Catherine (Spanish: Catalina; Aragonese: Catarina) was born on the night of 16 December 1485, in Alcalá de Henares, Castile. She was the youngest surviving child of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. She was a beautiful girl, quite short, with long red hair, big blue eyes, a round face and a fair complexion.
Like her sisters, she received the finest education: she studied arithmetic, canon and civil law, classic literature, genealogy and heraldry, history, philosophy, religion and theology. She could speak, read and write in Spanish and Latin, and spoke French and Greek. She was also taught dancing, drawing, embroidery, lace-making, music, sewing, spinning and weaving. Catherine had a strong religious upbringing (her parents were, after all, the Catholic Monarchs) and her Roman Catholic faith would play a major role in her life.
At an early age, Catherine was considered a suitable wife for Arthur, Prince of Wales, due to her own English ancestry. At the time, the House of Trastámara was the most prestigious in Europe, so the alliance of Catherine and Arthur validated the House of Tudor in the eyes of European royalty. They married by proxy on 19 May 1499 and corresponded in Latin until Arthur was 15. At that point, it was decided that they were old enough to be married.
Arthur and Catherine met personally for the first time on 4 November 1501, when she arrived in England. He wrote to his parents-in-law that he would be a true and loving husband, and told his own parents that he was immensely happy to behold the face of his lovely bride. Ten days later, on 14 November 1501, they married at Old St. Paul's Cathedral.
Once married, Arthur was sent to Ludlow Castle, on the borders of Wales to preside over the Council of Wales and the Marches as was his duty; Catherine accompanied him. A few months later, they both fell ill, possibly with the sweating sickness. Arthur died on 2 April 1502; Catherine recovered to find herself a widow.
Now King Henry VII faced a problem: avoiding the obligation to return Catherine's dowry, half of which he had not yet received. Following the death of his wife, Elizabeth of York, Henry considered marrying Catherine himself. However, her father opposed the idea and the potential questions over the legitimacy of their issue terminated the idea. Instead, it was agreed that Catherine would marry the King's other son: Henry, Duke of York. The marriage was delayed until Henry was old enough and Ferdinand procrastinated so much over the payment of the dowry that it was doubtful that Catherine and Henry would ever marry.
Now King Henry VII faced a problem: avoiding the obligation to return Catherine's dowry, half of which he had not yet received. Following the death of his wife, Elizabeth of York, Henry considered marrying Catherine himself. However, her father opposed the idea and the potential questions over the legitimacy of their issue terminated the idea. Instead, it was agreed that Catherine would marry the King's other son: Henry, Duke of York. The marriage was delayed until Henry was old enough and Ferdinand procrastinated so much over the payment of the dowry that it was doubtful that Catherine and Henry would ever marry.
During these years, Catherine lived as a virtual prisoner at Durham House, in London. She had little money and struggled to cope. In 1507, she served as the Spanish ambassador to England, becoming the first female ambassador in European history. Henry VII and his councillors expected her to be easily manipulated. They were wrong.
Marriage to Henry depended on something: the Pope granting a dispensation because canon law forbade a man to marry his brother's widow. Catherine testified that the marriage was never consummated and, as according to the canon law, it was not valid (keep this in mind, it's important!).
Catherine finally married on 11 June 1509, seven years after Arthur's death. Henry was now Henry VIII, having acceded to the throne recently. She was 23 years old; he was just days short of his 18th birthday. On 24 June 1509, King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine were anointed and crowned together by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a lavish ceremony. The Queen made a good impression and was well received by the people.
Catherine was pregnant seven times altogether. The first pregnancy resulted in the miscarriage of a girl. The second pregnancy resulted in a baby boy, named Henry, born on 1 January 1511. However, the baby died only 52 days later. The third and fourth pregnancies both ended with stillborn boys. In the summer of 1515, Catherine found herself pregnant again; this time, there wasn't much hope there would be an heir. On 18 February 1516, the Queen gave birth to a healthy baby girl, named Mary; Henry was disappointed, but hoped boys would follow. There were two more pregnancies, but neither had a happy ending.
