Henry VIII Six Wives, Two Executions, One Obsession

Henry VIII defied the Pope to marry Anne Boleyn. Three years later, he ordered her execution. How did the woman he pursued so fiercely become the queen he wanted gone? Six wives. Two executions. A desperate search for a male heir that helped transform England. In this illustrated Retold episode, follow Henry VIII from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon through Anne Boleyn’s rise and downfall, the birth of Edward, and a succession that escaped his control. Discover how the annulment of Henry’s first marriage in 1533 and the Act of Supremacy in 1534 helped reshape England’s relationship with Rome and why the witchcraft story surrounding Anne needs a closer look. The final chapter belongs to a daughter whose future Henry could never control. CHAPTERS 00:00 A son at any cost 00:25 Catherine of Aragon 01:25 Enter Anne Boleyn 02:26 Breaking with Rome 03:55 A queen under pressure 04:41 Witchcraft rumours and treason charges 05:32 Anne’s downfall 06:15 The long-awaited son 06:49 Henry’s final three wives 07:43 The succession unravels 08:40 The daughter who inherited the future Subscribe to Retold for illustrated stories of extraordinary lives and the marks they left on history. Historical research draws on Historic Royal Palaces, UK Parliament, The National Archives, and the Royal Household. Illustrations are artistic reconstructions. #HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory