ABSTRACT
It is doubtful whether the married life of any monarch in the world's history has aroused such interest and attained such notoriety as that of Henry VIII. In popular estimation the relations of King Henry to his wives probably outweigh in fascination all other features of a lengthy and momentous reign; while even to the professed historian the study of Henry's six marriages-closely connected as they are with events of great significance occurring at a particularly critical period in the cultural and political development of Europe—must also be of very considerable importance. No apology is needed therefore for attempting a further treatment of this theme—even in brief and summary fashion—if by so doing we can throw a few fresh rays of light upon the factors which were at work in producing the events recorded in this page of history.
