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The Marrying of Anne of Cleves: Royal Protocol in Tudor England
This book is a study of the marrying of Anne of Cleves to King Henry VIII. It contains fascinating material--including "demonic" interference and sexual politics at court--that differs greatly from the usual stereotyped accounts of Anne. It also provides a rich new context of royal courtship rituals, and a startling account of the king's failure to consummate his marriage. Henry's decision to ally himself with this German noblewoman in 1540 was in part a reaction to the Franco-Imperial Treaty mediated by Pope Paul III, who renewed a suspended bull of excommunication against Henry in the hope of isolating England diplomatically. The subsequent marriage procedures, from the advent of negotiations and the portrait of Anne by Hans Holbein the Younger to Henry's Rochester greeting of Anne--in disguise--and the Greenwich nuptials, all followed usual royal protocol. However, the king's sexual incapacity, which prevented the consummation of the marriage, culminated in the fall and subsequent execution of Thomas Cromwell and his client Lord Hungerford, who were both tarred with the brush of sexual heresy. Retha M. Warnicke is Professor of History at Arizona State University. She is the author of several books, including The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn (Cambridge 1989).
343 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Retha M. Warnicke
18 books28 followersProfessor Retha Marvine Warnicke (born 1939) American historian and Professor of History at Arizona State University. Warnicke graduated with a B.A. from Indiana University, magna cum laude, in 1961. She then moved on to Harvard University, were she earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in 1963 and 1969, respectively. During her junior year, she joined Phi Beta Kappa and in her senior year, she was granted the Listenfelt Scholarship, for outstanding Undergraduate History Major, following in 1961 with the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship.
From 1965 to 1966, Professor Warnicke was an instructor at Phoenix College. She went on to teach at Arizona State University (ASU) as a Lecturer from 1966 to 1967. She then left to pursue her Ph.D. before returning to ASU to continue as a Lecturer from 1969 to 1973. Warnicke rose through the ranks to Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor and finally Professor in 1973, 1976 and 1984, respectively. She was the Director of Graduate Studies at the History Department from 1987 - 1992, and she was Chair of the History Department from 1992-1998.
Professor Warnicke was the first woman hired in the History Department of ASU, and taught the first Women's History course ever offered there. Through her advocacy, lobbying efforts and participation in numerous search committees, the History Department began to add women and minority men to the department – and as a result, the History Department is nearly half female and has a large minority presence. In addition to her efforts in the History Department, Professor Warnicke has also devoted much of her time to affirmative action and faculty rights.
Professor Warnicke is an expert on politics and protocol at the Tudor Court, Gender Issues in the Early Modern Period (1400 - c. 1700) and Jacobean Funerary Rites for Women. She authored numerous articles, including Inventing the Wicked Women of Tudor England: Alice More, Anne Boleyn and Anne Stanhope and Sexual Heresy at the Court of Henry VIII. She is also the author of The Marrying of Anne of Cleves: Royal Protocol in Tudor England, which was published in 2000 by Cambridge. Her most recent book, Mary, Queen of Scots, which was published by Routledge in 2006, has received positive scholarly reviews.
She is most famous for her controversial theories over the life of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. These theories were outlined in various articles in the mid-1980s; Anne Boleyn's Childhood and Adolescence and Sexual Heresy at the Court of Henry VIII. The theories were built on and elaborated in her 1989 book The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn: Family politics at the court of Henry VIII.
From 1965 to 1966, Professor Warnicke was an instructor at Phoenix College. She went on to teach at Arizona State University (ASU) as a Lecturer from 1966 to 1967. She then left to pursue her Ph.D. before returning to ASU to continue as a Lecturer from 1969 to 1973. Warnicke rose through the ranks to Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor and finally Professor in 1973, 1976 and 1984, respectively. She was the Director of Graduate Studies at the History Department from 1987 - 1992, and she was Chair of the History Department from 1992-1998.
