HIS 01 — ‘Divorced, Beheaded, Died’: The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Elaine Treharne
Date(s): Jul 1—Aug 12
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:30—8:00 pm (PT)
Please Note: No class on July 22
Tuition: $365
Refund Deadline: Jul 3
Unit(s): 0
Status: Open
Quarter: Summer
Day: Wednesdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:30—8:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Jul 1—Aug 12
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $365
Refund Deadline: Jul 3
Instructor(s): Elaine Treharne
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Please Note: No class on July 22
This six-lecture series will bring to life the three Katherines, two Annes, and one Jane who, from 1509 to 1547, kept Henry VIII on his toes. “Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived,” as the rhyme goes, tritely labels the outcome of each wife’s respective marriage. But the six women made their own mark—not only on the king and the culture of the court, but also on national and international relations, politics, religion, fashion, and learning. In these lectures, we’ll examine the story of the Tudor dynasty, the queens' achievements, the outcomes of their roles in royal life, and why these powerful women still stir the public imagination. We’ll hear from them in their own words, examine their lives and loves, and discover how and why they hold such a remarkable place in history.
ELAINE TREHARNE
Roberta Bowman Denning Professor of Humanities, Stanford
Elaine Treharne specializes in early textual cultures and manuscript studies. Most recently, she has published Perceptions of Medieval Manuscripts and co-edited The Cambridge Companion to Medieval British Manuscripts. She is the 2023 recipient of the Stanford Alumni Association's Richard W. Lyman Award. Treharne is a trustee of the National Library of Wales and a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and of the Society of Antiquaries. She received a PhD in English from the University of Manchester. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.