479 years ago today, Anne of Cleves married Henry the VIII at the Palace of Placentia in a beautiful ceremony that neither party wanted.

Out of Henry the VIII’s 6 wives, it can be said without a doubt that Anne of Cleves was the most successful. Though only married for 7 months, she survived the English court, irregardless of not being English herself, and survived a King who had a particular proclivity for cutting off his wife’s, as well as friend’s, heads.

She married King Henry VIII at the same palace where he married his first wife Cathrine of Aragon, and where his famous daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, was born.

The marriage was basically a blind date for both parties, since Henry was hastened into marriage by his advisors and his precarious position with the Roman Emperor and the French king, while Anne of Cleve’s father never allowed her to be seen without a veil until the marriage contract was signed and sealed, and she wouldn’t even be presented to King Henry VIII until a few days before their marriage.

Though I highly doubt Anne of Cleves was as hideous as English histories recount, I do think she was just not up to par with the previous English brides Henry had grown a hunger for. For Anne of Cleves didn’t play cards or understand English attitudes, let alone even speak the language, where as Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour were both English born and even Catherine of Aragon lived in England 8 years before marrying Henry the VIII, never mind her being one of the most eligible bachelorettes in all of Europe.

Anne of Cleves didn’t have a hope in the world when gaining Henry’s affections, but as a result her world became her playground.

By agreeing to Henry’s divorce Anne was given Richmond Palace and Bletchingly Manor for life, as well as Hever castle later in life, which was the residence of the late  Queen Anne Boleyn and where Anne of Cleves would engage in a friendship with the previous queen’s daughter, Elizabeth I. It can probably be theorized that Elizabeth actually gained a strong sense of independence from these interactions.

In addition to properties, Anne of Cleves was granted the title of “The King’s Sister”, which basically meant she was superior to everyone besides the king’s wife and own children. She was also granted around 3,000 pounds yearly in Tudor times, which historians estimate would be worth 29 million by the time of her death in todays value.

So yes, Anne of Cleves had a pretty miserable life as a wife. She married one of the worst monarchs in Europe at the time, but luckily was divorced in a matter of months. Though divorce was particularly shameful for a woman during this time period, she had to be a little grateful when she watched the next queen (Catherine Howard) sentenced to death, and even the queen after that (Catherine Parr) questioned and barely escaping arrest by the king.

Though there’s no doubt that she suffered some negligence under the hands of her step-son (King Edward VI) and her step-daughter (Queen Mary I), she was one of the most independent woman in England during the time period, and definitely the only one of Henry’s wives to die relatively happy.

In todays time we would probably consider her the cool Aunt who had a divorce a few years back and now just gets to travel and host lavish parties.

So seriously, sorry Anne your ex-husband sucks, but thanks for laying the brick work for Queen Elizabeth I as an independent monarch and woman; and as for right now I’m just leaving this here until you guys say otherwise….