On 11 June 1513, Catherine was appointed Regent in England while her husband went to France on a military campaign. The war in Scotland occupied her subjects, and she was horrible busy with making standards, banners, and badges. The Scots invaded and on 3 September 1513, an army was raised. Catherine rode north in full armour to address the troops, despite being heavily pregnant at the time. England won the battle of Flodden Field and, from Woburn Abbey, Catherine sent a letter to Henry along with a piece of the bloodied coat of James IV of Scotland, who died in the battle.
Catherine's religious dedication increased as she got older, as did her interests in academics. She kept broadening her knowledge and provided a fine education for her daughter, Mary. Education among women became fashionable, partly because of Catherine's influence. She also donated large sums of money to several colleges. However, despite Mary's exquisite education, Henry still considered that a male heir was essential.
In 1525, Henry became enamoured of Anne Boleyn, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen; he began to pursue her. By this time, Catherine was no longer able to bear children, and Henry started to believe that their marriage was cursed. He sought confirmation in the Bible, which he interpreted to say that if a man marries his brother's wife, they shall be childless. Even if Catherine and Arthur's marriage had not been consummated (Catherine insisted on this until her dying day), Henry's interpretation meant that their marriage was wrong in the eyes of God (see, I told you it was important!).
It soon became the one absorbing object of Henry's desire to secure an annulment. Catherine was defiant when it was suggested she would retire to a nunnery, saying God never called me to a nunnery. I am the King's true and legitimate wife. His hopes were set upon an appeal to the Holy See but it didn't come to pass. Henry had to put this matter in the hands of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who did all he could to secure an annulment. Wolsey went so far as to convene an ecclesiastical court in England, with a representative of the Pope presiding, and Henry and Catherine in attendance. However, Henry saw that the Pope was unlikely to annul his marriage; Thomas Wolsey had failed and for that, he was dismissed from public office. In 1531, Catherine was banished from court and her old rooms were given to Anne Boleyn.
Upon returning to Dover from a meeting with Francis I of France, Henry married Anne Boleyn in a secret ceremony. Henry defended the legality of the union by pointing out that Catherine had been previously married and, if she and Arthur had consummated their marriage, he had the right to remarry. On 23 May 1533, Thomas Cranmer, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, declared Henry and Catherine's marriage null and void. Five days later, his marriage with Anne was deemed valid. Until the end of her life, Catherine would refer to herself as Henry's lawful wife and England's righteous Queen, and her servants continued to address her by that title, despite Henry having refused her any title but Dowager Princess of Wales.
Catherine went to live at The More castle in the winter of 1531. In 1535, she was transferred to Kimbolton Castle, where she confined herself to one room, only leaving to attend mass. She dressed only in the hair shirt of the Order of St. Francis and fasted continuously. She was forbidden to see her daughter; they were also forbidden to communicate in writing but sympathizers would discreetly carry letters between the two.
In later December 1535, she sensed her death was near. She penned one last letter to Henry:
Marriage to Henry depended on something: the Pope granting a dispensation because canon law forbade a man to marry his brother's widow. Catherine testified that the marriage was never consummated and, as according to the canon law, it was not valid (keep this in mind, it's important!).
Catherine finally married on 11 June 1509, seven years after Arthur's death. Henry was now Henry VIII, having acceded to the throne recently. She was 23 years old; he was just days short of his 18th birthday. On 24 June 1509, King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine were anointed and crowned together by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a lavish ceremony. The Queen made a good impression and was well received by the people.
Catherine was pregnant seven times altogether. The first pregnancy resulted in the miscarriage of a girl. The second pregnancy resulted in a baby boy, named Henry, born on 1 January 1511. However, the baby died only 52 days later. The third and fourth pregnancies both ended with stillborn boys. In the summer of 1515, Catherine found herself pregnant again; this time, there wasn't much hope there would be an heir. On 18 February 1516, the Queen gave birth to a healthy baby girl, named Mary; Henry was disappointed, but hoped boys would follow. There were two more pregnancies, but neither had a happy ending.
On 11 June 1513, Catherine was appointed Regent in England while her husband went to France on a military campaign. The war in Scotland occupied her subjects, and she was horrible busy with making standards, banners, and badges. The Scots invaded and on 3 September 1513, an army was raised. Catherine rode north in full armour to address the troops, despite being heavily pregnant at the time. England won the battle of Flodden Field and, from Woburn Abbey, Catherine sent a letter to Henry along with a piece of the bloodied coat of James IV of Scotland, who died in the battle.
