On This Day

English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation a

English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation and her pre-contract to Francis of Lorraine

Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII. Born in Düsseldorf to the House of La Marck, little is known about Anne before 1527, when she became betrothed to Francis, Duke of Bar, son and heir of Antoine, Duke of Lorraine, although their marriage did not proceed.

In March 1539, negotiations for Anne's marriage to Henry began. Henry believed he needed to form a political alliance with her brother, William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, a leader of the Protestants of Western Germany, to strengthen his position against potential attacks from Catholic France and the Holy Roman Empire.

Historical Significance

Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII.

Key People

Henry VIII

Anne of Cleves

Events Before

  1. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida

    Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida

  2. English King Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves, his 4th wife

    Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII.

  3. Emperor Charles receives Cardinal Pole in Toledo

    Emperor Charles receives Cardinal Pole in Toledo

  4. Jews of Tyrnau, Hungary (Trnava, Czechia) are expelled

    Jews of Tyrnau, Hungary (Trnava, Czechia) are expelled

  5. Charles, protestant German monarch, signs Treaty of Frankrfurt

    Charles, protestant German monarch, signs Treaty of Frankrfurt

Events After

  1. William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg marries Jeanne d'Albret, daughter of King Henry II of Navarre - against her will, s

    William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg marries Jeanne d'Albret, daughter of King Henry II of Navarre - against her will, she has to be carried to the altar (marriage annulled 1545)

  2. Michelangelo finishes painting "The Last Judgment" on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City [1]

    The Last Judgment (Italian: Il Giudizio Universale) is a fresco by the Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo covering the whole altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

  3. Santiago, Chile, founded (or Feb 24)

    Santiago, also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas.

  4. Santiago, Chile founded by Pedro de Valvidia (or 2/12)

    Pedro Gutiérrez de Valdivia or Valdiva was a Spanish conquistador and the first Governor of Colonial Chile.

  5. Ignatius of Loyola becomes the first Superior General of the Jesuits

    Ignatius of Loyola ( ig-NAY-shəs; Basque: Ignazio Loiolakoa; Spanish: Ignacio de Loyola; Latin: Ignatius de Loyola; born Íñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola; c. 23 October 1491 – 31 July 1556), venerated as...

More from the 1540s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 9, 1540?
Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII. Born in Düsseldorf to the House of La Marck, little is known about Anne before 1527, when she became betrothed to Francis, Duke of Bar, son and heir of Antoine, Duke of Lorraine, although their marriage did not proceed. In March 1539, negotiations for Anne's marriage to Henry began.
Why is English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of C... significant?
Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII.
Who was involved in English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of C...?
Key figures include Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves.

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