What is the mnemonic device for remembering the fates of the wives of Henry VIII?

The story behind the answer

Correct because it matches the fates, in order, of Henry VIII’s six wives: Catherine of Aragon—divorced (annulled); Anne Boleyn—beheaded; Jane Seymour—died; Anne of Cleves—divorced (annulled); Catherine Howard—beheaded; Catherine Parr—survived. Hence the classic rhyme: Divorced, Beheaded, Died; Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.

Context: Henry’s drive for a male heir and shifting alliances pushed him into annulments and executions, even breaking with the Pope to end his first marriage—sparking the English Reformation. Memory tips: remember “DBD | DBS” as two identical trios; link names to outcomes—three Catherines run through all three results in order (Divorced, Beheaded, Survived), the two Annes split (Boleyn beheaded, Cleves divorced), and the single Jane (Seymour) died.