Professor Warnicke was the first woman hired in the History Department of ASU, and taught the first Women's History course ever offered there. Through her advocacy, lobbying efforts and participation in numerous search committees, the History Department began to add women and minority men to the department – and as a result, the History Department is nearly half female and has a large minority presence. In addition to her efforts in the History Department, Professor Warnicke has also devoted much of her time to affirmative action and faculty rights.
Professor Warnicke is an expert on politics and protocol at the Tudor Court, Gender Issues in the Early Modern Period (1400 - c. 1700) and Jacobean Funerary Rites for Women. She authored numerous articles, including Inventing the Wicked Women of Tudor England: Alice More, Anne Boleyn and Anne Stanhope and Sexual Heresy at the Court of Henry VIII. She is also the author of The Marrying of Anne of Cleves: Royal Protocol in Tudor England, which was published in 2000 by Cambridge. Her most recent book, Mary, Queen of Scots, which was published by Routledge in 2006, has received positive scholarly reviews.
She is most famous for her controversial theories over the life of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. These theories were outlined in various articles in the mid-1980s; Anne Boleyn's Childhood and Adolescence and Sexual Heresy at the Court of Henry VIII. The theories were built on and elaborated in her 1989 book The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn: Family politics at the court of Henry VIII.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 13, 2014
Each wife of Henry VIII left behind quite a legacy, to say the least. Divorced, beheaded, died… not necessarily a great one, but a legacy nonetheless! It can be agreed that Anne of Cleves was probably the luckiest of all the wives. Yet, there are many misunderstandings surrounding Anne, her marriage with Henry, and of Tudor marriages, in general. Retha M. Warnicke studies this compelling topic in, “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves: Royal Protocol in Tudor England”.
“The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” has a double-fold thesis aiming to discuss (1) the marriages of Henry in terms of protocol and (2) the marriage of Anne of Cleves and Henry, specifically. Warnicke’s work has a somewhat slow and inauspicious beginning, covering the general state of marriages and the rituals involved. This is a bit of a disappointment if seeking an instant focus on Anne of Cleves. Warnicke has the habit of venturing on tangents and spending pages on topics which feel unrelated and can be skimmed.
On a related note, “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is very scholarly and academic (one could argue that the text is even slightly dry) with an overload of information. Thus, “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” may be a bit overwhelming for new readers with too many names, dates, and events noted. However, this is great for those readers seeking a more in-depth viewpoint and a heavy-history slant. Even as a well-versed Tudor history reader, I still gained some new knowledge. At the same time, there are some noticeable factual errors and inaccuracies which do not concur with other authors and are not explained thoroughly.
Annoyingly, Warnicke addresses the reader in every chapter (and often several times in a chapter), announcing what will be “discussed next” or “…in the upcoming chapter…” This breaks attention and also makes the piece feel like it is Warnicke’s notes versus the final product.
On the other hand, there are some very positive moments in “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” where Warnicke explores common Anne topics (her appearance, lack of musical talent, inability to speak English, etc); and with detective-like stealth debunks myths and presents proper backing arguments. These will cause Tudor fans to re-think the marriage with Anne and even reconsider some of Henry’s actions; therefore providing a solid, well-rounded view.
The highlight of “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” are the chapters studying the marriage, Cromwell’s fall, and the divorce; as they contain many “ah-ha!” moments. However, this text is often filled with Warnicke quoting contemporary historians’ secondary material instead of primary documents resulting in a college research paper-feel.
The final chapter of “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” focuses on Cromwell instead of Anne making for a weak ending. However, the conclusion summarizes the entire marriage and is thus a good reminder of the entire text. “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is also supplemented by two sections of (black-and-white) color plates plus a notes section (although this isn’t detailed and is more of a source list).
It should be mentioned that some of Warnicke’s conclusions are odd and biased but stated with vindication: take these with a grain of salt.
“The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is a bit distracted, inconsistent, and somewhat overwhelming but terrific in its subject and information presentation. Although not recommended for those new to the topic (due to information overload); the book is a tasty morsel for academic lovers of Tudor England and Henry VIII’s wives. I would read another work from the author based on “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves”.
