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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Anne of Cleves
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(1515–57) Fourth wife of *Henry VIII, who married her in January 1540. She was the daughter of a German duke, and Henry was hoping for a German alliance against the Catholic powers of Europe. His distaste at first sight of her (calling her the *'Flanders mare') led to his not consummating the marriage; he was therefore able to have it annulled six months later, by which time changes in Europe had also made the alliance less necessary. Anne, whose fault was probably being dull rather than ugly, was given a good pension and lived in apparent contentment in England through the rest of Henry's reign, and then through that of Edward VI and all but one year of Mary's.
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