Katherine of Aragon, the Spanish Princess

I’’m neck deep in Allison Weir’s book The Six Wives of Henry VIII and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It’s such an interesting story. Each queen has their own journey. And this is Catherine of Aragon’s. 

1. Katherine of Aragon was born to Ferdinand II and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain. This appealed to King Henry VII who wanted an alliance with Spain. He also thought it might solidify his claim to the throne which was not exactly legitimate. So Henry VII arranged a marriage between Katherine of Aragon and his oldest son, Arthur. They were wed but Arthur passed away. Whether or not they consummated the marriage, is up for debate but Katherine has always said they never did, even on her deathbed. 

2. When Arthur passed away (at age fifteen), Katherine was wed to Henry the VIII, Arthur’s younger brother. It is said Henry VIII (who was slightly younger than Katherine) adored her and was in love with her. She ruled as a great queen for twenty four years. (https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/catherine-aragon-facts-henry-viii-first-wife-mother-death-mary-buried/) 

3. Childbirth was extremely dangerous for both mother and baby (they still had no concept of hygiene). Katherine gave birth six times but only one child survived, a girl (Mary). This did not please Henry VIII who needed a male heir. (https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-of-aragon/)

4. Katherine spelled her name with ‘K’ though you might see it written with a C (In Spain, she was called Catalina). (https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-of-aragon/)

5. Henry VIII took many mistresses, even having an illegitimate child with one of them. One of his mistresses was Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, the king’s future and second wife. As many women did (royal and otherwise), Katherine tolerated her husband’s philandering.

6. After meeting Anne Boleyn and  feeling that Katherine of Aragon could not give him an heir Henry VIII wanted an annulment and sought one from the Pope. He tried arguing that indeed Katherine of Aragon had slept with his brother which would make his marriage to Katherine of Aragon incest and illegitimate in the eyes of the Catholic Church. (https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-of-aragon/)

7. Katherine believed it was her divine right to be Queen of England and Henry’s wife. She was a pious woman and did not believe in divorce. The Pope refused to grant the annulment.

8. Henry the VIII then created the Church of England of which he was head, going against the Catholic Church. He exiled his first wife but the cruelest thing of all was not letting her bring Mary.She never saw her daughter again,

9. Yes, that is the same Mary who will become Bloody Mary and persecute the Protestants of England. 

10. Henry’s treatment of Katherine did not do much for his image as Kattherine was a popular Queen, despite her inability to produce an heir.