(1515-1558) The fourth wife of Henry VIII. After the death of Jane Seymour, a new wife was sought for Henry, but his reputation preceded him; his main choices rejected him, making Anne of Cleves the front runner. The daughter of a German Duke, Anne was 24 when she married Henry in early 1540 but, unknown to her until later, Henry was repulsed by her. Described as pretty by everyone else, Henry (who was nearly fifty, obese, and had leg ulcers by then) said of his first sight of her "I like her not". Their introduction was a disaster, owing to mutual misunderstanding, beginning the marriage on a tenuous note.
After six months of marriage, Henry had the marriage annulled and offered to Anne property and estates in exchange that she remain in England. Initially devastated, Anne accepted and lived her days in wealth, answering to no man but to Henry, now as his "dear sister".
After six months of marriage, Henry had the marriage annulled and offered to Anne property and estates in exchange that she remain in England. Initially devastated, Anne accepted and lived her days in wealth, answering to no man but to Henry, now as his "dear sister".
Anne of Cleves was olive-skinned, unlike the pallid Jane Seymour, and lacked the sophistication of Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Her unfamiliar German manners, exotic clothes, and German speech did not help matters. Henry, put off by her body, whined incessantly about how "ugly" that she was, suspecting that she wasn't a virgin, disregarding her sheltered upbringing and overprotective mother; at 24, Anne believed that a kiss from a man would make her pregnant.
Anne of Cleves, humiliated and hurt by the king, outlived Henry and his other wives, enjoyed the love of her stepchildren and her people, and died a contented woman.
Anne of Cleves, humiliated and hurt by the king, outlived Henry and his other wives, enjoyed the love of her stepchildren and her people, and died a contented woman.
by Lorelili January 4, 2011
Ich Bin Anna of Cleves. When King Henry VIII saw her portrait, he was like yasss. But she didn’t look as good as she did in her pic. Funny how we all discuss that but never Henry’s little prick…
by six the musical March 15, 2022
The "Anne of Cleves" Effect refers to when someone doesn't look as good as they do on a picture.
It was first observed when Henry VIII wanted to marry Anne of Cleves after only seeing a painting of her
It was first observed when Henry VIII wanted to marry Anne of Cleves after only seeing a painting of her
#1: How was the date?
#2: Oof. She looked nothing like her bio picture
#1: "Anne of Cleves" Effect?
#2: What?
#2: Oof. She looked nothing like her bio picture
#1: "Anne of Cleves" Effect?
#2: What?
by dave_the_wave June 9, 2019
A nose that looks long and thin from the front but bumpy and huge from the side. Comes from Henry VIII's reaction when he saw his future wife Anne of Cleves' large proboscus in flesh for the first time, after having seen a "portrait" of her where she had a very cute one. He ended up hating it so much he created his own church so he could divorce her. They stayed friends, but to this day an Anne of Cleves nose will cause it's owner to lean towards plastic surgery.
by keeneyecoolhead December 26, 2006
A nose that looks long and thin from the front but bumpy and huge from the side. Comes from Henry VIII's reaction when he saw his future wife Anne of Cleves' large proboscus in flesh for the first time, after having seen a "portrait" of her where she had a very cute one. He ended up hating it so much he created his own church so he could divorce her. They stayed friends, but to this day an Anne of Cleves nose will cause it's owner to lean towards plastic surgery.
OhmyGod I have the worst Anne of Cleves nose, so that cute lifeguard can only see me from the front, ok?
by keeneyecoolhead January 1, 2007
The "Anne of Cleves"-Effect describes a situation in which a girl or guy does not look as good in real life as they do on a picture/ look much better on a picture than in real life. It gets it's name after Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves and tried to get into her knockers after seeing a painting of her by an artist who seemed to have 4/20 vision and a massive bag of gold coins in return for drawing her like one of those french girls.
#1: So? How was the tinder date?
#2: Ugh. She looked nothing like she did in the profile pic.
#1: "Anne of Cleves"-Effect?
#2: Anne of Cleves Effect.
#2: Ugh. She looked nothing like she did in the profile pic.
#1: "Anne of Cleves"-Effect?
#2: Anne of Cleves Effect.
by dave_the_wave June 2, 2019