Henry VIII Wives

He actually had just two wives, not six. Henry’s fourth marriage to Anne was annulled, as the marriage was never consummated, also Anne was betrothed to Francis, Duke of Lorraine. At the time ‘betrothal’ would bar the individual from marriage. That leaves 5 wives. Henry’s second marriage to Anne Boleyn was declared illegal by the pope, because the king was still married to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. That brings it to four. Henry, as the head of the church of England, declared himself that his first marriage was invalid on the grounds that a man cannot sleep with his brother’s widow. Now down to three. He did the same with his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, leaving just two wives.