Catherine Henrietta (Portuguese: Catarina Henriqueta) was born on 25 November 1638, in Vila Viçosa, Portugal. She was the second surviving daughter of João, 8th Duke of Braganza and his wife, Luísa de Guzmán. She had two older siblings, Teodósio and Joana, and two younger brothers, Afonso and Pedro.
Following the Portuguese Restoration War, her father was acclaimed King João IV of Portugal, on 1 December 1640. With her father's new position as one of Europe's most important monarchs, Catherine became a prime choice for a wife. She was proposed as a bride for John of Austria, François de Vendôme, Louis XIV of France, and Charles II of England.
Commonly regarded as the power behind the throne, Queen Luísa was also a devoted mother and she took an active interest in her children's upbringing; she personally supervised Catherine's education. It is believed Catherine spent most of her youth in a convent close by the royal palace, where she remained under her mother's watchful eye. It was a very sheltered upbringing, with one contemporary remarking that Catherine was bred hugely retired and hath hardly been ten times out of the palace in her life.
Following the Portuguese Restoration War, her father was acclaimed King João IV of Portugal, on 1 December 1640. With her father's new position as one of Europe's most important monarchs, Catherine became a prime choice for a wife. She was proposed as a bride for John of Austria, François de Vendôme, Louis XIV of France, and Charles II of England.
Commonly regarded as the power behind the throne, Queen Luísa was also a devoted mother and she took an active interest in her children's upbringing; she personally supervised Catherine's education. It is believed Catherine spent most of her youth in a convent close by the royal palace, where she remained under her mother's watchful eye. It was a very sheltered upbringing, with one contemporary remarking that Catherine was bred hugely retired and hath hardly been ten times out of the palace in her life.
Catherine's sister, Joana, died in 1653, leaving Catherine as the eldest surviving child of her parents. Her husband was chosen by Queen Luísa, who acted as regent following the death of João IV in 1656.
Negotiations for marriage began during the reign of Charles I of England, were renewed after the Restoration, and on 23 June 1661, the marriage contract was finally signed. England secured Tangier and the Seven Islands of Bombay, trading privileges in Brazil and the East Indies, religious and commercial freedom in Portugal, and 2000000 Portuguese crowns; Portugal obtained military and naval support against Spain and liberty of worship for Catherine.
Catherine arrived at Portsmouth on the evening of 13/14 May 1662, but was not visited by Charles until 20 May. The following day, the couple were married at Portsmouth in two ceremonies: a Catholic one conducted in secret, followed by a public Anglican service.
Catherine possessed several good qualities, but had been brought up in a convent, secluded from the world, and was scarcely wife Charles would have chosen for himself. Her mother in law, Henrietta Maria, was pleased with her and wrote that She is the best creature in the world, for whom I have so much affection, I have the joy to see the King love her extremely. She is a Saint! In reality, Catherine's charms were not strong enough to wean Charles away from his mistresses. A few weeks after her arrival, she became aware of her painful and humiliating position as the wife of a licentious king.
Negotiations for marriage began during the reign of Charles I of England, were renewed after the Restoration, and on 23 June 1661, the marriage contract was finally signed. England secured Tangier and the Seven Islands of Bombay, trading privileges in Brazil and the East Indies, religious and commercial freedom in Portugal, and 2000000 Portuguese crowns; Portugal obtained military and naval support against Spain and liberty of worship for Catherine.
Catherine arrived at Portsmouth on the evening of 13/14 May 1662, but was not visited by Charles until 20 May. The following day, the couple were married at Portsmouth in two ceremonies: a Catholic one conducted in secret, followed by a public Anglican service.
Catherine possessed several good qualities, but had been brought up in a convent, secluded from the world, and was scarcely wife Charles would have chosen for himself. Her mother in law, Henrietta Maria, was pleased with her and wrote that She is the best creature in the world, for whom I have so much affection, I have the joy to see the King love her extremely. She is a Saint! In reality, Catherine's charms were not strong enough to wean Charles away from his mistresses. A few weeks after her arrival, she became aware of her painful and humiliating position as the wife of a licentious king.
Catherine became pregnant and miscarried at least three times and, during a severe illness in 1663, she imagined, for a time, that she had given birth. Her position was a difficult one, and though Charles continued to have children by his many mistresses, he insisted she be treated with respect. He also sided with her against his mistresses when he felt she was not receiving the respect she was due.
After three miscarriages, it seemed to be more and more unlikely that the Queen would bear an heir. Royal advisors urged the monarch to seek a divorce, hoping that the new wife would be Protestant and fertile - Charles refused. Throughout his reign, he firmly dismissed the idea of divorcing Catherine, and she remained faithful to Charles throughout their marriage.
Catherine was not a particularly popular choice of Queen since she was Catholic. She initially faced hardships due to the language barrier, the King's infidelities and the political conflicts between Catholics and Anglicans. Over time, her quiet decorum, loyalty and genuine affection for Charles changed the public's perception of her.
Although her difficulties with the English language persisted, as time went on, the once rigidly formal Portuguese infanta mellowed and began to enjoy some of the more innocent pleasures of the court. She loved to play cards, enjoyed dancing and took great delight in organising masques. She had a great love for countryside and picnics, archery and fishing.
On the first presentation to Charles' official mistress, Barbara Palmer, she fainted away upon realising who had been brought before her and Charles' insistence on making her Catherine's Lady of the Bedchamber. She withdrew from the King's society and declared she would return to Portugal rather to consent to a base compliance. To overcome her resistance, the King dismissed nearly the whole of her Portuguese retinue. She was helpless, ans the violence of her grief and anger soon changed to passive resistance, and then to a complete forbearance and complaisance. In the midst of Charles' debauched and licentious court, she lived neglected and retired.
Though known to keep her faith a private matter, her religion and proximity to the King made her the target of anti-Catholic sentiment. Catherine occupied herself with her faith and her piety was widely known; it was a characteristic in his wife that the King greatly admired.
At Charles' final illness in 1685, she showed anxiety for his reconciliation with the Catholic faith, and she exhibited great grief at his death. When he lay dying, he asked for Catherine, but she sent a message asking that her presence be excused and to beg his pardon if she had offended him all his life. He answered, Alas poor woman! She asks for my pardon? I beg hers with all my heart; take her back that answer.
Catherine remained in England, living at Somerset house, through the reign of James II and his deposition in the Glorious Revolution by William III and Mary II. Initially on good terms with William and Mary, her position deteriorated as the practice of her religion led to misunderstandings and increasing isolation.
She finally returned to Portugal in March 1692, where she took care of and mentored her nephew, Prince João. His mother, Maria Sophia of Neuburg, had recently died, and the prince had fallen into a depression. Catherine was instrumental in lifting the young prince's spirits, and soon became a key part in his life, as his tutor and main female figure in his life. Her death would, in fact, cause João to experience another depression.
Catherine of Braganza, the only Portuguese Queen of England, died at the Bemposta Palace in Lisbon on 31 December 1705; she was 67 years-old.
On the first presentation to Charles' official mistress, Barbara Palmer, she fainted away upon realising who had been brought before her and Charles' insistence on making her Catherine's Lady of the Bedchamber. She withdrew from the King's society and declared she would return to Portugal rather to consent to a base compliance. To overcome her resistance, the King dismissed nearly the whole of her Portuguese retinue. She was helpless, ans the violence of her grief and anger soon changed to passive resistance, and then to a complete forbearance and complaisance. In the midst of Charles' debauched and licentious court, she lived neglected and retired.
Though known to keep her faith a private matter, her religion and proximity to the King made her the target of anti-Catholic sentiment. Catherine occupied herself with her faith and her piety was widely known; it was a characteristic in his wife that the King greatly admired.
At Charles' final illness in 1685, she showed anxiety for his reconciliation with the Catholic faith, and she exhibited great grief at his death. When he lay dying, he asked for Catherine, but she sent a message asking that her presence be excused and to beg his pardon if she had offended him all his life. He answered, Alas poor woman! She asks for my pardon? I beg hers with all my heart; take her back that answer.
Catherine remained in England, living at Somerset house, through the reign of James II and his deposition in the Glorious Revolution by William III and Mary II. Initially on good terms with William and Mary, her position deteriorated as the practice of her religion led to misunderstandings and increasing isolation.
She finally returned to Portugal in March 1692, where she took care of and mentored her nephew, Prince João. His mother, Maria Sophia of Neuburg, had recently died, and the prince had fallen into a depression. Catherine was instrumental in lifting the young prince's spirits, and soon became a key part in his life, as his tutor and main female figure in his life. Her death would, in fact, cause João to experience another depression.
Catherine of Braganza, the only Portuguese Queen of England, died at the Bemposta Palace in Lisbon on 31 December 1705; she was 67 years-old.
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Catherine of Braganza
Peter Lely
1663/5
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