Anne of Cleves : The Historical and Cultural Legacy of a Queen

This study of Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII, offers readers a more nuanced retelling of her queenship, which has often been dismissed as unimportant due to its brevity.

This study of Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII, offers readers a more nuanced retelling of her queenship, which has often been dismissed as unimportant due to its brevity. Re-evaluating many of the misconceptions surrounding the queen, including her religion, the fateful year of her marriage, and her appearance, the book brings together historiography and the most recent research on Anne, not least her fascinating relationship to books and her foreign reputation. Schutte expertly weaves together her analysis of well-known archival sources, alongside that of letters, printed books, manuscripts, engravings, and other material objects to illuminate Anne’s rich cultural legacy. This book combines chronological chapters with thematic ones to offer the most comprehensive study of Anne available. It stands as a valuable resource for students, specialists, and all those interested in Tudor history, queenship, women’s history, and Henry VIII and his wives.