Henry VIII had six wives, and Anne was the second wife. Henry divorced Catherine of Argon, his first wife. He filed for divorce, but the Pope said that Henry could not do this. In his anger, he left the Catholic church. Henry really wanted a son to continue the dynasty, to keep the family name. His seven-year affair with Anne Boleyn led to the birth of Elizabeth. The king was very disappointed that Anne's baby was not a male. Anne started having several miscarriages. This made many people, includingHenry, think that she was doing this on purpose so that Henry would not have a prince to be king after he died. Anne's husband had her arrested for treason and adultery. A large mole on the back of her neck and an extra pinky on one of her hands were characteristics that were thought to be done by the devil. Thus, she was beheaded.
Henry had two more wives, Anne of Cleves, whom he divorced, and Katherine Howard, a cousin of Elizabeth, who was executed. Jane Seymour, his fourth wife, died in childbirth. Catherine Parr, his last and final wife, was the only wife of Henry who cared for Elizabeth. She educated her and made her one of the most educated women in England. Catherine was almost executed because she argued about different subjects with her husband, Henry. Henry would get mad and then his friends would warn him that his wife had too much influence over him. Then Catherine would act nice and flatter him and he would call off the execution.
King Henry VIII died in 1547. Elizabeth's half brother became king while still a child, but he died six years later. Then, Mary Tudor stepped up to the throne.