Catherine Parr and King Henry VIII
She was born into a wealthy northern family in England, and would succumb to
four marriages throughout her life. Uprising and conflict though would always
intervene. But she spent most of her time in London. Sadness would come to her
on many occasions. And one day the king himself came calling. Yet threats of
prison and words of treason were never far away. But her religious beliefs
would help guide her through. We now look at the life of Catherine Parr.
Catherine Parr was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr and his wife, Maud Green an
English Courtier. She was also very friendly and Lady waiting to Catherine of
Aragon. Catherine's father was a descendant of Edward the third yet this
northern family would gain a greater significance over the coming years. Catherine
had a younger brother and sister William and Anne. Her father was close to Henry the
Eighth in which he had been significantly rewarded by the king. His several
positions included Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Master of the Wards, and not
forgetting Lord of Kendal. Her mother had been very close to Catherine of
Aragon, and it's thought Catherine gained her name from the Queen who was also her
godmother. Catherine was born in 1512 it's thoughts around August time. It is
disputed as to where she was born, some say at Kendal castle. However, others
doubt this as her mother Maud remained at Court during her pregnancy. It's unlikely
she would have travelled on a two week journey north to give birth. The castle
at Kendal was in quite a state of disrepair at the time. Another reason for
them to stay in London, as they had a private residence at Blackfriars. Sadly for
Catherine her father died when she was still relatively young, and it would be
her mother who would bring her up, but she did a great job. Catherine's education
was very similar to other children of the period. And still, her passion for
learning was gratifying, and she would continue to study throughout her life. She
was excellent at languages becoming proficient in French, Latin, and Italian.
She even learned Spanish after becoming Queen but some say she was not adept at
everything taught in those early years. Her hatred of sewing and needlework in
which she would explain to her mother "her hands were ordained to touch crowns
and sceptres not needles and spindles." Although this is purely mythical in its
origin. In 1529, when Catherine reached 17, she became married for the first time
Sir Edward Burgh was the man for her. He was in his 20's. Unfortunately, this
wouldn't be a happy ever after event. Edward suffered from ill health and
although he worked as a trustee and a justice of the peace to Thomas Kiddell,
just four years after the couple married, Edward died. He also never inherited
his father's title Baron Burgh. Catherine now widow would spend some time in the
company of the dowager Lady Strickland, Catherine Neville. She was the widow of
Catherine's cousins Sir Walter Strickland, and they would reside together at
Sizergh Castle in Westmoreland, now known as Cumbria. But one year on in 1534,
Catherine returned to the altar for her second marriage, this time to John
Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer. It quite possibly wasn't perfect. John was at the
time in a state of fiscal decay. He had no money! Mainly due to legal action, he
and his brothers took attempting to claim the title Earl of Warwick, but it was
slightly more of a win win situation aside for Katherine, she had now got a home
of her own a title and a husband with some influence in the northern counties.
What could go wrong? Catherine's husband was a supporter of the Catholic Church
And to this end, disputed Henry's right to an annulment against Catherine of
Aragon. In October of 1536, the northern uprising would be planted firmly on the
doorstep of his property. They came screaming and threatening violence if he
refused to join their growing band in reinstating the Catholic links between
England and Rome. Catherine could only watch in horror as they dragged her
husband away. She now lived alone and in fear. However, Catherine made one
choice that she thought would help her ongoing situation, but word had spread that
she was supportive of the Church of England, which went down with a public like
a lead balloon. In 1537, while she was staying at Snape Castle in Yorkshire,
rebels would infiltrate her space and hold her hostage. Her husband was told
that if he did not return immediately, his family would be killed. Luckily for
Catherine, when John did return, he somehow managed to get the rebels to step
down after I would imagine some lengthy negotiations. Still, it worked and the
Latimer's would now find themselves at least for the time being in a state of
calm. However, the King had heard about the troubles and word spread fast.
Latimer was held in conflicting reports, was he a conspirator or not? If the
latter was the case he would undoubtedly face execution.
Step forward, the Duke of Norfolk, Henry had engaged with him and asked for more
information. With one sure way to find out. Latimer must either praise Aske also
known as the villain of the peace or submit himself to clemency. John
Latimer did not fancy a close shave and wholeheartedly complied with the Kings wishes.
