A poetic look at what happened to Henry’s wives.

Image via Wikipedia
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Old Henry was a king of some ill repute
And for ladies he had quite a roving eye.
He loved the little ways in which they flattered him
And thought nothing of church rulings from on high.

Catherine of Aragon
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The first wife that he took was Katharine from Aragon
Betrothed to Henry’s brother she had been.
But she did not bear the son that Henry desperately did want
So no longer would he keep her for his queen.
He divorced her.

Ann Boleyn
Image via Wikipedia
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Now Ann Boleyn was a witty and sharp tongued lass.
As head of the Church, he could take her for his wife,
But she too was unable to bear the longed for son
And he no longer wanted her in his life.
She was beheaded

Jane Seymore
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Though Henry desired a wife who’d give him an heir
In contrast his third wife was meek and mild.
She cowered from Henry and often hid away
But amazingly she bore him a boy child.
She died.

Ann of Cleves
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The next wife, Ann of Cleves, did not attract the king.
He was not impressed by the Flanders mare.
He found he could not do what a husband ought to do
And both wanted a quick end to the affair.
He divorced her.

Catherine Howard
Image via Wikipedia
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Catherine Howard, a flirtatious and emotional girl.
Was the wife that Henry really did prefer.
But she went out with younger men in betrayal of the King
And in disgust he soon got shot of her.
She was beheaded.

Catherine Parr
Image via Wikipedia
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Catherine Parr was the cleverest of all of Henry’s wives
But with another man she meant to spend her life.
However Henry decided she was just right for him
And insisted that she soon became his wife.
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But he died and she survived.
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Christine Ramsay 25.4.10
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