Henry VIII's Confirmed Mistresses and Romantic Liaisons
King Henry VIII is widely remembered for his six marriages, but his romantic life extended far beyond his legal spouses. Throughout his reign, the King maintained several relationships with mistresses, some of whom held significant influence at court or were closely related to his future wives.
Key Facts
- Elizabeth Blount bore Henry VIII an acknowledged illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy.
- Mary Boleyn is frequently cited as one of the King's favorite mistresses.
- Henry VIII engaged in romantic relationships with Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, and Catherine Howard before they became his queens.
- The King's romantic interests often overlapped with the circles of his maids-of-honour.
Confirmed Mistresses of the King
Elizabeth Blount
Elizabeth (or Bessie) Blount is notable for being the mother of Henry VIII's illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy. The name FitzRoy literally translates to "son of the king." Henry VIII acknowledged the boy and granted him the dukedoms of Somerset and Richmond. During the 1530s, while the King lacked a legitimate male heir, there were discussions regarding the possibility of legitimizing FitzRoy.
Mary Boleyn
The sister of Anne Boleyn, Mary is often regarded as Henry's favorite mistress. While rumors persisted that one or both of Mary's children were fathered by the King, no concrete evidence exists to prove that either child was biologically his.
Margaret "Madge" Shelton
Margaret Shelton was a first cousin of Anne Boleyn. According to reports from Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial ambassador, the King had an affair with "Mistress Shelton" for approximately six months starting in February 1535.
The Imperial Lady
In 1534, an unidentified woman known as "The Imperial Lady" became the King's mistress. She utilized her position of influence to advocate for the better treatment of Princess Mary and Catherine of Aragon.
Romantic Liaisons with Future Spouses
Henry VIII's path to the altar often began with romantic involvement. He was involved with three of his future wives before their marriages, though it remains unclear if these relationships were sexual prior to the wedding vows.
His relationship with Anne Boleyn began around 1526, coinciding with the end of his affair with her sister, Mary. At the time, Anne served as a maid-of-honour—a high-ranking lady-in-waiting—to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Due to this relationship, some critics referred to Anne as a "naughty paike" (prostitute) or "the king's whore." Notably, their daughter, Elizabeth I, was born on September 7, 1533, nearly eight months after their marriage on January 25, 1533.
By the beginning of 1536, while still married to Anne, Henry began openly courting Jane Seymour, who was Anne's second cousin and also a maid-of-honour. Even in middle age, the King's pursuit of mistresses continued; in 1540, he courted Catherine Howard. Catherine was a first cousin to both Anne and Mary Boleyn and served as a maid-of-honour to Henry's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
Summary of Henry VIII's Notable Non-Marital Relationships
| Name | Relationship to King | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Blount | Mistress | Mother of Henry FitzRoy |
| Mary Boleyn | Mistress | Sister of Anne Boleyn; considered a favorite |
| Margaret Shelton | Mistress | Cousin of Anne Boleyn; affair lasted ~6 months |
| The Imperial Lady | Mistress | Advocated for Catherine of Aragon and Princess Mary |
| Anne Boleyn | Future Wife | Relationship began c. 1526 |
| Jane Seymour | Future Wife | Courted while Henry was married to Anne Boleyn |
| Catherine Howard | Future Wife | Cousin of the Boleyns; courted in 1540 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Henry VIII's acknowledged illegitimate son?
Henry FitzRoy, the son of Elizabeth Blount, was acknowledged by the King and created the Duke of Somerset and Richmond.
Did Henry VIII have a relationship with Anne Boleyn before they married?
Yes, Henry was involved with Anne Boleyn starting around 1526, while she was a maid-of-honour to Catherine of Aragon.
Was Mary Boleyn the mother of the King's children?
Although there were rumors that the King fathered one or both of Mary Boleyn's children, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Who was the "Imperial Lady"?
The Imperial Lady was a mistress of Henry VIII in 1534 who used her influence to seek better treatment for Princess Mary and Catherine of Aragon.
How were Catherine Howard and the Boleyns related?
Catherine Howard was a first cousin to both Anne Boleyn and Mary Boleyn.