by Casey-Leigh Hethers

Created on: August 14, 2010

Of the Tudor family, perhaps the most noted and controversial in the dynasty is the legacy of Henry VIII and his six wives. As was the custom of the time, the monarchy could only be closest to stability with the assurance of a male heir to take over from its ruling king, which Henry VIII - King of England (1509-1547) - was aware. Marriages were often arranged in early childhood between powerful families in order to form alliances and strong links to benefit monarchies in politics. The order of the fate each of his wives met with are remembered in the popular mnemonic: "divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived".

The first wife of Henry VIII was originally betrothed and married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, who died before Henry VII. Henry VII had planned for his son, the expected heir apparent to the English throne, to marry Catherine of Aragon - the daughter of the Spanish monarchs (Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon), who also came from a devout Catholic background, which would double the benefit of the English monarchy by strengthening relations with the Pope in Rome. After Arthur's death, Catherine of Aragon was held in England over a dispute about her dowry amount and whether or not the Tudors should return it with her to her parents.

Many scenarios presented themselves during the time Catherine remained in England as Arthur's widow: could she actually marry Henry VIII according to canon law of religion, which would alleviate the issue of returning the dowry money? Would there be any political gain to have Henry marry his brother's widow? The death of Catherine's mother meant that the value of her background had been reduced. Eventually after seven years - as we know - the marriage between Catherine and Henry was approved, making her the first of six wives to Henry VIII.

She reigned as Queen for twenty four years, something that arguably makes her one of the most successful. Historically, she made a strong religious figure, successfully appealing to spare the lives of rebels for the sake of their family and even proved a success in battle, riding out with the troops during the Battle of Flodden, while heavily pregnant, and acting as Queen Regent for England while her husband, Henry VIII, was out of the country in France. Between marriages, she served as Ambassador for Spain while she was detained in England, making her the first female in European history to do so.

She lost her good standing with Henry because of the numerous

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