Latimer had managed to escape but his reputation fell somewhat short of
what had been gathered over previous years. Henry was very clever, he got what
he wanted, but he always wanted more. Cromwell would use Latimer over the coming
years, you could call it blackmail and no one would argue against it. But after
the demise of Cromwell, the Latimer's did eventually start to regain some
dignity. The sun was shining once again on this family. Visits were done,
Catherine to her brother and sister, her husband would even attend parliament.
The whole atmosphere was changing, not just on the outside world, but at Court to.
Let's now move forward to 1542, Lord Latimers' health started to
deteriorate and Catherine nursed him through until he died in 1543. For
Catherine, she was once again widowed. Still, she has something to fall back on
as her husband had left her the Manor of Stowe, along with some other properties.
As for money, it seems he had recovered from his earlier lack of, by leaving some
for the welfare and ongoing support of his daughter, and Catherine was allowed a
30 pound per year income. If her daughter would fail to marry within five years.
Catherine was now considered rich; she had for the first time scooped the medieval
lottery and was now on the way up the royal ladder. She now had new contacts, one
being the Lady Mary, a new vibrant friendship would develop between them and by
1543. Catherine was now part of Mary's household. It was at this moment that
Henry set eyes upon her, rubbing his hands. I'm guessing he thought she's the
next one for me. However, Catherine was a little besotted by another man, a
Sir Thomas Seymour. He was the brother of the late Queen, Jane Seymour. Sadly
for Thomas, he was shown the door the King had come knocking and nothing would
or could stop Catherine from agreeing to this call. Thomas, well, he was sent on
his merry way removed from court, and told to take a vacation in Brussels. The
12th of July 1543 was a big day for Catherine. She was married to Henry at
Hampton Court Palace. She was the first Queen of England to become queen of
Ireland after Henry adopted the title. But the couple also shared numerous
ancestors, which I'm sure was a riveting chat over dinner. The couple were
actually third cousins once removed, which is pretty distant in the themes of
ancestry. Catherine set to work on building her entourage now introducing her
former step-daughter Margaret Neville as her lady in waiting. She also gave her
stepsons wife Lucy Somerset a place around the table. Apart from this,
Catherine was considerably careful on how to manage her new life. She developed
a good relationship with Henry's son Edward and made explorative moves on
reconciliation between Henry and his daughters. Between July and September in
1544, Henry set out on what would be his last campaign, he left Catherine as
regent in a move that would truly help her develop into the role. Her council
was made up of sympathetic followers, making handling situations much more
comfortable. She virtually took control and led the way on most matters,
including provision, finance, and even signed royal proclamations while
maintaining a healthy contact with her husband. Just in case he might disagree.
All this power being played beautifully by Catherine, it is noted sometime late
that Elizabeth the first took much inspiration from Catherine and her strength of
character that would help define her own rule over the coming years. The one
thing that would always be discussed when Catherine's name was mentioned was her
religious beliefs. There was much speculation about who she actually concurred
with? Was she really a Protestant sympathiser? Who harboured secrets?
Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Wriothesley, who was the Lord
Chancellor had their doubts. Although brought up and once married to a Catholic
Catherine never lost her sympathies of a Protestant viewpoint. In the last few
years she had veered more towards 'the faith' introduced by Henry. I wonder why?
But by the middle of the 1540s, it said she was a protestant. This view was
seen in action after the death of Henry when she wrote a book entitled The
Lamentation of a Sinner. It's doubtful her views came to fruition in the last few
years of her marriage to Henry Catherine indeed held a sympathetic outlook to people
such as Anne Askew, who had died for her beliefs in opposition to Catholicism.
Stephen Gardiner and Lord Wriothesley would not go away. In 1546 they were now
hell bent on bringing down this woman.
They drew up an arrest warrant; not only that, but rumours were now flying around
the court that Henry was currently pursuing his lucky number seven This time
Catherine's close friend, the Duchess of Suffolk. Catherine was one step ahead;
she had seen the warrant. Instead of just capitulating in front of the King,
she gave him a full on verbal summary of her thoughts. She did argue that she
only came to a point of view to take pressure off the King, and to relax his
mind against the ongoing ulcerous leg, which had developed hugely and now constrained
most of his activity. The following day, an armed guard approached Catherine as
she was out for a walk with Henry. They were completely unaware of the talk the
couple had been having, and they were sent away in short thrift, as only Henry could do.
