Catherine was born in the year of 1512, probably in August. She was the eldest child of Sir Thomas Parr and his wife, Maud Green. She had a younger brother, William, and a younger sister, Anne. Sir Thomas was a close companion to King Henry VIII, and Maud was a close friend and attendant of Queen Catherine of Aragon. The Queen was Catherine's godmother and she was probably named after her.
Catherine's father died when she was young, and she grew up close to her mother. She received a standard education for women at the time, but developed a passion for learning throughout her life. She spoke fluent French, Latin, and Italian, and began learning Spanish when she became Queen.
Her first marriage happened in 1529, when she was 17. She married Sir Edward Burgh, becoming known as Lady Burgh. Sir Edward was in his twenties, but his health may have not been the best. He died in 1533 and Catherine was widowed for the first time.
Catherine's second marriage happened in the Summer of 1534. This time, she married John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer; he was twice her age and already had two children. Latimer was a Catholic supporter and had opposed the King's first annulment, his subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the religious consequences. During the uncertain times of the Lincolnshire Rising, Catherine strongly reacted against it and strengthened her adherence to the Church of England.
Catherine's father died when she was young, and she grew up close to her mother. She received a standard education for women at the time, but developed a passion for learning throughout her life. She spoke fluent French, Latin, and Italian, and began learning Spanish when she became Queen.
Her first marriage happened in 1529, when she was 17. She married Sir Edward Burgh, becoming known as Lady Burgh. Sir Edward was in his twenties, but his health may have not been the best. He died in 1533 and Catherine was widowed for the first time.
Catherine's second marriage happened in the Summer of 1534. This time, she married John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer; he was twice her age and already had two children. Latimer was a Catholic supporter and had opposed the King's first annulment, his subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the religious consequences. During the uncertain times of the Lincolnshire Rising, Catherine strongly reacted against it and strengthened her adherence to the Church of England.
The suspicion that Latimer was Catholic tarnished his reputation, and this reflected on Catherine. Despite never being accused, the Latimers moved to the south, where Thomas Cromwell could keep an eye on them. Catherine used this time to visit her siblings at court.
Lord Latimer fell ill, and Catherine nursed him to his death, in 1543. She was now widowed for the second time. Dreading the possibility of returning north, Catherine used her mother's friendship with the former Catherine of Aragon, and renewed her own friendship with the former Queen's daughter, Lady Mary. She became part of her household and it was there that she caught the eye of the King.
Catherine married Henry VIII on 12 July 1543. Once she became Queen, she tried to reconcile the King with his two daughters, and developed a good relationship with Henry's son, Edward.
Lord Latimer fell ill, and Catherine nursed him to his death, in 1543. She was now widowed for the second time. Dreading the possibility of returning north, Catherine used her mother's friendship with the former Catherine of Aragon, and renewed her own friendship with the former Queen's daughter, Lady Mary. She became part of her household and it was there that she caught the eye of the King.
Catherine married Henry VIII on 12 July 1543. Once she became Queen, she tried to reconcile the King with his two daughters, and developed a good relationship with Henry's son, Edward.
Catherine was left as regent when Henry decided to go on his last campaign to France. She had effective control and was able to rule as she saw fit. It is thought that her actions as regent, together with her strength of character and dignity, greatly influenced her stepdaughter, the future Elizabeth I.
By the mid-1540s, Catherine fell under suspicion that she was a Protestant. This is supported by her second book, Lamentations of a Sinner, which was published in late 1547.
By the mid-1540s, Catherine fell under suspicion that she was a Protestant. This is supported by her second book, Lamentations of a Sinner, which was published in late 1547.
In 1546, the Bishop of Winchester and Lord Wriothesley tried to turn the King against the Queen and an arrest warrant was drawn up. Catherine saw it and managed to reconcile with the King, after vowing that she only argued about religion with him to take his mind off the suffering caused by his ulcerous leg.
Following Henry's death on January 1547, Catherine retired from court and reunited with her old love, Thomas Seymour. They married in secret only six months after the death of the King. When their union became public, it caused a small scandal, and both Edward VI and Lady Mary were very displeased.
In March 1548, Catherine fell pregnant. This came as a surprise, because Catherine had never conceived during her three previous marriages.
Following Henry's death on January 1547, Catherine retired from court and reunited with her old love, Thomas Seymour. They married in secret only six months after the death of the King. When their union became public, it caused a small scandal, and both Edward VI and Lady Mary were very displeased.
In March 1548, Catherine fell pregnant. This came as a surprise, because Catherine had never conceived during her three previous marriages.
She gave birth to a daughter on 30 August 1548, named Mary in honour of her stepdaughter. Six days later, on 5 September 1548, Dowager Queen Catherine died, victim of childbed fever.
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| Catherine Parr attributed to William Scrots (c. 1545) |
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