Catherine of Aragon

NAME Catherine of Aragon

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Catherine of Aragon is best known as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and the mother of Queen Mary I. Her marriage and subsequent annulment played a pivotal role in the English Reformation, which led to the establishment of the Church of England.

BIRTH Catherine of Aragon was born on December 16, 1485, at the Archbishop's Palace of Alcalá de Henares near Madrid, Spain. She was the youngest surviving child of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Catherine was born into one of the most powerful royal families in Europe. Her parents, Ferdinand and Isabella, were the Catholic Monarchs who unified Spain and sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Catherine was the youngest daughter in a family that included other influential figures such as her sisters, Queen Isabella of Portugal and Queen Joanna of Castile.

CHILDHOOD Catherine’s early years were marked by her parents’ ambitious plans for their children’s marriages, which were intended to strengthen Spain's political alliances. At just three years old, Catherine was betrothed to Prince Arthur, heir to the English throne, as part of a diplomatic alliance between Spain and England.

Portrait by Juan de Flandes thought to be of 11-year-old Catherine. 

EDUCATION Catherine received an exceptional education for a woman of her time. Her tutor, Alessandro Geraldini, taught her a wide range of subjects, including arithmetic, canon and civil law, classical literature, genealogy, heraldry, history, philosophy, religion, and theology. Catherine was fluent in Spanish and Latin, and she also learned to speak French and Greek. She was well-versed in domestic skills such as cooking, embroidery, and weaving, and she was trained in music, dancing, drawing, and court etiquette.

CAREER RECORD Catherine's life as a royal consort was marked by her marriage to Prince Arthur in 1501, but his death just five months later left her in a precarious position. She remained in England and eventually married Arthur's younger brother, Henry VIII, in 1509. As Queen of England, Catherine played an active role in diplomatic matters and was highly regarded for her piety and commitment to her religious duties.

APPEARANCE Catherine was described as being quite short in stature, with long red hair, wide blue eyes, a round face, and a fair complexion. Her appearance was typical of the beauty standards of her time, and she was considered attractive in her youth.

Portrait by Lucas Horenbout, c. 1525

FASHION Catherine’s fashion sense was reflective of her Spanish heritage, often wearing elaborate gowns with intricate embroidery. She favored traditional Spanish styles but adapted to English fashion after her marriage. As a queen, she dressed in the finest materials, befitting her royal status.

CHARACTER Catherine was known for her strong will, piety, and devotion to her religious beliefs. Her deep sense of duty and her determination to uphold her rights as queen and wife were evident throughout her life, particularly during the period of her annulment.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Catherine possessed a sharp intellect and enjoyed the company of learned individuals. Her letters suggest she appreciated wit and had a lively, engaging personality.

RELATIONSHIPS In August 1501, the fifteen-year-old Catherine of Aragon departed from A Coruña, Spain, to marry Prince Arthur, the heir to the English throne. She arrived in England on November 4th and met Arthur at Dogmersfield in Hampshire. Despite having corresponded in Latin, the couple struggled to communicate due to differences in pronunciation. They were married ten days later, on November 14th, at Old St. Paul's Cathedral.

Arthur was sent to Ludlow Castle to preside over the Council of Wales and the Marches, and Catherine accompanied him. Unfortunately, a few months later, both Arthur and Catherine became ill, possibly with the sweating sickness. Arthur died on April 2, 1502, leaving Catherine a widow at the age of sixteen.

After Arthur's death, Catherine remained in England, virtually penniless. On June 11, 1509, she married Henry VIII, Arthur's younger brother. Their wedding was a low-key affair, held privately at Greenwich Palace followed by a mass at the Observant Friars.

Catherine gave birth to a daughter, Mary, in 1516. However, she was unable to produce a male heir despite several subsequent pregnancies, including four miscarriages and stillbirths. 

Catherine's marriage to Henry VIII was initially strong, but it deteriorated due to her inability to provide a male heir. In 1531 she was banished from court and after Henry received the decree of nullity from Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, two years later, he remarried Anne Boleyn. 

She had a close relationship with her daughter, Mary, and was deeply involved in her upbringing.

MONEY AND FAME As a princess of Spain and queen of England, Catherine was one of the most famous women of her time. Her dowry and the wealth she brought to her marriages were significant, but after Arthur's death, she lived in relative poverty until her marriage to Henry VIII.

FOOD AND DRINK Catherine's diet likely reflected the typical royal fare of the time, with a focus on meats, bread, and wine. There are few specific records of her preferences, but her Spanish heritage might have influenced her tastes. She would have had access to a variety of wines and ales.

