10 Questions about Anne of Cleves | People

Answer: September 22, 1515

She was the second child of John III, Duke of Cleves and Mary of Julich-Berg-Ravensberg, born in Dusseldorf.

Answer: True

He sent his favourite court painter, Hans Holbein, to Germany in order to obtain likenesses of Anne and her sister Amelia. Holbein's masterpiece of Anne was a full-face portrait, which probably made her look better than she did in person. Other portraits of her reveal an angular face with a long nose, not at all obvious in the painting sent to Henry VIII.

Answer: All of these

Henry claimed that he just could not bring himself to consummate the marriage, and called Anne a "great Flander's mare." Fortunately Anne could not speak English very well at this point, and remained blissfully unaware of the controversy for quite a long time.

Answer: No

Aside from the fact that Anne had never done anything that anyone could accuse her of (not that this ever stopped him before), Henry did not contemplate having her executed because of the political situation in Europe at the time. His choices were to stay married or obtain a divorce.

Answer: Thomas Cromwell

Henry had to have a scapegoat for the mess he was in. Earlier in his career Cromwell was instrumental in arranging the divorce from Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn's execution. Poetic justice, I think.

Answer: Sister

Anne attended Henry's weddings to both Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr.

Answer: No

Anne continued to live quietly and graciously on the estates that Henry VIII had granted her, but she was never to marry again. Smart woman, given her circumstances.

Answer: No

Her mother died shortly after Anne's divorce, and she seems to have not cared much for her rigidly protestant brother, so she stayed in England, where she had a higher standard of living and a great deal of personal freedom.

Answer: True

Anne and Mary were approximately the same age, and Anne converted to Catholicism, which pleased Mary very much. She was present at Mary's coronation and her wedding.

Answer: False

Anne died shortly before Mary I, after a brief illness, mourned by all who knew her. Mary, who was devastated, had her buried in Westminster Abbey, where her tomb can still be seen. She was the last survivor of Henry VIII's wives, and saw the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Jane, and Mary I.