by Thomas West

Created on: October 18, 2009   Last Updated: October 19, 2009

Popularized through such films as The Other Boleyn Girl and series like The Tudors, in the past few years Henry VIII has become a household name. Known for his six tumultuous marriages, Henry has come to be characterized as either a brilliant ruler misguided in his search for a n heir or a power-hungry megalomaniac who cared about nothing except his own pleasure. The women who suffered or benefited as his wives, however, have tended to be shunted in the background. However, these six women-who were later immortalized in the divorced, beheaded, died rhyme-should be made the stars of their own show. Without them, Henry would very likely not have become as famous as he was later to be.

Katherine of Aragon
The daughter of Isabel and Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine was extremely well-educated, could speak several languages, and was raised in one of the finest courts of Europe. She and her sisters were married into several important royal families; Katherine herself was betrothed to and eventually married to Arthur, the eldest son and heir of Henry VII of England. Although all sources say they were a happily married couple, Prince Arthur's health was not good, and he soon succumbed to tuberculosis, leaving Katherine a widow.

Widowhood was an unfortunate state for Katherine, as she had no legal rights and was for all intents and purposes a prisoner in her former husband's land. Her parents and King Henry engaged in a vicious battle over various aspects of the dowry, and the aging king even considered marrying Katherine himself. Before he could do so, however, he died, and his second son and heir came to the throne as Henry VIII.

As one of his first acts as king, Henry married his former sister-in-law, and for several years they were very happy. Katherine was well-educated and was also adept in wifely duties such as sewing (she was well known for continuing to sew his shirts, even after he began his prolonged affair with Anne Boleyn.) In those early years, however, they were a very contented couple, as she represented everything Henry expected in his queen. What was more, she was incredibly popular with the English people, who had come to embrace her as one of their own. Henry seems to have really loved her; he often included her in his masquerades and carried her favors anytime he jousted. It was truly a happy marriage.

There was, however, a black cloud hanging over the relationship, for despite their many attempts Katherine was hardly ever able to carry a child to term.

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