MUSIC AND ARTS Catherine was trained in music and dance, and she supported the arts during her time as queen. Her court was known for its cultural refinement.

LITERATURE Catherine was well-read and had a love for classical literature. Erasmus, a prominent humanist scholar, praised her for her literary knowledge. She was familiar with the works of the Church Fathers and other religious texts, which influenced her strong Catholic faith.

NATURE Catherine enjoyed the gardens and grounds of royal palaces. 

PETS  There are no detailed records of Catherine having pets, but it was common for royalty to keep dogs and other animals as companions.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Catherine enjoyed activities such as embroidery and needlework, which were common pastimes for women of her status. Notably, she also wrote to Cardinal Wolsey about being "busy with the golfe," making her the first recorded woman in England to mention the sport of golf.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Catherine’s education included arithmetic, and she had a keen interest in various subjects, though there are no specific records of her involvement in scientific pursuits.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Catherine was deeply religious, adhering strictly to Roman Catholicism. Her education included theology and philosophy, and she was known for her piety and devotion to her faith. She was a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis and integrated her religious duties with her role as queen.

POLITICS Catherine was actively involved in the politics of her time, particularly in matters concerning Spain and England. She served as regent in Henry VIII’s absence and was highly regarded for her political acumen. Her marriage and its annulment had profound political implications, leading to England's break from the Catholic Church.

SCANDAL The most significant scandal in Catherine's life was the annulment of her marriage to Henry VIII. Henry's desire for a male heir and his infatuation with Anne Boleyn led to his seeking an annulment, which Catherine steadfastly opposed. The annulment ultimately led to the English Reformation.

MILITARY RECORD Catherine played a role in the military history of England when she served as regent during Henry VIII’s campaign in France. In 1513, she was in charge when the English defeated the Scots at the Battle of Flodden, and she sent Henry a piece of the bloodied coat of the Scottish king as a trophy.

REIGN Catherine of Aragon was a woman caught between two eras. Betrothed to Arthur, the heir apparent to the English throne, at the tender age of three, her life was a whirlwind of royal intrigue and political maneuvering. When Arthur tragically died, Catherine found herself in a precarious position, a foreign princess in a strange land. Undeterred, she not only survived but thrived, becoming the first known female ambassador in European history and later marrying Henry VIII.

Her reign as Queen of England was marked by both triumph and tragedy. She played a pivotal role in the English victory over the Scots at the Battle of Flodden, delivering a stirring speech that inspired her troops. However, her greatest challenge came when Henry, infatuated with Anne Boleyn, sought to annul their marriage. Catherine refused to accept his authority and fought valiantly to maintain her position as queen.

Despite her exile and the devastating loss of her title, Catherine remained a beloved figure. Her compassion for the poor and her patronage of Renaissance humanism earned her the respect of many, even those who opposed her cause. Her life was a testament to her resilience, her intelligence, and her unwavering spirit. As her daughter Mary ascended the throne, Catherine's legacy lived on, a reminder of a woman who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on history.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Catherine suffered from numerous health issues, particularly related to childbirth. She experienced multiple miscarriages and stillbirths, and her health declined significantly after her separation from Henry VIII. In her later years, she fasted frequently and wore a hair shirt as part of her religious devotion, which likely contributed to her weakened state.

HOMES Throughout her life, Catherine lived in various royal residences, including Greenwich Palace and the Tower of London. After her marriage to Henry VIII, she resided in several of the king’s palaces. Following her separation from Henry, she was moved to various residences including Kimbolton Castle, where she spent the last years of her life.

TRAVEL Catherine traveled from Spain to England as a young bride-to-be. Her journey across Europe to meet her future husband, Prince Arthur, was a significant event, and her arrival in England was met with great fanfare. After Arthur's death, she remained in England for the rest of her life.

DEATH Catherine of Aragon died on January 7, 1536, at Kimbolton Castle after three years of lonely banishment. She remained steadfast in her faith and refused to acknowledge the annulment of her marriage. She was buried in Peterborough Cathedral with the honors due to a Dowager Princess of Wales, not as a queen. Henry VIII did not attend her funeral and forbade their daughter, Mary, from attending.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Catherine of Aragon has been portrayed in numerous films, television series, and books, often depicted as a tragic and pious figure. Her story is a central part of the narrative in works about the Tudor period, including novels like The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory and TV series such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Tudors.

ACHIEVEMENTS Catherine's most significant achievement was her role as queen and her steadfast defense of her marriage and her daughter’s rights. Her piety and moral conviction left a lasting impact on England, particularly through her daughter, Queen Mary I, who sought to restore Catholicism in England during her reign.