“The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” has a double-fold thesis aiming to discuss (1) the marriages of Henry in terms of protocol and (2) the marriage of Anne of Cleves and Henry, specifically. Warnicke’s work has a somewhat slow and inauspicious beginning, covering the general state of marriages and the rituals involved. This is a bit of a disappointment if seeking an instant focus on Anne of Cleves. Warnicke has the habit of venturing on tangents and spending pages on topics which feel unrelated and can be skimmed.
On a related note, “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is very scholarly and academic (one could argue that the text is even slightly dry) with an overload of information. Thus, “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” may be a bit overwhelming for new readers with too many names, dates, and events noted. However, this is great for those readers seeking a more in-depth viewpoint and a heavy-history slant. Even as a well-versed Tudor history reader, I still gained some new knowledge. At the same time, there are some noticeable factual errors and inaccuracies which do not concur with other authors and are not explained thoroughly.
Annoyingly, Warnicke addresses the reader in every chapter (and often several times in a chapter), announcing what will be “discussed next” or “…in the upcoming chapter…” This breaks attention and also makes the piece feel like it is Warnicke’s notes versus the final product.
On the other hand, there are some very positive moments in “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” where Warnicke explores common Anne topics (her appearance, lack of musical talent, inability to speak English, etc); and with detective-like stealth debunks myths and presents proper backing arguments. These will cause Tudor fans to re-think the marriage with Anne and even reconsider some of Henry’s actions; therefore providing a solid, well-rounded view.
The highlight of “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” are the chapters studying the marriage, Cromwell’s fall, and the divorce; as they contain many “ah-ha!” moments. However, this text is often filled with Warnicke quoting contemporary historians’ secondary material instead of primary documents resulting in a college research paper-feel.
The final chapter of “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” focuses on Cromwell instead of Anne making for a weak ending. However, the conclusion summarizes the entire marriage and is thus a good reminder of the entire text. “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is also supplemented by two sections of (black-and-white) color plates plus a notes section (although this isn’t detailed and is more of a source list).
It should be mentioned that some of Warnicke’s conclusions are odd and biased but stated with vindication: take these with a grain of salt.
“The Marrying of Anne of Cleves” is a bit distracted, inconsistent, and somewhat overwhelming but terrific in its subject and information presentation. Although not recommended for those new to the topic (due to information overload); the book is a tasty morsel for academic lovers of Tudor England and Henry VIII’s wives. I would read another work from the author based on “The Marrying of Anne of Cleves”.
May 19, 2011
Warnicke really did her research. She does an especially good job of evaluating behavior according to the standards of the time. She looks past the modern interpretations. For example, Warnicke studied Anne's letters to her family after the anullment, which show Anne was not the happy camper that we assume she was after her lucky escape. In her time, a rejected aristocratic wife is disgraced. Anne stayed in England because Henry required it, not because she wanted to be out from under her brother's thumb. And that impulsive race through the night because Henry couldn't wait for a first sight of his new bride? Never happened. Warnicke gives many examples showing that royal protocol allowed royal bridegrooms to visit their unknown brides anonymously. Henry was unusual in that he waited so long before he went out to greet her -- his size making it difficult for him to travel far. The first impression Anne made on Henry was that, when he (anonymously) fondled and kissed her, she didn't know it was him, and was more interested in watching a bearbaiting out the window.
Warnicke adds tidbits such as: 1) at that time part of the accepted proof that a bride was a virgin was a girlish, immature figure. 2) People giving depositions for trial were actually testifying to their opinions; and to flesh out their opinions, they were allowed to make up incidents demonstrating what they believed. Warnicke describes testimony accepted in trials which was actually impossible, because the people described at a particular place and time were somewhere else at that place and time. One person described himself participating in a conversation that was actually held by another person who couldn't be there in time for the trial.
THE MARRYING OF ANNE OF CLEVES isn't just a book about a court marriage, it's a demonstration of how foreign a culture can be, even when we think we know it.