Catherine's religious dedication increased as she got older, as did her interests in academics. She kept broadening her knowledge and provided a fine education for her daughter, Mary. Education among women became fashionable, partly because of Catherine's influence. She also donated large sums of money to several colleges. However, despite Mary's exquisite education, Henry still considered that a male heir was essential.
In 1525, Henry became enamoured of Anne Boleyn, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen; he began to pursue her. By this time, Catherine was no longer able to bear children, and Henry started to believe that their marriage was cursed. He sought confirmation in the Bible, which he interpreted to say that if a man marries his brother's wife, they shall be childless. Even if Catherine and Arthur's marriage had not been consummated (Catherine insisted on this until her dying day), Henry's interpretation meant that their marriage was wrong in the eyes of God (see, I told you it was important!).
It soon became the one absorbing object of Henry's desire to secure an annulment. Catherine was defiant when it was suggested she would retire to a nunnery, saying God never called me to a nunnery. I am the King's true and legitimate wife. His hopes were set upon an appeal to the Holy See but it didn't come to pass. Henry had to put this matter in the hands of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who did all he could to secure an annulment. Wolsey went so far as to convene an ecclesiastical court in England, with a representative of the Pope presiding, and Henry and Catherine in attendance. However, Henry saw that the Pope was unlikely to annul his marriage; Thomas Wolsey had failed and for that, he was dismissed from public office. In 1531, Catherine was banished from court and her old rooms were given to Anne Boleyn.
Upon returning to Dover from a meeting with Francis I of France, Henry married Anne Boleyn in a secret ceremony. Henry defended the legality of the union by pointing out that Catherine had been previously married and, if she and Arthur had consummated their marriage, he had the right to remarry. On 23 May 1533, Thomas Cranmer, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, declared Henry and Catherine's marriage null and void. Five days later, his marriage with Anne was deemed valid. Until the end of her life, Catherine would refer to herself as Henry's lawful wife and England's righteous Queen, and her servants continued to address her by that title, despite Henry having refused her any title but Dowager Princess of Wales.
Catherine went to live at The More castle in the winter of 1531. In 1535, she was transferred to Kimbolton Castle, where she confined herself to one room, only leaving to attend mass. She dressed only in the hair shirt of the Order of St. Francis and fasted continuously. She was forbidden to see her daughter; they were also forbidden to communicate in writing but sympathizers would discreetly carry letters between the two.
In later December 1535, she sensed her death was near. She penned one last letter to Henry:
My most dear lord, king and husband,
The hour of my death now drawing on, the tender love I owe you forceth me, my case being such, to commend myself to you, and to put you in remembrance with a few words of the health and safeguard of your soul which you ought to prefer before all worldly matters, and before the care and pampering of your body, for the which you have cast me into many calamities and yourself into many troubles. For my part, I pardon you everything, and wish to devoutly pray God that He will pardon you also. For the rest, I commend unto you our daughter, Mary, beseeching you to be a good father unto her, as I have heretofore desired. I entreat you also, on behalf of my maids, to give them marriage portions, which is not much, they being but three. For all my servants I solicit the wages due them, and a year more, lest they be unprovided for. Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things.
Katharine the Quene.
The hour of my death now drawing on, the tender love I owe you forceth me, my case being such, to commend myself to you, and to put you in remembrance with a few words of the health and safeguard of your soul which you ought to prefer before all worldly matters, and before the care and pampering of your body, for the which you have cast me into many calamities and yourself into many troubles. For my part, I pardon you everything, and wish to devoutly pray God that He will pardon you also. For the rest, I commend unto you our daughter, Mary, beseeching you to be a good father unto her, as I have heretofore desired. I entreat you also, on behalf of my maids, to give them marriage portions, which is not much, they being but three. For all my servants I solicit the wages due them, and a year more, lest they be unprovided for. Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things.
Katharine the Quene.
Catherine of Aragon died at Kimbolton Castle on 7 January 1536. She was buried in Peterborough Cathedral with the ceremony due to a Dowager Princess of Wales, not a Queen. Henry did not attend the funeral and forbade Mary to attend.
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Catherine of Aragon
Lucas Hornebolte
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