Catharine of Aragon: Henry Viii’s First Wife

Catharine of Aragon was initially married to Arthur Tudor, Henry VIII’s older brother, however he died of the sweating sickness within six months of the marriage. One of the reasons Henry VIII wanted a divorce is because he believed that his marriage to Catharine was wrong due to her marriage to his brother, however was the six months enough time for the two to consumate their marriage when both were ill?

Henry VIII’s Break from Rome

Henry had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn around 1527, and around that time, Catharine had gotten to an age where she could have no more children. Henry believe that this was punishment for marrying a woman that she should not have, and looked to the papal authority for a divorce.

The divorce was not granted, partially because Catharine stood up in court and swore that the marriage between herself and Arthur had never been consumated. She was a virgin on her wedding night with Henry. Henry had to look for other means to remove Catharine and, with some help from Anne Boleyn, made the move to break away from Rome and create a Lutheran state, similar to Germany at the time.

By 1533, Henry had passed all of the acts he needed that meant England was no longer answerable to Rome. Henry divorced Catharine and married Anne Boleyn.

Catharine of Aragon’s Final Years

Catharine was asked to submit to Henry’s will; if she did that then he would provide generously for her. Catharine was stripped of her title The Queen of England and instead given the Princess Dowager of Wales, a title that she would have been given after Arthur’s death.

Catharine refused to swear to the Oath of Succession since she believed herself to the be the true Queen of England and wife of Henry VIII, not Anne Boleyn. She also did not believe anybody other than the Pope could be head of the church, something that the reformation had made Henry head of.

Catharine lived the final three years of her life with her funds depleted, presumably because she did not submit to Henry’s will. She never saw her daughter and was constantly ill. She even had to write to her nephew, the King of Spain, to send her money to pay her servants and constantly mentioned that she feared for her life; she truely believed that Anne Boleyn would try to kill her.

Catharine died in 1536, just a few months earlier than Anne Boleyn was executed, however her own daughter was not allowed to attend her funeral.

Had Catharine agreed with Henry, allowed him to divorce her peacefully and recognised Anne as his new wife and queen, Catharine would have probably lived the rest of her years with no money worries and would have been able to see her daughter; which may have helped with her health. This was seen years later when Anne of Cleves agreed to the annulment of her marriage to Henry after just six months. However, it is possible that Catharine was telling the truth the entire time and really did love Henry, rather than love the title she had.

She was a favourite of the English people and was much loved by them.

Sources:

1. The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir, Vintage Books, 2007