Warnicke adds tidbits such as: 1) at that time part of the accepted proof that a bride was a virgin was a girlish, immature figure. 2) People giving depositions for trial were actually testifying to their opinions; and to flesh out their opinions, they were allowed to make up incidents demonstrating what they believed. Warnicke describes testimony accepted in trials which was actually impossible, because the people described at a particular place and time were somewhere else at that place and time. One person described himself participating in a conversation that was actually held by another person who couldn't be there in time for the trial.
THE MARRYING OF ANNE OF CLEVES isn't just a book about a court marriage, it's a demonstration of how foreign a culture can be, even when we think we know it.
June 9, 2016
First rate. Warnicke has succeeded in summoning a very credible Anne of Cleves by relegating her in many ways to the sidelines of the book. She has amassed a truly impressive amount of research into royal marriage customs common to late medieval/early modern Europe (some of the chivalric practices were still being employed by monarchs into the early 1600s), and she uses them to create a world in which 1) the traditional "romantic" interpretation of Anne's life can't stand. She had very clear expectations of what awaited her in England, and far from feeling grateful to escape from Henry, she was unhappy at remaining his virtual prisoner after their annulment. "Sister", my foot. So much for my default Anne of Cleves, Elvi Hale in The Six Wives of Henry VIII BBC series. Oh, well. 2) the idea that Henry was so repulsed by her physically that the marriage was immediately doomed. As Warnicke points out, there wasn't a whole lot of Anne that he could actually see before the wedding night. There is a fascinating discussion as to the physical evidence a man expected from his "virgin" wife --- a trim, taut body. More importantly, there is also a detailed discussion as to how impotence was judged in the 16th century. Let's just say it was considered particular, as in it was Anne's fault for not arousing Henry. Which sounds terrible, but is at least better than the other common cause. Witchcraft. As in, witches summoning demons to prevent the King from performing.
This is the success of the book. Thanks to television and the truly awful work of people like Philippa Gregory, we think we understand the people of this period. They must share our emotions, our world view. And the fact is, they did not. The Renaissance is still a lot closer to superstition than science. Anne looked at herself in ways that we might find hard to comprehend, although after reading the book it is difficult to think that many writers have made much of an effort. For example, there was this nugget: Anne would have defined herself as a "Catholic" before she left Cleves to marry Henry. The idea that her arrival was going to bring England closer to radical Protestantism is a fantasy.
So if you read The Marrying of Anne of Cleves, bear in mind that this isn't David Starkey history. Warnicke has immersed herself in the period, and while it can be daunting to follow her into the weeds of a truly technical discussion of what pre-contract meant, it is well worth the effort. And Anne will be there, perhaps just on the edge of whatever you are reading; at the end of the book, I had the feeling that I understood her.
Which is precisely what I was saying others have not done. Well, drat. In any event, this is a very good read for serious Tudor historians/interested observers.
This is the success of the book. Thanks to television and the truly awful work of people like Philippa Gregory, we think we understand the people of this period. They must share our emotions, our world view. And the fact is, they did not. The Renaissance is still a lot closer to superstition than science. Anne looked at herself in ways that we might find hard to comprehend, although after reading the book it is difficult to think that many writers have made much of an effort. For example, there was this nugget: Anne would have defined herself as a "Catholic" before she left Cleves to marry Henry. The idea that her arrival was going to bring England closer to radical Protestantism is a fantasy.
So if you read The Marrying of Anne of Cleves, bear in mind that this isn't David Starkey history. Warnicke has immersed herself in the period, and while it can be daunting to follow her into the weeds of a truly technical discussion of what pre-contract meant, it is well worth the effort. And Anne will be there, perhaps just on the edge of whatever you are reading; at the end of the book, I had the feeling that I understood her.
Which is precisely what I was saying others have not done. Well, drat. In any event, this is a very good read for serious Tudor historians/interested observers.
May 8, 2021
Admirable level of research but the salient details of the courtship, marriage and separation are somewhat lost within an ocean of ancillary info.
August 18, 2022
This is a brilliant book, suitable for the advanced amateur historian. It is 'popular' history, but a little 'dry' - definitely not for lovers of historical novels! I enjoyed it a lot: it's wonderfully researched and clearly written, with very full references.
