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Letter of Anne of Cleves to her husband, King
Henry VIII Background Henry was very impressed by this letter. Its tone of respectful subservience to his wishes inspired his gratitude. Despite his reputation for tyranny, the great king could be kind and generous. Anne had little cause to think ill of him. After all, most historians focus on Henry's feelings in this matter - but perhaps the lady from Cleves was less than enamored with her husband and was equally desperate to escape the marriage. According to all reports, she learned to love English beer and grew plump and happy in her adopted country. Pleaseth your most excellent majesty to understand that,
whereas, at sundry times heretofore, I have been informed and perceived by
certain lords and others your grace's council, of the doubts and questions
which have been moved and found in our marriage; and how hath petition
thereupon been made to your highness by your nobles and commons, that the
same might be examined and determined by the holy clergy of this realm; to
testify to your highness by my writing, that which I have before promised by
my word and will, that is to say, that the matter should be examined and
determined by the said clergy; it may please your majesty to know that,
though this case must needs be most hard and sorrowful unto me, for the
great love which I bear to your most noble person, yet, having more regard
to God and his truth than to any worldly affection, as it beseemed me, at
the beginning, to submit me to such examination and determination of the
said clergy, whom I have and do accept for judges competent in that
behalf. So now being ascertained how the same clergy hath therein
given their judgment and sentence, I acknowledge myself hereby to accept and
approve the same, wholly and entirely putting myself, for my state and
condition, to your highness' goodness and pleasure; most humbly beseeching
your majesty that, though it be determined that the pretended matrimony
between us is void and of none effect, whereby I neither can nor will repute
myself for your grace's wife, considering this sentence (whereunto I stand)
and your majesty's clean and pure living with me, yet it will please you to
take me for one of your humble servants, and so determine of me, as I may
sometimes have the fruition of your most noble presence; which as I shall
esteem for a great benefit, so, my lords and others of your majesty's
council, now being with me, have put me in comfort thereof; and that your
highness will take me for your sister; for the which I most humbly thank you
accordingly.
to Letters of the Six Wives of Henry VIII to
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