Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, was a German noblewoman who became Queen of England through a political marriage arranged by Thomas Cromwell. Despite attempts to portray her as attractive, Henry was disappointed by her physical appearance, referring to her as "the Flanders Mare." Their marriage was short-lived, and Anne's inability to conceive a child led to its annulment after six months. Henry divorced Anne in 1540, granting her the title of "the King's Sister" and a generous financial settlement. She outlived Henry and two of his subsequent wives, remaining in England until her death in 1557.
