Catherine of Aragon - The Spanish Princess - Queen of England
Catherine of Aragon was born on 16 December 1485 at Archbishops Palace of Alcalá de Henares, near Madrid. Daughter to Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Queen Isabelle I of Castile. Catherine was not Christened but did hold a Roman Catholic belief.
She was born into the House of Lancaster - an English Royal House - through her Grandparents being related to Henry Tudor (VII).
Catherine was well educated, and her Tutor was Alessandro Geraldini - a clerk in the Holy Orders. Catherine's education was very vast, she studied Arithmetic, Canon and Civil Law, Classical Literature, Genealogy and Heraldry. As well as History, Philosophy, Religion and Theology. Catherine didn't stop there either, she was well educated in a few languages, and she could speak, read and write in Latin and Spanish, and she could also speak French and Greek. Catherine also got taught how to cook, dance, draw, embroil, learnt needle point, sewing, spinning and weaving, as well as lace making, music, and good manners.
Catherine of Aragon
1488, when Catherine was around 2/3 years old, she had gotten enbrothed to Arthur Tudor, Henry VII's first Son. They didn't actually meet each other until 4 November 1501! The marriage had all been arranged by Henry Tudor himself. Catherine and Arthur married 10 days later at St Paul's Cathedral, London - even though only half of Catherine's dowry had been paid off. Shortly after their wedding, Arthur was sent to Ludlow Castle, Wales, to carry out his role as the Prince of Wales, and so Catherine became the Princess of Wales.
This sadly didn't last long, because some point during their marriage, Catherine and Arthur both became unwell from an unknown illness, while Catherine recovered back to full health, Arthur sadly didn't, and 6 months later on 2 April 1502, Arthur passes away.
Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales
Catherine is now living her young Teenage life as a Widow, and this meant Catherine had some troubling times ahead. With only half of Catherine's dowry paid off, this meant by contract, Catherine would have to return to Spain. So Henry VII had another idea, marry Catherine himself, but this wouldn't have gone down well with his people because his Wife, Elizabeth Platagent, had only recently passed away herself.
But in 1491, Henry, and his Wife Elizabeth did birth a third child, a Son, Henry Tudor.
Around 1505, discussions about Henry and Catherine marrying began. This wasn't an easy ride though, because under the Canon Law, it is condemned to marry your Husbands Brother. And so, this marriage depended on one person, Pope Julius II. Catherine was adamant that her marriage with Arthur Tudor was never consummated - meaning their marriage was invalid. When Pope Julius learnt this, he allowed them to marry by signing them a special dispensation.
And so in 1509, when Henry Tudor became King, he married Catherine of Aragon in a private ceremony at the church of the Observant Friars outside Greenwich Palace - this was probably to avoid the voices of the people who may not have agreed with Catherine marrying her late Husbands Brother - Catherine's main role and Queen and Wife to Henry was to birth him a Son.
Catherine and Henry had many failed pregnancies, but they did birth a Daughter, who became a Queen, Mary I of England - head over to -wednesdayshistory.blogspot.com/2020/04/mary-tudor.html- to read more about her!
In August 1509, Catherine announces she is pregnant with their first Child, a Daughter, but sadly on 31 January 1510, she passes. Only a few months later, in May the same year, Catherine is pregnant with their second, a Son. He was born 1 January 1511, named Henry Tudor and was christened at Richmond, his Godparents were, Archbishop of Canterbury, Earl of Surrey and the Countess of Devon.
Henry however sadly passed on 22 February 1511, and was buried at Westminster Abbey.
1315 and Henry VIII sets sail from Dover to Calais, Catherine acted as regent while he was absent, she was also pregnant with their third. Catherine gave birth to their second Son on 17 September, but sadly he passes only a few hours after. At some point during the year 1514, Catherine announces she is pregnant with their fourth child, a Son, she birthed him on 8 January 1515. but he sadly passed in the womb.
Catherine falls pregnant for the fifth time during the year 1515. This was an unhappy pregnancy, before the birth, Catherine's Father sadly passes away on 23 January 1516. And only a few month later, on 18 February 1516, Mary Tudor was born. Even though their was a lot of happiness and celebrations, Henry wasn't very happy, for Catherine had yet to birth him a Son...
