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
Jul 7
The She-Wolf of France Part 2: How to Topple Your Husband | 87
In Part One, Isabella learns that her husband, King Edward II, is more devoted to his male favorites than his queen – or his crown. But his latest obsession isn’t just scandalous, it’s disastrous for England. As tensions in England rise, Isabella decides she can’t stay silent any ... Show More
38m 40s
Jun 30
The She-Wolf of France Part 1: A Royal Throuple Gone Wrong | 86
Before she became known as “The She-Wolf of France,” Isabella was a princess sent to unite two warring kingdoms through marriage. But her husband, King Edward II of England, didn’t get the same memo. From day one, it’s clear he’s more interested in the cute men at court than his ... Show More
43m 31s
Jun 27
Even the Rich: Prince Harry Part 3 | The Royal We | 85
When Harry's military dreams are thwarted, falling for Meghan Markle helps soften the blow. But when the press discovers their secret romance, the love of his life comes under attack. Can Harry protect the life he's building and still hold on to the one that's falling apart?See P ... Show More
41m 15s
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
Dec 2024
Catherine Howard | Secret Lives of the Six Wives
Henry VIII called her his 'rose without a thorn', but the teenage Catherine Howard was to fall out of favour less than 18 months after becoming Queen of England. Out of all of Henry's wives it could be argued that the young queen, who was a cousin of Anne Boleyn, is most deservin ... Show More
37m 38s
Jan 2025
Marie Antoinette | A Princess and a Pawn | 1
Married off at the age of 14 in her mother’s very own Game of Thrones, Austrian-born Marie Antoinette finds herself in a foreign country, shackled to the teenage future King of France - who's more interested in lock-making than love. How are they to produce an heir? Then in 1774, ... Show More
43m 30s
Jul 2021
Lady Jane Grey: England's Nine Day Tudor Queen
Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Lady Jane Grey, the Tudor who ruled England for just nine days.----more---- Henry VIII was King of England. He was married to a Spanish Princess. They had a daughter called Mary. However, Henry really wanted to have a son. He ask ... Show More
9m 18s
Dec 2024
Anne of Cleves | Secret Lives of the Six Wives
Anne of Cleves gets a pretty raw deal in the history books. She's often accused of being ugly, after Henry VIII claimed the painting he had made of her was overly flattering. While their marriage was short-lived, is it time we give Anne of Cleves, who hailed from a small state in ... Show More
39m 38s
Dec 2024
Six Wives: Katherine of Aragon & Anne Boleyn
In the first of three special Christmas editions, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb offers another chance to hear the series from earlier this year in which she took an in-depth look into the six wives of Henry VIII, revealing the rich stories and incredible lives of these women who ch ... Show More
1h 28m
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
Jan 2021
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of England
Sophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of Eleanor of Aquitaine. But Eleanor has been Queen of France. Now she becomes Queen of England.----more---- This is the second in our series about Eleanor of Aquitaine. But you don't need to have listened to the last episode to enjoy this one. ... Show More
9m 33s