(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
Get the Anne of Cleves mug.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 14, 2022
Get the Anne of Cleves mug.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
Get the "Anne of Cleves" Effect mug.by AcidTsunami December 1, 2009
Get the Office Clever mug.The definition of a Sister of Clive... an older sibling who is ok, but not a lovely as the younger child.
by Joy's Brother December 23, 2020
Get the Sister of Clive mug."now, if you two don't mind, i'm going to bed, before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed - or worse, expelled." - hemione granger
"she needs to sort out her priorities." - ronald weasley
"she needs to sort out her priorities." - ronald weasley
by hermione p October 12, 2023
Get the now, if you two don't mind, i'm going to bed, before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed - or worse, expelled. mug.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 9, 2008
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