September 18, 2016
Very insterestig, but somewhat slow read, this book delves into great detail on the process and people involved in Hennry VIII wooing, wedding, and annulling Anna von Kleves. This is a much more scholarly study that the typical biography, going into great detail on the background of Tudor marriage practices and protocols.
The reader needs to be warned that Ms. Warnicke consistently misuses the word "divorce." Divorce as we know it today did NOT exist in Europe in the sixteenth century. One could under certain circumstances obtain a legal separation, in which case the couple was still married but living apart, and the husband was still responsible for supporting his wife. The other option was to obtain an annulment, a statement from the church that there was never a valid marriage, and therefore the marriage never existed. The parties were then free to contract a marriage the church would recognize. Today in the Roman Catholic tradition, a couple may obtain a civil divorce, but the parties are not free to marry in the Church. If they wish to contract a Church recognized marriage, they must obtain a Church statement that no valid marriage had ever taken place. An annulment. An annulment says no marriage ever existed. A divorce recognizes the marriage and dissolves it.
The reader needs to be warned that Ms. Warnicke consistently misuses the word "divorce." Divorce as we know it today did NOT exist in Europe in the sixteenth century. One could under certain circumstances obtain a legal separation, in which case the couple was still married but living apart, and the husband was still responsible for supporting his wife. The other option was to obtain an annulment, a statement from the church that there was never a valid marriage, and therefore the marriage never existed. The parties were then free to contract a marriage the church would recognize. Today in the Roman Catholic tradition, a couple may obtain a civil divorce, but the parties are not free to marry in the Church. If they wish to contract a Church recognized marriage, they must obtain a Church statement that no valid marriage had ever taken place. An annulment. An annulment says no marriage ever existed. A divorce recognizes the marriage and dissolves it.
January 19, 2014
So, first a whole chapter on the women that Henry VIII didn’t marry when he was getting ready to sail forth down the aisle a fourth time, and then we finally get to Anna of Cleves.
Warnike has a bad habit of randomly stating ‘this chapter I’ll be discussing this’, ‘later in this chapter I’ll discuss that’, ‘in chapter 8 I’ll discus that’, etc.
Every Single Chapter.
It makes the text look like the rough draft of a graduate thesis – as if she still has some bullet points from her outline still in the text, to be excised at the next revision. To have in the final copy makes the whole endeavor look like the work of an amateur.
However, the biggest flaw is, while she’s got all facts correct, and it is great to see who was where and when, she doesn’t seem to grasp the idea of motivation. She keeps going on about International Politics and Church Law and complete ignores basic human desires.
Also – people lie.
Politicians lie. Diplomats lie. Leaders lie. And oh my God do people stuck in an unequal power balance lie their heads off to try and please the people in power over them.
October 8, 2024
Warnicke does a lot of things well. She, for example, proves adept at delving into the 16th century psyche to explain the actions of the various players involved in Anne of Cleves's ill-fated marriage. Her historical analysis is sound - she does a good job of showing both why Henry VIII chose to marry Anne and why he chose to divorce her, as well as why Thomas Cromwell wound up taking the brunt of the monarch's anger. Her description of Anne's life as the 'King's sister' was particularly interesting to me. It definitely confronted the ideas I had previously held about how Anne faired post-divorce. I will say though that I think Warnicke's writing is probably excessively detailed, almost bordering on rambling in places. It's definitely not a book you can read in particularly long spurts. The detail, however, does prove fascinating for those who are interested in life in 16th century Europe.
August 10, 2009
I adored Warnicke's The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn and I suppose I expected something more along that line.
This books seems more to focus on marrying practices and customs and less on Anne of Cleves-a character I am rather fond of.
This books seems more to focus on marrying practices and customs and less on Anne of Cleves-a character I am rather fond of.
March 5, 2013
This is a must-read for anyone interested in the ins and outs of royal marriage in the sixteenth century. I'm using it as background research for my next Tudor novel: http://sarahkennedybooks.wordpress.com
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews