On This Day
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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.

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

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Anne of Cleves

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Events Before

  1. The first university in the Americas, the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, is established in Santo Domingo

    The University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Spanish: Universidad de Santo Tomás de Aquino) is, from an historical perspective, the first university founded in the Americas.

  2. Dutchy of Guelders accepts rule of William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg

    Dutchy of Guelders accepts rule of William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg

  3. Treaty of Nagyvarad/Peace of Grosswardein signed between Ferdinand I of Austria and John Zápolya of Hungary.

    The Treaty of Nagyvárad was a secret peace agreement between Emperor Ferdinand I and John Zápolya, rival claimants to the Kingdom of Hungary, signed in Grosswardein / Várad on February 24, 1538.

  4. Catholic German monarchy signs League of Neuremberg, in response to the formation of the Protestant Schmalkaldic League

    Catholic German monarchy signs League of Neuremberg, in response to the formation of the Protestant Schmalkaldic League

  5. The City of Guayaquil is founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana and given the name Muy Noble y Muy Le

    The City of Guayaquil is founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana and given the name Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de Guayaquil

Events After

  1. The first recorded horse race meeting in England is held at Roodee Fields in Chester

    Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee, close to the England–Wales border.

  2. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition sets off from Mexico in search of the Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola)

    Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led a large expedition from what is now Mexico to present-day Kansas through what is now parts of the southwestern United...

  3. German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal

    German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal

  4. 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

  5. English King Henry VIII (49) weds Catherine Howard (16 or 17), his 5th wife

    Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547.

More from the 1530s

King Henry VIII declares himself head of the Church of England

Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547.

England's King Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn, his 2nd wife

Anne Boleyn (1501 or 1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536, as the second wife of King Henry VIII.

Lisbon hit by Earthquake; about 30,000 die

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, hit the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40…

English King Henry VIII's divorce request is denied by Pope Clement VII

English King Henry VIII's divorce request is denied by Pope Clement VII

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 4, 1539?
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 marries Anne of Cleves, his 4th wife 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 marries Anne of Cleves, his 4th wife?
Key figures include Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves.

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October 4 in HistoryYear 1539