Pimpin' 16th century style

Everyone knows the song "Henry VIII I am, Henry VIII I am I am," but does anyone truly know the story of Henry and all those wives??

“The Six Wives of Henry VIII”, written by Alison Weir, is a wonderful presentation of historical information about Henry and his many wives. Weir, who was born in London and has also lived in Norfolk and Sussex, now lives in Surrey with her husband and two children. She has written many other books including, “Children of England: The Heirs of King Henry VIII,” “The Princes in the Tower,” and “Elizabeth the Queen,” among others. Weir has no bias in “The Six Wives of Henry VIII.” She gives compelling, factual information; her opinion cannot be detected anywhere in the book. Her main agenda was to inform the reader about Henry VIII and his not so successful marriages. She presents facts based on many primary sources, such as love letters between Henry VIII and his wives.

Weir's main point throughout the book is that Henry thought of one thing and only one thing during all six of his marriages: a male heir. Although Weir also states that Henry only had two rather successful marriages, those with Jane Seymour and Katherine Parr, the point she really drives home is Henry's need for a male heir. It's not just that Henry wanted a male heir. It's that he needed one. He needed to keep the royal succession in his family. Henry's son, Edward VI, born from Jane Seymour, did grow to rule England after Henry's death, but only for a short while. Edward ruled from age 9 to age 16, before dying of consumption, know today as tuberculosis.

Weir's book tells how each of Henry's wives came to be queen and how every marriage came to a tragic end. His union to Catherine of Aragon came to an end when she was unable to produce a male heir.

Henry lusted after Anne Boleyn next, only for Boleyn to end up on the block for committing adultery during the royal marriage. The charges were undeniably false, even though she was flirtatious. Unfortunately, Henry was still in need of a male heir.

Next Jane Seymour caught the eye of Henry. They were wed and Jane gave birth to a healthy male heir for Henry, but soon after died of childbirth complications.

Anne of Cleves was next in line to marry Henry, but he was so utterly repulsed by her, they never consummated their marriage. This merited easy grounds for an annulment, which Henry did immediately after his wandering eye had fallen upon another. Her name was Katherine Howard. However, she was promiscuous before and during her marriage to Henry. She too was sent to the block on charges of adultery.

Henry's last, and final wife, was Katherine Parr. One of his favorite wives, who was widowed shortly after marriage. They never had any children. Henry died and was buried next to his favorite wife of all, Jane Seymour. She, of course, had been the only one to supply Henry with the male heir he desperately desired.

From this book, the horrifying truth of the English government and what it can do to punish accused individuals was presented. For example, the five men accused of committing adultery with Anne Boleyn were put to death without the chance to rebut the charges brought against them. Compared to the women in Weir's book, women today have no virtue what-so-ever and definitely would have been shunned. It was also strange to think that Henry had not consummated his marriage to Anne of Cleves because she had body odor. Henry had a gash on his leg that oozed pus and had to be redressed many times a day, which stunk as well. Is this not the pot calling the kettle black? There are many societal differences in today's day in age as opposed to the Tudor England period.

Weir's book showed how shameful the justice system was in England at this time, but also showed praiseworthiness in its virtuous women. Today's society has learned from England's experience in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Can one walk outside and see people to be known as "heretics" burning on a stake in one's front yard? Can one travel to the capital and see people kneeling at the block? Does our nation even have a king or queen presiding over its people? The answer to all of these is a resounding "no." Our country has definitely learned from England's past experiences.