Henry VIII Annulled Unconsummated Marriage

At age 48, English King Henry VIII expressed disappointment after meeting 24-year-old German noblewoman Anne of Cleves, but their political alliance required him to marry her in 1540. After their wedding night, Henry claimed they had failed to consummate the marriage and complained that Anne was "nothing so fair as hath been reported." Six months later, Henry and his supporters testified that the union remained unconsummated and lacked his consent, while Anne received no invitation to testify. Officials annulled the marriage, and Anne accepted the decision in exchange for property, an annual income of 500 pounds, and the title "the King's Sister."

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