Two years later Catherine announces she is pregnant with their third Daughter, but she sadly passes on 10 November 1518.
Mary Tudor, Mary I of England
By 1519, Catherine become slightly unwell, her physical and mental health started to slowly deteriorate, which is understandable considering how many children this poor couple had lost. During this year, Catherine also started to withdraw herself from the Court as she became very upset on learning that Henry VIII, had in fact birthed a Son, Henry Fitzroy, with his former mistress, Elizabeth Blount.
It is believed that Henry thought very high of his Son, and he was very happy when he found the news out.
But this was just the beginning to what became a very stressful, and somewhat unhappy marriage.
In the year 1524, Henry VIII starts questioning the validity of their marriage - he became very concerned about a certain passage in the Book of Leviticus, which warns of the consequences of anyone marrying their Brothers Widow - which I will cover more off when I do a separate blog about Henry VIII himself.
He told Catherine that they had been living in Sin and that they should divorce, he asked for her co-operation and understanding, Catherine argued that she believed that their marriage was legal as well as valid, and refused to have their marriage annulled.
Charles V, Catherine's Cousin, Holy Roman Emperor
July 1527, Catherine writes to her Nephew, Charles V, explaining the current situation she is in with Henry and his views on their marriage. She also asks Charles if he can speak to the Pope and see if he can get the case heard in a Rome Court. By Summer 1528, Catherine learnt, that Henry had been having an affair with Anne Boleyn - this was not well received by the public, they booed and jeered whenever she was seen...
By Summer 1528, Catherine had returned to Court as she had been taken with ill health. During this time, Thomas Wolsey - Henry VIII's almoner, met with Robert Shorton - Catherine's almoner . Robert insisted that Catherine's first marriage was never consummated, he also mentioned that there are Papal Bulls - an official letter or document issued by the Pope - over in Spain stating that the marriage between Catherine and Henry was allowed - despite any impediment! Thomas Worsley refused to listen and insisted that Catherine step down, and retire gracefully, allowing Henry to remarry freely.
Catherine of Aragon
October 1528, Catherine announces that she has, in her possession, a copy of the dispensation issued by the Pope, that allowed them to marry, even if her first marriage was consummated, or not! On 24 October, Cardinal Campeggio - who had been sent to assist Thomas Wosley, met with Catherine advising her to retire gracefully, Catherine refused, and stated she will live and die a married woman!
October was a very hard time for Catherine, shortly after her conversation with the Cardinal, she had received a letter, saying that she was inciting the people of England to rebellion, this would have been because it wasn't common practice to for a Queen to rebel against her King.
The letter also said that, if Catherine continues to go against Henry, she would also be separated from her daughter, Mary - but still Catherine refused to have their marriage annulled!
By November 1528, Catherine had become separated from Mary, and she was also kept in isolation, but still Catherine refused to co-operate with Henry's wishes - guess you can say this young lady was really devoted to Henry and their marriage, especially considering not many Queens, would have acted regent like Catherine did for Henry given her situation at the time... While Catherine was living in isolation, Thomas Wosley wrote to her asking for the original copy of the dispensation, but Catherine was worried that if she did this, they would destroy it when it arrives in England.
The following year, on June 18, Catherine asks if the case can be heard in a Rome Court, this appeal was refused and was told to reappear on June 21. At the case hearing, Henry explains his fears about how the Gods are going to punish him for marrying his Brothers one and only Wife. Catherine on the other hand, states her love and loyalty for Henry - even asking him to bare witness to her being a virgin when they consummated their marriage on the first night! She again appealed for the case to be heard in a Rome Court as she did not recognise the authority of the Court, again this was refused and Catherine walked out of Court.
When the Court re-opened on 25 June 1529, Catherine did not appear, and so the case continued in her absence. At the hearing, a lot got said about the legitimacy and validity of their marriage. Henry started to think that the Court wasn't able enough to help him
Thomas Cranmar, the Archbishop of Canterbury - who was helping Henry build his case - told Henry to go to the Doctors of Divinity in the Universities of Bible Studies, as they would have stated that the marriage was invalid based on Catherine marrying her late Husbands Brother...
