Tudor Tale of the Week

Pretty or Ugly?

Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, is often portrayed as a pretty young thing, while Anne of Cleves is described as the ‘mare’ - a ugly, stinky woman.  Interestingly, a miniature portrait by Hans Holbein that has long been supposed to be Catherine has been examined afresh by art historian Franny Moyle, and she believes that it is actually Anne.  Moyle’s reasoning is based on an interesting (and convincing) study on Holbein’s known use of symbols and conceits in his portraiture.  Also, some of the reasons why the portrait had been attributed to Catherine would actually apply to Anne as well.  So, how could the same portrait show a ‘pretty’ bride and an ‘ugly’ one?  Well, the answer may support some historians’ belief that Anne wasn’t actually ugly at all.  Henry just used her supposed ugliness to explain his…ahem…inability to consummate.