15. Acceptance of Dangerous Flattery
King Henry VIII’s susceptibility to courtly flattery and sycophancy often led to mistrust and turmoil in his marriages. For instance, his marriage to Anne of Cleves was arranged based on a flattering portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger. Upon meeting Anne, Henry was disappointed, stating, “I like her not well before but now I like her much worse.” This misjudgment led to the marriage’s annulment after six months (history.com). Similarly, his marriage to Catherine Howard was influenced by her youthful charm and the encouragement of her ambitious family, leading to her eventual downfall.
