logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
44m 29s

The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Catherine o...

Wondery
About this episode

We mostly remember Henry VIII’s six wives because of their fate at the hands of history’s most notorious ex. But there’s so much more to them than divorce, death and beheadings. 


Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was a Spanish princess who grew up believing that being Queen of England was her destiny and God-given right. But getting–and staying–on the throne turns out to be a lot more complicated than she thought. When she isn’t able to have a healthy son and heir to the throne, Henry decides her time is up. But Catherine refuses to back down, even when someone new arrives and threatens her place on the throne. 

Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Aug 25
Table Manners and Tudor Scandals | 94
Just like us, royals are not immune to cringe-worthy moments. Caroline of Brunswick nearly flashed the crowd at her own wedding — while her groom got plastered across the church. Classy! To avoid pulling a royal faux pas, Brooke and Aricia are joined by Bonnie Tsai, founder of Be ... Show More
39m 8s
Aug 18
The OG Tupac: Burn It All Down | 93
In Part One, Tupac Amaru II realized his cushy lifestyle came at the price of exploiting his own people and vowed to make a change. But when his fight for Indigenous rights fails in the courtroom, he decides to light a match and ignite a full-blown rebellion. Now Tupac’s on a mis ... Show More
43m 55s
Aug 11
The OG Tupac Part 1: Rebel Without a Pause | 92
As an 18th century rich kid in Spanish-controlled Peru, Tupac Amaru II has it made. He’s descended from Incan royalty, the money and perks are flowing, and he’s set to inherit a powerful position working for the colonizers. But when he realizes that his privilege is built on the ... Show More
40m 32s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Even the Royals: The Six Wives of Henry VIII | Catherine of Aragon Part I | 235
We mostly remember Henry VIII’s six wives because of their fate at the hands of history’s most notorious ex. But there’s so much more to them than divorce, death and beheadings.  Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was a Spanish princess who grew up believing that being Quee ... Show More
45m 27s
Nov 2024
Catherine of Aragon | Secret Lives of the Six Wives
We know the fates of Henry VIII's wives, but what were these iconic women really like? In the first episode of this limited series, Secret Lives of the Six Wives, we'll explore the ways that Catherine of Aragon was a formidable queen and leader, and why, perhaps, she's been misun ... Show More
36m 17s
Dec 2024
Kateryn Parr | Secret Lives of the Six Wives
At the time, surely Kateryn Parr had her reservations about being Henry VIII's sixth wife? Aside from being a tyrannical maniac who'd just beheaded his last wife, Catherine Howard, he was getting old, angry and his ulcerous leg was getting smelly. However, Kateryn was smart - she ... Show More
37m 8s
Feb 2025
Catherine de’ Medici: the real Serpent Queen of France
Greg Jenner is joined in 16th-Century France by Dr Estelle Paranque and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi to learn all about controversial queen Catherine de’ Medici.Catherine’s life was dramatic from the moment she was born: orphaned when she was just a few weeks old, she was brought ... Show More
57m 40s
May 2024
La triste vie de la véritable reine Charlotte
Connaîtriez-vous la reine Charlotte sans La Chronique des Bridgerton ? Mais c’est du divertissement, pas de l’histoire ! La série donne à voir une version romancée du personnage, très éloignée de la réalité. Dans ce récit inédit, Virginie Girod vous présente la véritable histoire ... Show More
14m 27s
Feb 2025
Henri III, le dernier des Valois
Virginie Girod raconte le règne d'Henri III, dernier souverain issu de la dynastie des Valois. En 1574, à la mort de Charles IX, son frère cadet hérite de la couronne de France. Troisième fils de Catherine de Médicis montant sur le trône, Henri III (1551-1589) est sacré le 13 fév ... Show More
12m 53s
Apr 2025
Cardinal Wolsey
No advisor was more important to King Henry VIII than Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. He captured Henry's attention with his brilliance and became his most trusted confidant.  But when the King wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon, not even the eloquent Wolsey could convince the Pope to ... Show More
50m 19s
Aug 28
Tudor True Crime: Europe's Most Murderous Dynasty
The rich and powerful Guise family was one of the most treacherous and bloodthirsty in sixteenth-century France. They whipped up religious bigotry, overthrowing the king. They ruled Scotland for nearly 20 years through Mary Queen of Scots, plotting to invade England and overthrow ... Show More
39m 10s
Oct 2024
The Rise and Fall of Jane Boleyn
In 1542 Jane Boleyn was executed for having aided and abetted Henry VIII's fifth wife Catherine Howard to commit adultery. It was the second time Jane Boleyn had been connected with charges of treason as just six years earlier, she had allegedly asserted a charge of incest agains ... Show More
34m 50s