Henry VIII and His Six Wives Howard, Duke of Norfolk. Henry and Catherine marry, with Henry lavishing her with many gifts and jewels. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer then discovers that Catherine has had liaisons before her marriage, and presents this knowledge to Henry, who at first refuses to believe the charges. Cranmer secures a confession from Catherine, who also admits of an affair with Thomas Culpeper during her marriage to Henry. Catherine is beheaded. Henry, now elderly, approaches Catherine Parr, a widow from two previous marriages. Catherine is at first reluctant, citing her religious views which differ from Henry's, but Henry admits his need for companionship in
The Merry Wives of Windsor IV, Part 1" & "2"), in "Merry Wives". T.W. Craik suggests that Shakespeare was forced to interrupt work on "Henry IV, Part 2", having written most of it, because "The Merry Wives" had to be completed quickly. Another possible explanation comes from the epilogue to "Henry IV, Part 2", which promises to "continue the story, with Sir John in it". Sir John does not appear in "Henry V", so "Merry Wives" could have been written to make good on the pledge. At least parts of the play may have been written around or before the first performances of "Part 1"