Antonia Fraser makes a tremendous effort to thwart stereotypes fostered about Henry VIII's six wives. History has long went with the narrative that these women were one thing or another, cheaters, manipulators, unable to produce children, etc. The author has researched these women well, and includes an extensive bibliography. I learned a lot about these women, and this book as made me see another side to them and not just whatever the historical narrative I was previously set with says about them. I thoroughly enjoyed this work.

Catherine of Aragon aka The Betrayed Wife: Catherine of Aragon was one thousand percent a betrayed woman. She was betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales when she was three years old. She married him in 1501, but he died five months later. She maintained that the marriage was never consummated, and received a papal dispensation to marry Henry. Henry and Catherine were married in a private ceremony in 1509. She was well liked by the people, known for generosity and kindness. She was also quite brave, once riding to address the troops while super pregnant. She was also very religious. Of course, he main role was to provide a male heir for Henry. She had a stillborn daughter, a son who died suddenly fairly soon after birth, two more sons that were either stillborn or died within hours of being born, a surviving daughter, Mary I, and one more stillborn daughter. Henry had affairs during this time, producing an illegitimate male heir with his mistress. He tried every way in the world to get rid of Catherine, before finally breaking with the Catholic Church and finally getting his way. Catherine had her daughter taken from her, was sent to live on a pittance with a diminished household, still trying to get him to take her back and see that they were still legally married. He refused to see or speak to her. She died alone and unloved, thrown out like yesterday's newspaper. The stereotype of her being the betrayed wife is absolutely accurate.

Anne Boleyn aka The Temptress: Anne was educated in the ways of the French court before being recalled to England. She made her debut at English court during some festivities in which she performed alongside the sister of Henry VIII. She was very stylish and, by most accounts, beautiful. Anne was very skilled in the flirtations that were part of court life, which is probably partly how she got the designation as a temptress. Based on personal letters from Henry to Anne, it seemed as though she refused to give up the goods for six or seven years that they were flirting and messing around. Despite her being called a temptress, she was certainly keen. She knew that if she entered into a sexual relationship with him without gaining a title or Queenship, she would be less interesting, less exciting, and less tempting. She ultimately got what she wanted, which was influence, a title, and better standing for members of her family. Together, they had one surviving daughter, Elizabeth I, a miscarriage, and two stillborn sons. This fact, along with boredom and people who did not like her convincing Henry that she was a whore and also was sleeping with her brother caused her to meet her end with her head on a chopping block.

Jane Seymour aka The Good Woman: Jane was a maid to both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. She was considered to be quiet, kind, and very chaste. She was a skilled embroiderer. Perhaps she appealed to Henry for that reason, as he had had a tumultuous time going to war against the Church to get rid of Catherine and being with strong willed, sharp, Anne. The fact that she had a large family also made her attractive, because it was assumed she could have many children and Henry was still obsessively trying to get that male heir. She was very formal and stuffy, and court liveliness certainly dwindled with her at the helm. She was very conservative, banning the skimpier French fashions that Anne had worn and promoted. She also facilitated the reconciliation between Henry VIII and Mary I, whose relationship Henry had ruined with the treatment of her mother and taking her out of the line of succession. She gave birth to Edward VI, but died soon after childbirth. There are a few theories, such as infection or retained placenta, but her death was a direct result of childbirth. Henry was very distraught about her death. She died so young and had not really been a Queen long enough to decide how good she was. Perhaps she was considered to be a good woman because Henry did genuinely care about her, she gave him a son that he wanted more than anything, and her nature in general was not wild and carefree like his mistresses or Anne's.

Anne of Cleves aka Ugly One: Anne did not have the qualities that Henry was interested in. She was not well read, well educated, sophisticated, or fashionable. She only knew German, which made communication a challenge. Henry thought that she looked older than her age, and also that her looks were not as were previously described to him. He was kind to her, especially by his later reputation, and paid her a generous settlement and nice homes for her to live in. They also became good friends, and enjoyed each other's visits and company. Whether or not her portrait is an accurate representation of her actual looks, the fact is Henry was not attracted to her in that way and had his eyes set on someone else. This marriage provided no children and was annulled.

Catherine Howard aka The Bad One: Catherine Howard was brought to court by her noble family members in an attempt to catch Henry VIII's attention. She certainly did that. Henry thought she was beautiful. He was captivated by her lively personality. She didn't concern herself with political matters and wasn't really into charity works either. Catherine was romantically interested in Thomas Culpepper, whom she had once considered marrying while she was serving as a maid to Anne of Cleves. Henry was furious when their relationship was suggested to him, as well as the rumors that she was sexually active with several people before his marriage to her. He had her executed. They had no children. I'm not really sure that I would call her a bad girl. She was just a young girl who made stupid choices, especially when she entered into a relationship with Henry of all people.

Catherine Parr aka Mother Figure: Catherine had been married previously and was significantly older than Henry's other wives. She developed good relationships with Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward VI. She was fairly religious, but was considered anti-Protestant by a lot of people. Henry found her presence to be relaxing, calm, and reassuring. She outlived Henry, and took Elizabeth I into her household where her new husband got up to some inappropriate behavior toward her. It has also been suggested that Catherine joined in on the shenanagins. I can see why she was called the mother figure, due to her age and her ability to foster good relationships between Henry and others, but I think she really just knew how to play the game and set herself up for financial support and benefits.