How long were Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves married? Wolf Hall explained

"Wolf Hall" delves deeper into the ascent and decline of Thomas Cromwell, all set against the chaotic period of Henry VIII's rule and his notorious private life.

In the newest episode of the second season of the BBC series adapting Hilary Mantel's "The Mirror and the Light," the focus was on the brief marriage of the king to his fourth spouse, Anne of Cleves. The episode tells the story of how he consented to the marriage and the events that unfolded when they first met. However, it's uncertain just how long they were married before their relationship began to unravel.

If you want to find out more about Henry VIII's union with Anne of Cleves, here's what you should know.

In "Wolf Hall," Dana Herfurth portrays Anne of Cleves and Damian Lewis plays Henry VIII. Their characters were wed for a brief period, from January 1540 to July 1540. (BBC)

Henry VIII decided to marry Anne of Cleves not long after the passing of his third wife, Jane Seymour, who died while giving birth to their son Edward VI in 1537. They tied the knot in January 1540, but the marriage was annulled by July of the same year.

In 1539, talks about marriage started between the king and Anne of Cleves. He wanted to form a political alliance with her brother, William, who could help him against the Holy Roman Empire and Catholic France. To get a better idea of what Anne looked like, Henry VIII had a painter go to Germany to create a portrait of her. He liked the painting so much that it made him eager to marry her.

As "Wolf Hall" approaches its conclusion, what was the fate of Thomas Cromwell?

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What makes Thomas Cromwell from "Wolf Hall" such an intriguing character?

The king encountered his future wife for the first time while dressed incognito. Historians have noted that when she failed to recognize him and did not pay him any attention, Henry VIII was taken aback. He promptly donned his royal attire in order to be treated with the respect due to his status.

When Henry VIII met Anne of Cleves, he was taken aback by her appearance and reportedly expressed to Cromwell that he "didn't like her." He attempted to dodge the marriage altogether. Ultimately, his main advisor couldn't prevent the union, so Henry went ahead with the wedding. However, their marriage lasted only six months and was later declared unconsummated, leading to its annulment.

Life After Divorce: Anne Of Cleves' Journey

After her divorce from Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves continued to live in England and ended up surviving him and all of his other wives. She also had the opportunity to witness the coronations of Edward VI and Mary I. (Getty Images)

Following the annulment of her marriage to Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves stayed in England and earned the title of the King's Beloved Sister. She maintained a cordial relationship with the king and was respected above all his subjects, except for his children and future wives.

After Henry VIII executed his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, Anne attempted to persuade him to take her back, but she was unsuccessful. Ultimately, Henry chose to marry Catherine Parr, his last wife before he passed away in 1547. Anne of Cleves went on to witness the reigns of Henry's children, Edward VI and Mary I, and she was present for Mary I's coronation.

In the time of Mary I's rule, Anne of Cleves fell out of favor with the royal family because of her friendship with the queen's sister, Elizabeth. She then chose to lead a peaceful life until she passed away in 1557. Even though she died relatively young at 41, Anne of Cleves outlived all of Henry VIII's wives.

Wolf Hall will conclude on Sunday, December 15 at 9 PM on BBC One, and it will also be accessible for viewing on BBC iPlayer.