Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Episode 5.Episode 5 of the long-awaited tapestry shown in Wolf Hall episode 3.

Episode 5 continues this by detailing the oddities in the courtship between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. Thomas Cromwell’s role in the proceedings is the focus, but strangely, the real story of their disastrous non-romance fades into the background. Even their initial meeting is merely described and not dramatized, which is a missed opportunity in this otherwise gripping series. This is a slight comedown from Wolf Hall’s previous episode which had Cromwell haunted by Anne Boleyn’s death.

Henry VIII’s Marriage To Anne Of Cleves Was Political

Henry’s Fourth Marriage Was Not A Personal Match

Before his marriage to Anne of Cleves, Henry had already been married three times to women he had gotten to know before marrying, which was quite remarkable for a royal at the time. At least two of these were love marriages, shown in the nine-year-old Wolf Hall season 1. Following the death of Jane Seymour, Henry genuinely grieved, according to HRP. He kept to himself for quite some time after her death, the court draped in black. Since Jane had finally given him the son he had wanted for so many years, Henry may not have felt optimistic about another marriage.

Having an heir and a “spare” was common practice at a time with a high infant mortality rate. However, it was not just this that drove Henry to marry again – he needed allies. Anne was the daughter of a prominent German duke – William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berge (per English Heritage). He was an influential nobleman with lands north of Düsseldorf. would have been a prudent ally choice at the time. This was because Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Francis I of had both vowed not to ally with Henry and were advised to attack by Pope Paul III.

Henry’s Disguise Prank Actually Happened

Disguises Were A Part Of Courtly Love Tradition

According to HRP, Henry and Anne of Cleves had a rather embarrassing first meeting. Upon Anne’s arrival in England, she was told she would have a few days to prepare to meet the King. However, Henry was too impatient to wait that long. The Wolf Hall episode recounts his intention to surprise Anne by showing up in disguise to meet her – remarkably, the show misses the opportunity to dramatize the incident, only describing the outcome and Anne’s bewilderment at the disguise, unfamiliar with “Amour Courtois”.

Henry, having a traditional view of monarchy, played into courtly love traditions often...

Meetings in disguise were a part of English courtly tradition that Anne did not understand, so she can’t be blamed for being taken aback. Henry, having a traditional view of monarchy, played into courtly love traditions often, and the narrative of disguise was common in early modern literary tradition. For example, Arthurian myths featured disguises as part of their chivalric romance, which Henry always idolized. The Tudor period saw a major revival of these sensibilities (On the Tudor Trail). This added to Henry’s embarrassment, since he was trying to inject some charm into their diplomatic arrangement.

Anne Of Cleves Is Unfairly Known As The “Ugly” Wife

Henry VIII Did Not Find Anne Of Cleves Attractive

According to Royal History Geeks, Henry complained about Anne’s appearance. Her nose was much bigger than it was in her painting – this much is true, since the painting Henry VIII fell in love with originally showed a larger nose, but was painted over. He also claimed she had smallpox scars and was plain. When seeking an annulment, he also complained to his doctor that Anne was unable to arouse him – four honeymoon nights ed with no consummation of the marriage. In addition, he found her body undesirable. He summed up his opinion of Anne with “I like her not”.

However, Henry kept on the artist responsible for Anne’s portrait as a royal painter, and kissed Anne upon meeting her, so it is unlikely he was as repelled by her as he described. It is more likely that the painter depicted a flattering angle of Anne but also that they got off on the wrong foot and did not improve. Anne not playing into the game of courtly love was a culture clash, and the pair didn’t seem to have any chemistry. However, it is unlikely that he was rude to her face. Anne described him as a kind husband.

Anne of Cleves Accepted Henry’s Annulment Gracefully

Anne’s Decorum In The Proceedings Helped Her Position

Katherine’s steadfast resistance to their annulment was likely fresh in Henry VIII’s mind. However, to his relief, Anne of Cleves did not have the personal and political reasons to resist the annulment that Katherine of Aragon did. She also knew and was likely advised that she was entirely at Henry’s mercy, much like Wolf Hall’s Mary was when accepting her illegitimacy. According to Tudor Times, Anne of Cleves accepted the news of her and Henry’s annulment “without alteration of countenance”. She said in a dictated letter that she was comforted by Henry’s intent to treat her like a sister.

Anne’s grace in accepting the annulment greatly helped the settlement she would receive from Henry, who she got along with personally. She received a generous annual income of £4,000, access to more than one royal property, and was awarded a high rank. She also visited court often and was beloved by Henry’s daughters Elizabeth and Mary, and even attended Mary’s coronation procession, which was allegedly Anne’s last public appearance (per Tudor Times). Compared to Henry’s other wives, Wolf Hall’s Anne of Cleves had a good lot in the end. Her “patience under affliction” was ired by her contemporaries.

Source: HRP, English Heritage, On the Tudor Trail, Royal History Geeks