Online history course

The Six Wives of Henry VIII – Monarchy and Matrimony in Tudor England : MC05

With historian Gareth Russell

7-lesson course 3 hours 15 minutes Audio / Text

About this course

Discover the real stories of Henry VIII's six wives, the politics behind their marriages and the myths that shaped their reputations.

Six wives, three queens, two executions and one of the most notorious monarchs in English history. But behind the familiar rhyme of “divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived” lie six remarkable women whose lives were far more complex than their famous fates suggest.

Join historian Gareth Russell as he explores the marriages of Henry VIII, uncovering the personalities, ambitions, political pressures and religious upheavals that shaped the lives of his six queens.

From Catherine of Aragon's determination and Anne Boleyn's dramatic rise and fall to the very different experiences of Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr, discover the women behind the legends and how their marriages helped transform Tudor England.

7 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Lesson 1 - Queens Regent: Katherine of Aragon and the Problem of Foreign Alliances

    Explore Katherine of Aragon's marriage to Henry VIII and the political challenges posed by foreign alliances and royal diplomacy.

  2. 02

    Lesson 2 - The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn: Politics and Personalities at the Heart of Tudor Government

    Examine the politics and personalities at the heart of Tudor government that shaped Anne Boleyn's extraordinary rise and dramatic downfall.

  3. 03

    Lesson 3 - Sweet Lady: Jane Seymour and the Quest for the Perfect Tudor Queen

    Discover Jane Seymour's role as Henry VIII's third wife and the Tudor court's expectations of the ideal queen.

  4. 04

    Lesson 4 - On Foreign Shores: Anne of Cleves and the Experience of Royal Arranged Marriages

    Explore Anne of Cleves's marriage to Henry VIII and the wider experiences and political implications of royal arranged marriages.

  5. 05

    Lesson 5 - The Queen in the North: Catherine Howard and the Queen as a Symbol of Tudor Monarchy

    Examine Catherine Howard's queenship and the role of the queen as a symbol of Tudor monarchy.

  6. 06

    Lesson 6 - The Crises of 1546: Katherine Parr and the Attack on the Queen's Household

    Investigate the religious and political tensions of 1546 and the threats directed against Katherine Parr's household.

  7. 07

    Lesson 7 - The Ghosts of Queens: The Importance and Fascination of Henry VIII's Marriages

    Discover how Henry VIII's six wives became enduring historical and cultural icons, from Shakespeare to modern television.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 195minutes of course material (3 hours 15 minutes)
  • 7lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate

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Enrol in this course

Course price$30 USD

Approximately £22.30 GBP / €26.70 EUR / A$42.70 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Gareth Russell

Meet your historian

Gareth Russell

Gareth Russell is a historian, bestselling author and broadcaster specialising in British and European royal history, with a particular interest in the Tudor monarchy and the lives of those who inhabited royal courts.

Educated at St Peter's College, Oxford, and Queen's University Belfast, Gareth has written extensively about monarchy, politics and society, bringing historical figures and their worlds to life through meticulous research and engaging storytelling.

His books include Young and Damned and Fair: The Life and Tragedy of Catherine Howard at the Court of Henry VIII, The Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era, Do Let's Have Another Drink, and The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of History at Hampton Court.

His more recent work includes Queen James: The Lives and Loves of Britain's First King (2025), published in North America as The Six Loves of James I, which explores the personal relationships and political world of James VI and I.

Gareth is also a novelist and playwright, and hosts the history podcast *Single Malt History with Gareth Russell*.

For MedievalCourses, Gareth presents The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Monarchy and Matrimony in Tudor England, examining the lives of Henry VIII's queens, the political and religious forces that shaped their experiences, and the myths that continue to surround them.

View historian profile

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 3 hours and 15 minutes of audio lectures, with individual lectures approximately 20–35 minutes long. You can stream or download them and listen at your own pace, with lifetime access.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The audio lectures and downloadable transcripts provide everything you need. A further reading list is included if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.