Will they only remember him because he had six wives?(p. 2)
Since I was a high school student, I am weak at the world history. So, before I read this book, I was no nervous. I prepared my dictionary and a history text book of my high school on the desk. Then, I started reading. This book is written in the style where a main character tells letters to her maid, Margaret. the letters were from the wives of Henry Ⅷ. so, the readers can be Margaret and know the story of the famous king. Therefore, this book is easy to read and interesting!
King Henry the Eight of England was famous for many thing, especially for two things. First, he is so famous for the religious reform. He founded the Anglican Church to divorce his first wife. Second, he is famous because he had six wives. This book mainly talks about it.
His first wife was Katherine of Aragon. She was Spanish, and she came over to England to marry Henry's brother Arthur. But he died, and she married Henry then. She became his wife and queen for twenty-four years. But, Henry wanted a son for his heir. Katherine gave him a daughter, Princess Marry. Henry divorced her and was in love with Ann Boleyn. Of course, the Pope of the Catholic Church didn't agree to the divorce. So Henry broke with the Pope and the Catholic Church, and that's how the Church of England began. He became Head of the Church, and the Pope was very angry. That made a lot of trouble both in England and Europe. at that time, there were a lot of fighting and killing, and that was such a terrible time. Henry wanted a son a lot not to cause such a thing again after his death. He must have a son, and he decided to marry again. However, she only game him a daughter, Princess Elizabeth. And he was tired of her because she was a strong and tried to tell Henry what to do. He beheaded her on the grounds that she had lovers. Just ten days after Ann's death, Henry married Jane Seymour. Henry loved her and she gave him a son, who is know as King Edward now. Henry got a son at last, but Jane died after she gave the king a son. Then, after Queen Jane died, Henry was very sad and lonely. He wanted a new wife, and he wanted a second son. Children can die at any time, and Edward wasn't strong. So, everybody looked for a beautiful woman and Ann of Cleves was recommended at that time. Henry didn't see her for himself, ans his artist Holbein was sent to paint a picture of her. He painted a fine picture of Ann and sent it back to Henry. The picture was so beautiful that he was surprised when he saw her really. She was different from the pretty picture. He divorced her soon, but she didn't protect against that. Then, after that, he still wanted to have a son, and he married Katherine Howard. He was in love with the young and beautiful girl. But, Katherine had a lover called Thomas Cuipeper and met him secretly. Henry knew that and got very angry, so sent her lover to prison, and killed katherine. Then, the last wife Parr, the main character of this book. Margaret hear the story her lade married the king. At that time, Henry didn't want a wife but a mother for his children. Catherine was nice to the children, but she was nearly killed by his husband. But she could be forgiven and can say the story to her maid then.
When I read this book, I was Margaret. And I was so shocked. The letters from his wives are so surprising and miserable. After all, even if we know the history, the person's feeling is only known by themselves. You will be surprised at the difference between the historical knowledge and the letters!
Hardy-Gould Janet.
HenryⅧ and his six wives(1996). Oxford University: England