Eustache Chapyus, a new Spanish Ambassador arrives to England committed to help Catherine. But he later admits he sadly can not help her as Henry is adamant he will get his divorce.
24 December Henry tells Catherine that even if the Pope declares their marriage lawful, he will get his divorce...
Early December 1529, Catherine was ordered to leave Greenwich Palace and go to Richmond. But by 24 December 1529 Catherine had returned to Court, as there was unease building amongst the people about here being sent away. Henry reminded Catherine that will get his divorce, and if the Pope declares their marriage lawful he call out the Pope for being a heretic.
By the end of 1529 Catherine was sent back to Richmond.
While there Catherine had sent another letter, this time to Dr Pedro Ortiz, her representative in Rome, begging him to put pressure on the Pope over the validity of their marriage
Christmas 1529, and Catherine was present at the Court for the Twelfth Night celebrations, Henry was polite enough to sit at the same table as his Wife.
5 January 1531, Henry received a brief, issued to him by the Pope - by Catherine's demand - stating he has to separate from Anne Boleyn, Henry glances at the paper in front of him, takes it from the Pope and places it next to him...
A privy of councillors were sent to go and speak to Catherine, in order to get her to make her marriage annul, as always Catherine refused stating this time that she will only change her mind if the Pope declares their marriage invalid or unlawful
11 July 1531 Henry has moved the Court to Woodstock to go hunting. Catherine wakes to find Henry gone, leaving her and Catherine alone in Windsor, she writes to him saying she's deeply upset she wasn't up in time to say goodbye to him before he left - Henry never told Catherine of his plan to move the Court.
Catherine was told she should leave Windsor, and find some other place for her and Mary to reside. Catherine was very hurt and upset, and wrote to Henry explaining that he had taken matters to far. Henry replied, and sent her to The Manor of the More...
Christmas 1531, Catherine wasn't invited to the Court, she did send a gift to Henry, but he sent it back with a letter stating it is not proper of them to exchange gifts as they are no longer Man and Wife.
Henry Tudor, King Henry VIII
Poor Catherine was told to move from place to place for the next couple years of her life.
By September 1531 she was residing in Enfield. While here, the following year 3 July 1533, Catherine was visited by Lord Mountjoy who told her that if she submits to Henry's wishes he will provide her, and Mary with an estate, but if she continues to refuse and fight Henry, things will turn badly for her, and their daughter. Catherine again refuses to stand down, this angered Henry and he orders she be sent to Bishop of Lincoln's Place, Buckden in Huntindonshire.
23 March 1534 Catherine was ordered to sign a new Act of Succession, this had removed Mary from the line - head over to -wednesdayshistory.blogspot.com/2020/04/mary-tudor.html- to read more about Mary's removal. Catherine once again refuses to sign this, which is an Act of Treason, and moves to Kimbolton Castle in fear of her and her daughters safety.
While here, she was attended by two of Henry's loyal subjects, Sir Edward Bedinfield and Sir Edward Chamberlain, they announced that while she resided there, she would have no visitors, other then those who have a special license by the King...
Catherine's final years would have been miserable, and lonely, even when she fell ill, Henry wouldn't let anyone visit her. Her Spanish Ambassador and friends begged, but each time he declined. It was only until December 1535, when Catherine was confined to bed with severe chest pains that Henry allowed Eustache Chapyus to visit her, but refused Mary to visit her...
Catherine sadly passed away on 7 January 1536, and was buried at Peterborough Abbey. Henry didn't attend the funeral, and it is unknown if he read the last letter Catherine wrote to him.
Some people speculate what killed Catherine, some say it was an unknown illness, some have claimed cancer, and some have even accused Anne Boleyn of poisoning her slowly over time - but if that was the case wouldn't have Henry done something sooner, considering how much he wanted her gone...?
Let me know what you think
Thank you for reading
Until next time...
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