The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England
(1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for
his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of
brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters,
memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to
life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of
principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for
vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne
of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the
court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an
empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who
survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.