also began referring to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’, saying that she should be treated with the highest respect and that she was more important than all other women in England, except for his wife and daughters. She was often invited to court for celebrations and maintained a friendship with Henry and his daughters, especially Elizabeth. After Henry’s Death

After Henry’s death on 28th January 1547, Anne continued to live in England. When Mary became Queen of England in 1553, Anne was part of her coronation procession. She converted to the Catholic faith during Mary’s reign as the new queen was a strict Catholic. Anne’s relationship with Mary soured in 1554 after a rebellion, known as ‘Wyatt’s Rebellion’, with the goal of replacing Mary with her half-sister Elizabeth. Anne’s close relationship to Elizabeth convinced the queen that Anne supported the plot to remove her and Anne was sent to live a quiet life on her estates away from court.

Anne died on 16th July 1557 and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 3rd August. She was the last of Henry VIII’s wives to die, Catherine Parr having died nine years before her. By all accounts, Anne was a generous and peaceful woman, courteous to all and well thought of by those who met her.

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1. Which of these was not one of Anne’s siblings? Tick one. John Sibylle Amalia William

2. Look at the first paragraph in the section namedMarriage to Henry VIII. Find and copy one word which means to follow or chase.

3. How was Henry persuaded to marry Anne?

4. Where were Henry and Anne married?

5. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.

6. Why do you think Anne was treated so well by Henry after the end of their marriage?

7. Put these events in Anne’s life in the order in which they happened. One has been done for you. Anne was part of Mary’s coronation procession. 1 Anne was born in Düsseldorf. Anne married Henry VIII. Anne was buried in Westminster Abbey. Henry started to refer to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’.

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com Anne of Cleves 8. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce?

9. Why do you think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits?

10. Why do you think Thomas Cromwell was blamed for the failure of Henry’s marriage to Anne?

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1. Which of these was not one of Anne’s siblings? Tick one.  John Sibylle Amalia William

2. Look at the first paragraph in the section namedMarriage to Henry VIII. Find and copy one word which means to follow or chase. Persue

3. How was Henry persuaded to marry Anne? Henry was shown a portrait of Anne which was painted by Hans Holbein the Younger Her appearance in the portrait pleased him and he agreed to the marriage.

4. Where were Henry and Anne married? The Palace of Placentia

5. Did Henry and Anne’s first meeting go well? Why? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer. Pupil’s own response, such as: No, Henry and Anne’s first meeting did not go well as Henry was disappointed in her appearance. He argued that she did not look like how she had been described to him and he tried to argue against marrying her because of this.

6. Why do you think Anne was treated so well by Henry after the end of their marriage? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Anne was treated so well by Henry after the end of their marriage because she did not argue against the King’s wishes and made the divorce easy for him, unlike his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. His good treatment of her shows that he appreciated her compliance in their separation.

7. Put these events in Anne’s life in the order in which they happened. One has been done for you. 4 Anne was part of Mary’s coronation procession. 1 Anne was born in Düsseldorf. 2 Anne married Henry VIII. 5 Anne was buried in Westminster Abbey. 3 Henry started to refer to Anne as his ‘beloved sister’.

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com Anne of Cleves Answers 8. Why do you think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Anne chose not to argue against the divorce because it would have made Henry angry and caused her many more problems. It was not a happy marriage so she probably knew it was the best choice.

9. Why do you think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Hans Holbein the Younger was instructed to not flatter Anne and Amalia in their portraits because Henry wanted to know what they really looked like if he was going to marry them. He wanted to know if he would like their appearance as it is rather than after an artist had painted them making them more attractive.

10. Why do you think Thomas Cromwell was blamed for the failure of Henry’s marriage to Anne? Pupil’s own response, such as: I think Thomas Cromwell was blamed for the failure of the marriage as it was him who had pushed Henry to make an alliance with Cleves through marriage as they supported the reformation and his own beliefs. Henry was probably angry with Cromwell for making him marry someone he didn’t like and so he ended up being executed.

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