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Anne of Cleves and Henry VIII

Anne of Cleves describes how Thomas Cromwell helped Henry VIII find a new bride. Henry was later to divorce Anne. She was paid handsomely and remained in England.

A portrait of Anne of Cleves comes to life in a gallery and she talks to the night time security guard about her life. In May 1539, the painter Hans Holbein was instructed by Thomas Cromwell to paint Henry VIII, not as he really was, but as a handsome, eligible bachelor in order to get Henry married. Many portraits were painted of potential brides for Henry to choose from. Henry was pleased with the selection, but it was well known that Henry had divorced his first wife, beheaded the second and that his third had died. No one wanted to marry him. Holbein was dispatched to Germany to paint the portrait of the sister of a German Duke. Henry wanted a beautiful wife and Anne's portrait was indeed very beautiful and she had agreed to marry Henry. Anne of Cleves was shipped off to England and a royal wedding was prepared. However, the portrait of Anne was more beautiful than she was in real life. Henry was not pleased with Holbein or Thomas Cromwell. Henry later divorced Anne and she was paid handsomely. Anne could not return to Germany because a divorce would have been regarded as an embarrassment for her family, so she stayed on in England.

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4 minutes