The Sixth Wife

The Sixth Wife is a novel by noted historical novelist Jean Plaidy it recounts the tale of Catherine Parr the six wife of Henry VIII, King of England. The novel covers the life of Catherine as Queen, and her fearful feeling of being replaced in the King's eyes. Though the novel conveys Catherine's life several other characters lives are forshadowed as well. Catherine's family play a key role including her sister Anne Parr Herbert, her step-daughter Elizabeth, Niece Jane Grey, doomed friend Anne Askew, rivals Thomas Wriothesley, Stephen Gardiner, Henry Howard, Anne Stanhope, Mary Howard the Dowager Duchess of Richmond and former romantic interest Thomas Seymour. The novel unfolds over a period of five years recounting Catherines rise as Queen Consort till her death as Dowager Queen.

Historical inaccuracies

Though the novel is a work of fiction it contains minor historical inaccuracies regarding the Six Wives of Henry VIII. It states that Anne Boleyn suffured four miscarriages during her marriage to the King yet there were three that were historicly confirmed. Also Henry while reflecting upon his wives recalls that he married Jane Seymour quickly because she was pregnant, and quickly lost the child shortly after the wedding, something of which is entirly fictional. Catherine Howard is also recalled to have lost a child. There is only small historical evidence to confirm that Catherine may have become pregnant during her short term as Queen, but she may have suffured a false pregnancy before retaining her menstrual cycle and not having a miscarriage as stated in the novel.