Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon was born in Spain in 1485. She was the daughter of Queen Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Born and christened “Catalina,” she started spelling her name “Katherine” when she left for England, although the most common way of spelling her name is “Catherine”. She is most known for her marriage to Henry VIII and for being his first wife, whose marriage helped unite their kingdoms, but she was underestimated by everyone around her.

From an early age, Catherine’s mother encouraged her daughters to be educated, which was uncommon for that time. Catherine learned Latin and other languages, which helped build her reputation for intelligence. At this young age, Catherine’s family was heavily involved in politics, and it had been decided that Catherine was going to be married to Arthur, Prince of Wales to help form alliances for her country. At the age of fifteen, in 1501, Catherine left Spain to marry Prince Arthur. Catherine and Arthur had met only once before their wedding day. On November 14 th , 1501, the two were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral. A week of celebrations followed their wedding. Five months passed, and Catherine was learning how to become the future Queen, when Arthur died from an illness, leaving Catherine a widow.

After Arthur’s death, England turned their attention to the new heir, Prince Henry, Prince Arthur’s younger brother. Catherine was expected to continue to take the spot as the future queen and many insisted on her marrying her brother-in-law. During this time, after Arthur died and before she married Henry (while she waited for Prince Henry to come of marrying age), Spain struggled with money and political changes, as well as the death of Queen Isabella, Catherine’s mother. These struggles led Henry VII to search for other women to marry Prince Henry.

Luckily for Catherine and Spain, who still wanted an alliance with England, Henry VII died on April 21 st , 1509. This allowed his son to become King Henry VIII, because he was now of age, and Catherine was chosen as his Queen.

Catherine and Henry lived happily together for more than twenty years. Catherine was respected in England and had even served as Queen consort when Henry was away during war. Henry and Catherine struggled to have children but eventually gave birth to Princess Mary (Mary I of England). Although it was expected for a male heir to be born, Catherine and Henry never had a son together.

Throughout their marriage, Henry had multiple mistresses. But one woman, Anne Boleyn, caught Henry’s eye the most. Anne did not want anything but marriage and refused to have a relationship with the King. King Henry, determined to be with Anne, attempted to split from Catherine. Divorce was uncommon at this time, and the only way for this to happen was to prove that Catherine’s marriage to Arthur had been invalid. Catherine, desperate to remain queen and keep her only daughter safe, claimed that she was only true to Henry. When the King’s request for an annulment was declined by the pope, Henry broke ties with Rome and named himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. He exiled Catherine and never allowed her to see Princess Mary again.

For 20 years, Catherine wrote letters trying to prove that she still possessed the position as queen, but Henry was already married to pregnant Anne Boleyn, now the queen. Catherine never saw her daughter again and did not become queen again. She died from cancer at fifty years of age.

Catherine of Aragon was an incredibly strong woman who endured many challenges during her lifetime. Her time as queen was spent helping her people and even after she was exiled, she did everything in her power to gain her position back. She was a powerful, strong woman who faced her trials with grace and left a behind a legacy of strength and dignity.

“I choose what I believe, and say nothing. For I am not as simple as I seem.” - Catherine of Aragon