Now literally on his last legs, Henry decided that Catherine should
have a provision after his death, she was awarded 7000 pounds which should more
than take her mind off things. Henry also said that Catherine should be known as
Queen Dowager, and given respect as the Queen of England, even though he
wouldn't be around to oversee it. Catherine retired from Court after Edward was
pronounced King on the 31st of January 1547. She moved to the Old Manor in Chelsea.
What happened to Thomas Seymour, I hear you say, Well, after the
passing of Henry, Thomas resurfaced, he listened to the news and was chomping at
the bit to meet up with his previous love. Katherine was also getting excited at
this prospect, even though it's only been a few months since Henry's death. But
Thomas knew we would not be able to just turn up and marry Catherine. Council
would disapprove. Yet, what could this flourishing relationship do about it? Well,
they married in secret, and when news broke, it was on every front page of every
medieval tabloid. It was a massive risk they had undertaken and even the new
King Edward and Lady Mary were entirely against this duet. Thomas thought he
could help alleviate the problem by writing to Mary and asking her to intervene.
This was met with much hostility, Mary was not happy, and her fury was in
abundance. She claimed it was tasteless and refused any help. She even asked her
sister Elizabeth to have nothing to do with Catherine ever again. From being the
height of favour to once again a sedate pace through these turbulent times,
Catherine had problems with her brother in law, and it wasn't looking good.
Edward Seymour was not only the King's uncle, but Lord Protector. An ongoing
lull in friendliness between Catherine and Seymour's wife, her former lady in
waiting, Anne Seymour. Which brought to question Catherine's ownership of jewels
given to her by Henry. Anne said she should no longer be entitled to such things.
Only the wife of the protector should indeed be able to wear them. I'm guessing
Catherine had little care about the jewels. The Duchess won the argument.
However, it would lead to a lasting break within the Seymour family. Thomas
claimed it was a personal attack by his brother on him that had caused all
the friction and affected his and his wife's social standing.
How does one take
their mind off troubling family affairs, of course get pregnant! In March 1548,
Catherine was now 35. And if anything the pregnancy was certainly a surprise,
especially Catherine had never had any children throughout her life. And just
when you thought you'd hear the steps of tiny feet and a loving husband clearly
wanting to take care of his wife, it was discovered that Seymour was none of the
above. He was actually now seeking the services of Lady Elizabeth talk about
treading on eggshells. It was reported that Catherine had caught the two of them
embracing not a great sign. And according to one account by Kat Ashley, and
before this situation became any worse, Elizabeth was sent away to stay with
Sir Anthony Denny at Cheshunt. Elizabeth would never see her stepmother again,
although she tried by correspondance in putting the wrongs, right. By June 1548,
Catherine had moved to Sudeley Castle she was accompanied by Lady Jane Grey.
Catherine was to help educate her however, time was running out now for
Catherine and it would be her last summer of life. On the 30th of August 1548,
Catherine gave birth to a daughter she was called Mary Seymour, named after her
step daughter Mary. But sadness was closing in, and on 5 September
Catherine died. It's thought she had suffered from childbed fever, a common
illness that was mainly due to a lack of hygiene throughout childbirth. On the
seventh of September, Catherine would become the first Protestant burial held in
England. Her chief mourner was Lady Jane. Catherine was laid to rest within the
grounds of Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire. Her husband, Lord Thomas Seymour
was beheaded for treason on the 20th of March 1549. As for Mary, her daughter,
she was taken in by the Dowager Duchess of Suffolk, close friend of Catherine's,
and Catherine's jewels, clothing and private papers were all sent to the Tower
of London on the 20th of April 1549.
It ended up being a tragic end for Catherine she had come so far in her relatively
short life. She had seen the ups and downs of marriage, witness death and the
fragility of religion. Her finale was was cut short, yet however perilous life
could have been with Henry. Her influence and strategic mind brought her through
unscathed. This was a woman of sincerity, strength of character and clearly one
of the 'A' list celebrities of the day.