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| Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger |
Let's talk about Anna Van Kleef. Now the Royal Family is a subject in which I have very little interest. Yet, Anna here is another story. Obviously I'm singling her out because of the VanCleave name connection, but she was the 4th wife of the notorious Henry VIII.
So given my very little knowledge about Anna, I'll share what I know, some of it could be fictional, since it appears historical fiction is a trend now. Browse Amazon and you'll find a few such novels about Anna herself. If I got something wrong, please politely let me know.
Anna Van Kleef, also known as Anne of Cleves, was the 4th bride of Henry the 8th. Before courting her King Henry sent the artist Hans Holbein the Younger to Germany to paint modest portraits of Anna and her sister Amalia. Based off of the portraits, Henry intended to make a decision about with sister to marry. Supposedly, Hans had an affinity for Anna and that fondness influenced the portrait. Naturally when Henry saw a magnificent portrait of Anna he selected her to be his new bride.
Unfortunately, once Henry laid eyes on Anna he lost interest. Some say he secretly spied on her and she didn't curtsy when he approached her while disguised. Henry went through with the wedding. Clearly because of political pressure between the kingdoms and the conflicted Protestant and Catholic churches. After a short time later the marriage of Anna and Henry was annulled. King Henry famously remarried of course. In fact his next wife was Anna's lady in waiting. Anna was now considered the King's Beloved Sister and lived the life of a princess. Anna outlived the other five wives of King Henry VIII.
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