Thursday, September 6, 2007
Okay! Back to Henry VIII and his six wives. Let’s begin at the beginning with wife #1: Katherine of Aragon (sometimes spelled “Catherine”).
Katherine of Aragon in her later years, via NPG London via TudorHistory.org
Henry was devoted to Katherine for a long time (he had very few mistresses for a king) despite the fact that a number of pregnancies resulted in only one child who lived past infancy: Princess Mary. But Katherine was six years older than Henry and there came a time when he felt she looked old and unattractive, plus she was clearly past child-bearing years. Mistress Anne Boleyn caught his eye, and he started dreaming about a new marriage to a younger woman who would produce a bunch of boys. His efforts to divorce Katherine led to England’s split from the Roman Catholic Church.
Anne Boleyn, the other woman
The coronation of Henry and Katherine via Cambridge University Library via TudorHistory.org
Prolific historical fiction writer Jean Plaidy wrote three novels on Katherine of Aragon, which are now available in one volume. Some of Plaidy’s writing can be stilted, but the Aragon series really brings the characters to life.
Other reading suggestions include The Spanish Bride by Laurien Gardner and The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon by J.A. Froude.
Katherine held out against Henry till the day she died, refusing to accept the divorce or any title besides queen, and holding fast to the Roman church. Henry punished her by housing her in drafty, uncomfortable palaces and separating her from her daughter and attendants. These experiences ruined the physical and emotional health of her daughter Mary, whose reign was a failure as a result. Might it have been better for Katherine to compromise for the sake of her daughter? You can tell me what you think after you read the books.
I’ve only read the Gregory out of the books you mentioned and really enjoyed it. I’ve always found Katherine to be the saddest of his wives…
Lately I’m obsessed with the Mary question. I guess you’re right…Katherine was the saddest. I would suggest that Anne B. was the sexiest, Jane was the most manipulated, Anne C. was the smartest, Katherine Howard was the dumbest, and Katherine Parr was the luckiest.
Love Euro history! I am totally printing this post out to take with me the next time I go to the books store!
@Valley Girl…oh good, I’m glad this was helpful. I had trouble writing this one and worried it was too long and boring. Something about the Tudors overwhelms me
Great post! I never knew anything about these ladies before. Thanks for sharing!
nice post.
i was reading the book by david starkey about a year ago but i could not get through it. i am kind of OCD about finishing books that i start so i am sure i will get back it sometime soon.
Yesterday, I took out Kristin L. from the library and am very looking forward to it. Gruff librarian with a heart of gold said it looked interesting. (All of my librarians have easy descriptions, so when I am telling a story to my bf, he’ll know who I am speaking of. See also: Cool Surfer Librarian, Faintly British-Accented Librarian that You saw at Grocery Store that Night, and Lonely Librarian who is almost as sad as Katherine.
Anyhow, right on with your attribute list.
LOL @ librarian labels!
It always brings a bit of fresh air to read something apart from the current fashion stuff.
I happen to live not so far away from a famous castle from the catholic kings era… I have to upload some of the pics I’ve taken during past visits…