The Tudor Stepmothers

HENRY VIII HAD BEEN MARRIED 6 TIMES DURING HIS 38 YEARS REIGN MAKING THE FIVE OF HIS WIVES STEPMOTHERS TO HIS CHILDREN.

THOSE QUEENS-STEPMOTHERS WERE:

1) QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN( STEPMOTHER TO PRINCESS MARY TUDOR,DAUGHTER OF QUEEN KATHARINE OF ARAGON)

2) QUEEN JANE SEYMOUR(STEPMOTHER TO PRINCESS MARY TUDOR,DAUGHTER OF QUEEN KATHARINE OF ARAGON AND PRINCESS ELIZABETH TUDOR DAUGHTER OF QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN)

3) QUEEN ANNE OF CLEVES(STEPMOTHER TO PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH TUDOR AND TO PRINCE EDWARD TUDOR,SON OF QUEEN JANE SEYMOUR)

4) QUEEN KATHRYN HOWARD(STEPMOTHER TO PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH TUDOR AND PRINCE EDWARD TUDOR)

5)QUEEN CATHERINE PARR(STEPMOTHER TO PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH TUDOR AND TO PRINCE EDWARD TUDOR)

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1) QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN AND PRINCESS MARY TUDOR:

When Anne Boleyn became Queen of England, she made clear that she did not want to hear anything that it has to do with Mary Tudor or her mother, by opposing to her return at the court. When Mary clearly stated that she would not accept any other woman as queen but her mother and started fighting hard for her rights as an heir, Anne became extremely furious and demanded that she should not live at a princess's household with so many servants anymore.So Mary was moved away from Ludlow castle.Of course Anne was not yet satisfied.As a result, when the Princess Elizabeth was born, she insisted that Mary would attend her daughter's household as a maid servant.A few months later she tried for reconciliation, giving Mary the opportunity to return back to court and to her father's good graces.But Mary strongly denied her one more time acknowledging her as only the King's mistress and refusing to recognise Elizabeth as true and legitimate heir.Anne soon became frightened that Mary would be the cause of her death and started plotting her death by poisoning in order to get rid of her influence and danger. Anne's own downfall was inevitable as she soon disappointed Henry and she was sentenced to death.Before her execution she asked for Mary's forgiveness.

2)QUEEN JANE SEYMOUR AND PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH TUDOR:

Jane Seymour had always been a true catholic with great devotion and respect for Queen Katharine of Aragon.That was making her a strong supporter of Mary Tudor.Jane was a kind and generous woman who wanted to bring peace and quiet to the kingdom.So she was desirous to reconcile Henry with both his estranged daughters.When she became queen she understood the great importance of a catholic ruler who would bring England back to the true faith after Henry's death.So she started persuading Henry to forgive his daughter Mary and welcome her back to court.Henry, demanded Mary's submission to him.When Mary signed it the King and Jane visited her in her household and a few months later they welcomed her back to court.Jane was very generous and friendly towards Mary and together they were enjoying riding and other activities.Jane was also interfered so that Mary live to great palaces in London.When Jane's only son was born she stated that Mary would be his godmother and after her death she left Mary her clothes and jewels.

Elizabeth had been declared a bastard by that time and was living far away from court so that Henry could not see her.Her household was in confusion and permanent turmoil as the young girl was outgrowing her clothes and had no money for new.Jane showed some kindness and gave money so that Elizabeth could have new clothes to wear.But she did not want to meddle more with Elizabeth's issues as it could be dangerous for her to befriend the traitor's reminder.However,when Edward was born she demanded that Elizabeth would certainly attend the christening carrying the baptismal cloth.

3)QUEEN ANNE OF CLEVES,PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH AND PRINCE EDWARD

In 1540 Henry wed Anne of Cleves to bring about an alliance with a German principality. Henry needed an ally when France and Spain signed the Treaty of Toledo in 1539 and became a threat to England. Henry had sent his court painter Holbein to Cleves to paint Anne and her sister. Henry was very taken with her portrait. She was chosen to be his next bride and was promptly sent to England. When Henry first saw her in person he was greatly disappointed. She was in her early thirties with a long nose and no social graces. Her German clothes were unfashionable, her education was lacking and the couple found they had nothing in common. Too late to back out of the marriage, they were married January 6th, 1540. Mary had been one of the ladies sent to welcome Anne on her arrival in England and they eventually became friends despite the difference between their religious beliefs.Anne welcomed Elizabeth to the court in some occasions and was very kind with her as well as with the prince Edward.Anne later agreed to Henry's request for a divorce and she was content to stay in England with gifts of land and property and live the life of a woman of leisure. She was generous to the new Queen, Catherine Howard, and continued to call on Mary. She held out some hope, after Catherine Howard's disgrace, that Henry might take her back but this did not happen. She lived her life quietly, attending Mary's coronation in 1553. When Anne died in 1557, Mary had her buried in Westminster Abbey.

4)QUEEN KATHRYN HOWARD,PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH:

Henry found soon a new replacement for Anne of Cleves in the face of the young and vivacious Kathryn Howard.

At the beginning of this marriage Mary did not get on with Catherine. The new Queen was about five years younger than her stepdaughter and Mary found it hard to offer her the reverence she had given her two previous stepmothers. Because of this Catherine had two of Mary's maids dismissed. After this bad beginning there seems to have been a truce between them. Mary sent Catherine a New Year's gift and Catherine also returned with presents. Mary also asked Kathryn's help of pleading for the countess of Salisbury's life and Kathryn sent warm clothes to the Lady in the Tower.The 9 years old Elizabeth became soon great friend ad companion with Kathryn who was also her aunt.Their relationship was a very good one and Kathryn was often visiting Elizabeth at her household.She also tried to bring her back to the King's favour while she was calling her Kinswoman.After Kathryn's execution,Elizabeth was so greatly affected that she swore she would never marry in her life.

3)QUEEN CATHERINE PARR,PRINCESSES MARY AND ELIZABETH AND PRINCE EDWARD TUDOR:

Mary delighted in her new stepmother. Catherine regarded her as a sister instead of a daughter being only four years older than Mary. Mary was now more frequently at court since the 1530's. She showered Mary with jewels and money and most importantly treating her as a royal princess. Catherine suggested to Mary that she undertake a translation of Erasmus' paraphrases of the New Testament. Mary enjoyed this work and had finally found a kindred spirit to express her hopes and fears with. Catherine understood Mary's depression at the unsettled state of affairs regarding any match for her. "While my father lives," said Mary, "I shall be only the Lady Mary, the most unhappy lady in Christendom." Catherine was concerned for Mary's health and sent her medications and other treatments. She even gave Mary pocket money because Mary had developed a taste for gambling and had taught Elizabeth to play dice. Catherine was interested in all of Henry's children and Elizabeth benefited from her new stepmother. Elizabeth also undertook to translating French devotional works that she gave as a Christmas present to Catherine. The new Queen wanted most to bring Edward back to Court to be able to see more of his father. As heir to the throne he needed to learn the working of the Court and also to be given small assignments such as welcoming an ambassador. Edward delighted her with his interest in books and she took an interest in his schooling.