Anne of Cleves woke on the morning of 28 December 1539 at
Dover Castle in Kent. She had been provided with the most comfortable rooms in
the castle, as well as a suite of English servants to attend her, ensuring that
all her needs were met. She spent the day recuperating from her journey to her
new country, aware that she was not due to meet her new husband for several
days to come.
Although Anne had not yet met Henry by 28 December 1539, she
had been aware of his interest in her for nearly a year by that stage. With the
friendship between the French king and the Emperor, England was alert to the
threat of invasion, with Henry causing fortifications to be made, as well as
personally viewing a muster of the men of the city of London in May 1539. As a
schismatic, thanks to his break with Rome, Henry had few friends in Europe, particularly
since his personal religious beliefs remained largely Catholic rather than
Lutheran.
Henry’s chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, on the other hand,
was sympathetic towards the religious reform movement. This fed his interest in
building links with the Protestant Schmalkaldic League, which had been founded
by some of the German states.
The Schmalkaldic League, which had been formed in 1531 was
led by Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, and John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, who had
married Anne’s sister, Sibylla. As a Protestant defensive league, it was highly
politically influential and opposed to the influence of Charles V in Germany.
Although Cleves, which had remained a Catholic state, was not a member of the
League, the marriage between John Frederick and Sibylla ensured that it was
closely allied and associated with it. Anne and her younger sister, Amelia,
were the best matches that the Schmalkaldic League possessed. Cromwell knew
that, if Henry married one of the sisters-in-law of John Frederick, England
would be guaranteed an alliance with the Schmalkaldic League.
Certainly, John Frederick of Saxony was greatly in favour
with the alliance when it was proposed, exhorting his brother-in-law, William
of Cleves, to arrange the match in April 1539. Only the month before Henry had
sent ambassadors to Cleves in order to enquire into Anne’s appearance and
character. If they liked what they heard, they were to offer her brother
friendship and request a sight of Anne.
They were to inform the Duke of Cleves
that, if Henry liked the reports of Anne he ‘will be glad to honour his house
and family with matrimony wither and to depart as liberally with her and with
so convenient conditions as he shall have cause to be contented’. For Anne, it
was a highly flattering offer.
Sibylla of Cleves, Duchess of Saxony. Anne's sister provided a close link to the Schmalkaldic League
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