1540 in History

Cromwell recommends an alliance with German Protestants against the Holy Roman Empire

Cromwell recommends an alliance with German Protestants against the Holy Roman Empire

Henry VIII has Cromwell arrested for his part played in the marriage to Anne of Cleves

Henry VIII has Cromwell arrested for his part played in the marriage to Anne of Cleves

Parliament passes a bill of attainder against Thomas Cromwell after his fall from power.

Henry VIIIs 7th Parliament closes

Thomas Cromwell is executed after losing Henry VIII's confidence following the Anne of Cleves marriage.

Appointed Great Chamberlain

Created Knight of the Garter

Appointed Lord Great Chamberlain

Meets Henry VIII for the first time

Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves are married at the royal Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, London by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

Marries Henry VIII, his 4th wife. Henry calls her "the Flanders mare" & the marriage is never consumated. Arranged by Cromwell to seek an alliance with a foreign royal house

Anulled because of Annes contract to the son of the Duke of Lorraine

Receives a generous settlement, including Hever Castle, home of Henrys former in-laws, the Boleyns

Henry VIII annuls the marriage because it was without his consent

Anne was commanded to leave the court of Henry VIII

Claims that her marriage to Henry VIII had been consumated. Annes betrothal to Lorraine & the non-consumation of the marriage are investigated. A formal trial into the marriage between Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves begins

Henry VIII asks for Anne of Cleves formal consent for the trial of their marriage

The Church marriage tribunal finds Henry VIIIs marriage to Anne of Cleves is invalid. Sends a message to Henry VIII saying that only God can part them

Court decrees that Anne is not Queen & will be known as the sister of the King

The marriage between Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves is anulled on the grounds that it had never been consummated, Henry claimed that he had found his bride so unattractive that he could not bear to sleep with her

Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves are married at the royal Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, London by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

Meets Anne of Cleves for the 1st time. Feels he has been tricked by Cromwell into marrying Anne of Cleves

Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves, fourth wife of Henry VIII of England from 6 January 1540 to 9 July 1540

Marries Anne of Cleves, the daughter of the Duke of Cleves. Cromwell recommends an alliance with German Protestants against the Holy Roman Empire

Anne of Cleves is ordered to leave court

Anne's betrothal to Lorraine & the non-consummation of the marriage are investigated. A formal trial into the marriage between Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves begins

Henry VIII seeks Anne of Cleves's formal consent for an inquiry into the validity of their marriage.

The Church marriage tribunal finds Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves invalid

Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves is annulled after six moninth of marriage. Court decrees that Anne is not Queen & will be known as the sister of the King

The marriage between Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves is annulled on the grounds that it had never been consummated, Henry claimed that he had found his bride so unattractive that he could not bear to sleep with her

Marries Catherine Howard, 5th wife

Marries Henry VIII, Henry VIIIs 5th wife

Created Earl of Essex

The English Bible is ordered in every parish church

The Statute of Wills is passed

Founds the Jesuit Order on Feast day

Accused of treason in the House of Lords

Accused of treason in the House of Lords

Mary gives birth to James Duke of Rothesay son of James V