Anne of Cleves Supremacy |

Anne of Cleves was the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England, best known for the briefness of their marriage and the political maneuvering that surrounded it. Born in 1515 in Düsseldorf, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Anne was the daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and her marriage to Henry was arranged to form a political alliance between England and the Duchy of Cleves, which was aligned with Protestant interests in Europe. This union came about at a time when Henry was seeking to strengthen his ties with Protestant powers following his break from the Catholic Church.

However, the marriage between Henry and Anne was short-lived, lasting only six months in 1540. Henry claimed that he found Anne unattractive, famously saying she looked like a "Flanders mare," though this might have been influenced by political or personal factors rather than her actual appearance. After meeting her in person, Henry quickly lost interest, and their marriage was annulled on the grounds of non-consummation and her agreement to the annulment. Despite this, Anne fared better than most of Henry's other wives, receiving a generous settlement, including several estates, and remaining in England for the rest of her life. She and Henry maintained a friendly relationship, and she was known as "the King's Beloved Sister." Anne outlived Henry and his other wives, dying in 1557.