Catherine of Aragon
Born: 16th December 1485
Died: 7th January 1536
Buried: Peterborough Cathedral
Queen of England from 1509 - 1533
From an early age Catherine was destined to become Queen of England. Born to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, Catherine was betrothed to Henry's elder brother Arthur. The marriage was a short one, as Arthur died five months later. Following Arthur's death, Catherine spent the next eight years in England before marrying Henry.
By all accounts Catherine was a popular and successful Queen and a devoted wife to Henry. Sadly they lost their son Henry shortly after his birth, and Catherine had subsequent miscarriages. However, Catherine did give birth to a healthy baby girl, Mary who later went on to rule England from 1553 - 1558.
Catherine and Henry's marriage lasted 24 years before being annulled at Henry's request. Catherine died a few months before the fall of Anne Boleyn. Catherine is believed to have died of Cancer, and sadly after the marriage was annulled, she was not able to see her daughter Mary.
Catherine's life to me is a fascinating one, she seems to me to be a headstrong, intelligent, and loyal queen, however, her life was tainted with sadness with losing so many babies and her deep love of Henry.
Anne Boleyn
Born: believed to be around 1501
Died: May 1536
Buried: Church of St Peter ad Vincula
Queen of England from 1533 - 1536
Anne is to me a fascinating individual. Born to Thomas Boleyn and Lady Elizabeth Howard, she attracted the attention of the King and after six long years (and a break with the Catholic Church), they were married.
Their daughter Elizabeth, later Queen of England from 1558 - 1603 was born shortly after their marriage in September 1533. Anne suffered two miscarriages after the birth of Elizabeth.
Anne and henry's marriage lasted just three years, before Anne was sentenced to death on charges of adultery and witchcraft. Anne was beheaded on 19th May 1536, along with five other men, including her brother George. I can safely say neither Anne, nor those five others were guilty of these charges.
From what I understand, Henry and Anne's relationship was passionate and fiery. Anne, to me is a complex character (as is Henry), I will elaborate further in my post about Anne later.
Jane Seymour
Born: 1508
Died: October 1537
Buried: St Georges Chapel, Windsor
Queen of England from 1536 - 1537
Jane is quite possibly the queen that is known the littlest about. A lady in waiting to both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, Jane also caught the Kings eye and went on to become his wife. Jane was the complete opposite to Anne in temperament, which may have been refreshing for Henry considering his relationship with Anne was turbulent.
Jane gave birth to Edward on 12th October 1537. Edward went on to become King of England 1547 - 1553. Jane died shortly after Edwards birth at Hampton Court Palace, it is believed that Jane died as a result of an infection, perhaps sustained from a tear during labour.
There does not seem to be a great deal of information on Jane herself, it was said that she was no great beauty. However, she was pivotal in repairing the relationship between Henry and his daughter Mary. I see Jane as a peacemaker (as was Catherine Parr) with Henry and his daughters, some say that Jane had no agenda with Henry, but others say she was equally ambitious in marrying Henry and becoming queen.
Anne of Cleves
Born: September 1515
Died: July 1557
Buried: Westminster Abbey
Queen of England from January 1940 - July 1940
Anne faired the best to some degree from all of Henry's wives, however she was I think humiliated in the process. The marriage was arranged without the couple meeting beforehand and Anne quickly learnt that Henry did not approve of her.
I think for anyone to be told that they physically repel someone is a huge insult and can only be taken to heart. Anne however dealt with this and was rewarded generously.
The marriage was very short by anyone's standards, and no children came, but Anne remained a friend of the King and his children until her death in 1557.
Anne to me is a likeable person, but who also has a fascinating story to tell.
Catherine Howard
Born: 1520
Died: November 1541
Buried: Church of St Peter ad Vincula
Queen of England from July 1540 - November 1541
Catherine was a lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves and also married to Henry for a short time. Catherine bore Henry no children, and from all accounts Henry was smitten with her.
However, Catherine was unfaithful to Henry and also not a virgin prior to their marriage. this humiliated Henry and as a result Catherine was beheaded along with her previous lover Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper, who she had committed adultery with.
Catherine in my opinion was a young girl who was a little foolish, and it cost her dearly. There are many factors to consider with Catherine's adultery, the main one being that she was married to a man she may not have considered physically attractive.
Catherine was Anne Boleyn's cousin, but did not have the same privileged upbringing. I will go into more detail at a later stage.
Catherine Parr
Born: 1512
Died: September 1548
Buried: Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
Queen of England from July 1543 - January 1547
Catherine differs from Henry's other wives in that she had been married twice before, to Sir Edward Bugh (from 1929 - 1933), and John Neville, third Baron Latimer (1534 - 1543). Catherine was widowed following both marriages.
Catherine was a loyal wife to Henry and played a large part in reconciling Henry with both his daughters. Catherine was a reformer and this it is said almost cost her her life.
Catherine and Henry had no children, but were married until Henry's death. Catherine later went on to marry Jane Seymour's brother Thomas until her death in 1548.
Catherine to me is also a very likeable character, however I find her life to have been a sad one in places.
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