Six Wives with Lucy Worsley tells the story of Henry VIII’s partners with a hint of Mean Girls

The TV historian offers an energetic and well-intentioned look at the 16th century women
1/8
Ben Travis8 December 2016

If you had any worries that Lucy Worsley’s new BBC series about the wives of Henry VIII would be a bit dry, they’re laid to rest in the opening minute.

In an at-a-glance overview of each woman’s character, Worsley’s verdicts sound like a medieval version of the Burn Book from Mean Girls.

There’s Catherine of Aragon (“the bitter, abandoned first wife”), followed by Anne Boleyn (“the original ‘other woman’”), Jane Seymour (“bit of a doormat”), Anne of Cleves (“the ugly one”), Katherine Howard (“the one who slept around”), and Kathryn Parr (“the saintly nurse”).

It’s indicative of a light and energetic tone that pervades throughout Six Wives.

“I’m going to see the story from their point of view, and I’ll watch as events unfold,” Worsley explains at the start of the episode.

“These events all really happened, and were recorded in historical documents or reported by eye witnesses.”

What that really means is the presenter donning a variety of costumes and eavesdropping on re-enactments of fiery conversations that are more 16th century EastEnders than Wolf Hall.

The presentation might be slightly naff at times, but the intention here is good – while Henry’s wives are some of the most famous women in history, they’re often overshadowed by the man they were all at one point married to.

Here, as the title suggests, the focus is truly on the wives: their differences, personalities, struggles, and experiences. It’s entertaining pop history, best watched with popcorn in hand.

BBC One, 9pm

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