Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves also known as "The Mare of Flanders" (see below) (September 22, 1515 ? July 16, 1557) was the queen consort of Henry VIII of England from January 6, 1540 to July 9, 1540.

In film

Elsa Lanchester appeared as Queen Anne in the 1933 film The Private Life of Henry VIII opposite Charles Laughton as Henry VIII. In this fanciful comedy of manners, Anne deliberately portrays herself as unattractive and naïve in order to persuade Henry to divorce her, thus enabling her to find love elsewhere.

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In 1970, actress Elvi Hale played the title role in the 90-minute BBC television drama Anne of Cleves opposite Keith Michell's Henry VIII and Molly Sudgen as Anne's German lady-in-waiting. In this, relatively accurate piece, Anne comes to England full of youthful naïveté and joyous hope, only to be horrified upon meeting her hideous future husband. She quickly befriends her young stepdaughter, Elizabeth I (true to history), and encourages Henry in his infatuation with the young Catherine Howard (played by Angela Pleasance).

Related Topics:
Elizabeth I - Catherine Howard

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Three years later, Keith Michell again played Henry in Henry VIII and His Six Wives opposite Jenny Bos as Anne of Cleves. Here, Anne was portrayed as legend has often (inaccurately) described her ? ugly and ungainly. In 2001, she was played by Catherine Siggins in Dr. David Starkey's documentary The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Two years later, she made the briefest of appearances in the 2-part television drama "Henry VIII" played by Pia Gerard. She did not even speak ? appearing only once in bed awaiting Henry and once, glowing with quiet joy, at the king's funeral seven years later.

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