Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded and survived.

All school children learn this rhyme to remember what happened to one of or most famous kings, Henry VIII and his six wives.


Henry had many mistresses, at least ten and at least four of five illegitimate children.

He also had many more children that did not survive infancy, a not uncommon occurrence in Tudor times. He had at least 10 by his first three wives alone.

If one had been male and legitimate and survived how different our history would have been a Henry IXth perhaps.

What hardly anyone knows is that he actually married one of his mistresses in 1538 so in fact the school yard rhyme should read ; divorced, beheaded, died, murdered, divorced, beheaded and survived.

Read all about his fourth wife, a Lady Mary Shelton - http://goo.gl/XH4p9