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| Katherine of Aragon 1502 |
This Spanish Infanta, born on 15-16 of December 1485 , was the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who were famous for funding Christopher Columbus' expeditions. In an effort to establish congenial ties and resistance against the French, and after many months of negotiations, Katherine was promised to King Henry VII's son Arthur at the age of two. From a very young age she had been brought up knowing that she would one day be Queen of England.
Using a proxy in Katherine's place, the couple was formally betrothed in August of 1497, Katherine was twelve. However, it wasn't until October 2nd 1500 when Katherine finally arrived in England, by then Arthur was fourteen years old and Katherine just fifteen. Arthur was immediately taken with his new bride, she had glorious hip length reddish-golden hair and beautiful blue eyes. Unfortunately Arthur died shortly thereafter, never consummating the marriage due to his weak constitution.
Not knowing what to do with Katherine, King Henry VII decided it was best for her to marry his new heir Henry, six years Katherine's junior. This match would not only keep peace between England and Spain, but would also guarantee further payments of Catherine's dowry, which was quite substantial. Once again negotiations began, and after four years were finally agreed upon. It was a difficult time for Katherine who was living under the King's miserly and humiliating conditions.
At one point during the negotiations, and shortly after the death of Elizabeth King Henry's wife, it was suggested by Spain's second ambassador to England, Dr De Puebla, that the king should marry Katherine. Isabella and Ferdinand were very much against this match, realizing that all this marriage would have to offer was a short stint as queen and a long reign of widowhood. The marriage between Henry Prince of York and Katherine eventually manifested on June 25th 1503. It was a marriage of chivalry, love and mutual respect.
Katherine miscarried numerous times yet could not produce a male heir. They did, however, have one surviving child Mary, who took her rightful place as Queen soon after the "Nine-Days Queen," Lady Jane Grey, was beheaded. The people of England did not appreciate being ruled by a female, thus the need for a male child was extremely important for Henry.
After meeting the coy Anne Boleyn, Henry soon wanted a divorce. Henry was by then forty-two years old and the need for a son was urgent; it was obvious to Henry and the nation that Katherine was unable to produce an heir. Henry, being newly in love, was determined to divorce Katherine but the Catholic Church, not wanting to offend Katherine's nephew Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor,) would not grant it.
Although Henry tried to claim that his marriage to Katherine was unlawful in the eyes of God since he married his brother's widow, but the Church would not consent. Katherine was very much against the divorce, not only because of her pious Catholic upbringing, but also because Mary would lose her place as heir to the throne. Her obstinancy with regards to the divorce unintentionally brought about the Reformation of England.
After six years of waiting in vain, and keeping his pregnant mistress Anne on a string, Henry took matters into his own hands by breaking ties with the Catholic Church and assigned himself as Head of the Church of England. To say the least, England made many enemies with this bold and daring move; Henry almost brought his island nation to war because of his actions.
Katherine, in the meantime, fought tooth and nail against the divorce even beseeching her husband on her knees in front of a packed courtroom. Her bemoaning fell on deaf ears for Henry was determined to divorce his virtous wife. Although she was a woman of strong principles and high morals, Katherine was also very tenacious in her divorce battle, even going so far as ignoring repeated citations that she appear in court.
Eventually the annulment was granted in the eyes of England. Katherine was no longer considered the Queen of England, but was to be known as the Princess Dowager. She was thereafter consigned to broken down and damp castles living in virtual povery. She was also forbidden to communicate with her husband and granted visitation with Mary on occassion. Throughout the years Katherine not only swore that she was a virgin when she married Henry, but that she was his one true wife.
Katherine died on January 7th 1536, shortly after her 50th birthday, the epitome of her personal motto: "Humble and Loyal."
Katherine of Aragon's signature
Katherine of Aragon wax effigy
A lot of women have respected Catherine of Aragon. She is always shedded with the same favorable light due to her virtue, strength and faith. The annulment episode was her most challenging time.
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