David Starkey’s the Six Wives of Henry VIII

Alternative title

Six Wives of Henry VIII, The

Synopsis

Historian David Starkey tells the stories of the women who married Henry VIII, revealing in intimate detail their experiences of sex, childbirth and the glamorous, dangerous life at court, including the deadly intrigues that dethroned them.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2003

Year of production

2001

Notes

First broadcast in four parts on Channel 4 beginning 10/9/01

Subjects

History

Keywords

Henry VIII; history of the 16th century

Online availability

URI

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/six-wives-of-henry-viii/4od

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£19.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

195 minutes

Year

2003

Type

VHS

Price

£14.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

196 minutes

Year

2003

Sections

Title

Catherine of Aragon

Synopsis

The series begins with Catherine of Aragon, a remarkable woman whose refusal to accept a divorce in defiance of Henry VIII’s wishes changed the course of English history. The documentary explores Henry’s relationship with his first wife, who was first married to his older brother. It looks at how Catherine had seven preganacies in nine years, but only one child, Elizabeth, survived. Catherine’s inability to produce a male heir may have been one of the things that caused Henry to look to Anne Boleyn.

Duration

1 mins

Title

Anne Boleyn

Synopsis

This second programme in the series focuses on Anne Boleyn, who charmed Henry with her seductive French ways and gave him his second daughter. Anne was clever, witty, and had the good sense to refuse to become Henry’s mistress while he was still married to Catherine of Aragon. This refusal led to him finding a way to marry Anne, even if it meant defying the Pope. When Anne did not provide Henry with an heir, the King grew tired of her and decided to have her killed.

Duration

1 mins

Title

Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves

Synopsis

In this third programme, David Starkey looks at Jane Seymour, who died just twelve days after giving birth to the son Henry had always wanted, and Anne of Cleves, who the King found so unattractive that he was unable to consummate his marriage

Duration

1 mins

Title

Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr

Synopsis

In the final episode David Starkey focuses on Henry’s last two wives, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
Catherine Howard was much younger than Henry and was only a teenager when she married the middle-aged monarch. Catherine fell in love with another courtier, Thomas Culpepper and enjoyed an intimate friendship with him. Her enemies saw this as a good way to get rid of her and informed Henry, who has her executed. Henry finally decided to marry for companionship rather than lust, and he chose Catherine Parr. She established good relationships with her step-children and was a good companion for the king even nursing him in his final days.

Sponsor

Name

Channel Four Television

Phone

071-396 4444

Address

LONDON
SW1P 2TX

Distributor

Name

4OD

Web

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od External site opens in new window

Name

Channel 4 Video

Web

http://www.channel4.com External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7396 4444

Fax

020 7306 8350

Address

124 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2TX

 

Available from retail outlets