24. Anne of Cleves was first betrothed in the late 1530s. To whom was she engaged?
From Quiz Anne of Cleves: Fourth Wife of Henry VIII
Answer:
Francis I, Duke of Lorraine
Anne of Cleves was first betrothed when she was 11 years old. Francis was about 10. The engagement was brief and Francis ended up marrying Christina of Denmark, in 1541.
Anne's father, the Duke of Cleves and Francis' father, the Duke of Lorraine, signed a marriage contract for their children, Anne and Francis, in 1527. This was being brokered by the Duke of Guelders, who negotiated land and money for the marriage to take place. This fell through when the Duke of Guelders died in 1538, and Anne of Cleves' brother, William of Cleves, was named as his heir. The ambassador from Lorraine visited William in order to cement the marriage between Anne and Francis, however, Anne's brother felt differently than the Duke of Guelders, and would not agree to the marriage.