Gransnet forums

Chat

The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir

(62 Posts)
Toetoe Sat 21-Mar-26 05:00:20

I love this history too . I look at these young girls who married Henry and can't imagine how they felt . Poor things . Frightening time to be alive and in the court .

Doodledog Sat 21-Mar-26 04:06:03

That should read ‘One theory’ 🙄

Doodledog Sat 21-Mar-26 04:05:26

I’m be theory about Henry is that he suffered from Kell Syndrome. People who have it are affected in various ways, including psychotic episodes (which he had) and the inability to have more than one child with any partner. The sex doesn’t matter - sufferers can produce male or female babies, but after the first one maternal antibodies attack foetuses in utero. Catherine had Mary, so subsequent babies died or were miscarried. It was the same with Anne - after Elizabeth she couldn’t carry to term. Jane had Edward. She died soon afterwards, but would not have produced any more children if Henry did have Kell blood.

It’s an interesting theory, but is still unproven beyond doubt. There is evidence that at least one of Henry’s ancestors had the syndrome, which is hereditary, however, so it is a plausible hypothesis, and explains why he went from a fit, rational young man to an obese monster in older age - a situation that is often thought to be the result of a fall from a horse.

MayBee70 Sat 21-Mar-26 00:12:37

And she probably lost the son she could have given him by defeating the Scots in battle.

MarieElla Fri 20-Mar-26 23:25:26

She was a true princess of Royal Spanish blood and was treated appallingly by Henry and his affair partner, Nan Bullen...

MayBee70 Fri 20-Mar-26 23:01:51

There is but it’s subscribers only. I think they know when I’m interested in something and it ends up subscribers only.

MayBee70 Fri 20-Mar-26 22:58:59

It’s a bit dry isn’t it. There are more on that page that look more interesting. I can listen to In Our Time again thankfully. I usually listen to them at night when I’m trying to get to sleep. She was quite an amazing woman and people forget that she and Henry were happily married for a long time, or that she fought battles…and won. I wonder if there’s a Rest is History about her?

Allira Fri 20-Mar-26 22:52:19

Yes I was surprised about the timescale eg between her first marriage and her second.

I think Henry was only about ten when his brother died. He married Katherine at 17, nearly 18. Katherine was older, 23 I believe.

fancyflowers Fri 20-Mar-26 22:47:10

Thank you for that link it's very interesting.

MayBee70 Fri 20-Mar-26 22:41:13

youtu.be/-QWoBvexhoY?si=k-I6VVFLK9wWct5h
This is one of the utube ones ( if the link works). There are several more.

MayBee70 Fri 20-Mar-26 22:34:51

I tend to get obsessed with certain periods of history and my latest obsession has been Katherine of Aragon. There’s a series on Ch4 catchup; The Spanish Queen and I wanted to know which bits were accurate. I scour all the historical podcasts so I can learn about whoever I’m interested in. I started listening to In Our Time the other night but annoyingly fell asleep. And when that happens with In Our Time sometimes it won’t play again. Yes I was surprised about the timescale eg between her first marriage and her second. The problem with her dowry etc. However being me once I’ve learned everything my goldfish brain forgets all of it straight away. I often find things on utube as well. Going to check up on the In Our Time one. They’re very informative but quite dry compared to some podcasts. Thanks for reminding me…

fancyflowers Fri 20-Mar-26 20:10:37

This is my current reading, and I am amazed at how hard a life Katherine of Aragon had before she became Henry VIII's wife. She was short of money, to the point where she had hardly enough food and couldn't pay her ladies in waiting. Alison Weir's book is truly enlightening.