Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon by Lisby –Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Catherine of Aragon

She was Queen of England from 1509 as the first wife of six till the time of her divorce from King Henry VIII OF England Catherine of Aragon was born on 16th December 1485, at the Archbishop’s Palace of Alcalá de Henares. She was the youngest child of King Ferdinand II OF Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castle. She was descended from an English royal house, the House of Lancaster.

Catherine was short in stature, a redhead with wide blue eyes, a round face, and a fair complexion.At a tender age, she was betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Arthur at the time was the heir to the English throne and Catherine was considered due to the English ancestry she inherited from her mother.

Catherine studied classical literature, genealogy, heraldry, history, philosophy, arithmetic, religion, theology, Canon, and civil law.Catherine of Aragon was extremely sought after among her subjects. Below are some astonishing facts about her:

1. Catherine Was Born To Influential Parents

She was the last of seven children born to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castle. Her parent’s marriage was based on the political unification of Spain. Catherine’s parents are known for succoring the 1492 voyage of Christopher Columbus that subsequently led to the discovery of the New World and the formation of Spain as the first global power.

Her elite lineage made Catherine an attractive prospect for betrothal across Europe and eventually to Arthur, Prince of Whales. This eventually led to a strong connection between Spain and England.

2. She Was Betrothed At The Age Of Three

Catherine was betrothed to Arthur, the eldest son of King Henry VII of England at the age of three even though he was a year younger. Arthur was the heir apparent to the English throne and took his rightful place at the age of five as the Prince of Wales. As soon as Catherine arrived in England on 2nd October 1501, Arthur became old enough thereafter to get married at 15.

They tied the knot at Old St Paul’s Cathedral in London on November 14th,1501. Catherine’s dowry was 200,000 crowns, half of which was paid on the marriage day. Unfortunately, a few months later the couple fell ill from an unknown contagious disease. This eventually led to the death of Arthur on 2nd April 1502 as Catherine recovered from it and became a widow at 16 years old. She got depressed and this situation after Author’s death took a toll on her.

To maintain the unifying aspect and avoiding to return Catherine’s dowry, Henry VII looked for all possibilities to keep her in the family going as far as considering marrying her himself.

3. She Became Queen After She Married Henry VIII

Catherine of Aragon by Joannes Corvus –Wikimedia Commons

After Arthur’s death, Catherine was supposed to go home though King Henry VII wanted to avoid paying the dowry back. Therefore, out of desperation as well as to maintain the alliance between the two families, Catherine of Aragon was betrothed to Prince Henry, Duke of York, and the second son to King Henry VII.

Henry VII died on 21st April 1509 and Prince Henry succeeded the throne as King Henry VIII. Catherine and Henry VIII tied the knot in a private ceremony on June 11, 1509. Catherine became the first of six wives of Henry VIII and earned the title of Queen. She was very popular with her subjects. Catherine was 23 at the time of her marriage while Henry was close to turning 18.

4. Catherine Of Aragon Endured A Series Of Miscarriages And Tragic Stillbirths

She got pregnant at least six times between 1510 and 1518 including two sons. Her only surviving child with Henry VIII was Mary with the rest either stillborn or died early into infancy. Catherine birthed a short-lived heir, Henry, Duke of Cornwall who shortly died after a few months after birth.

Catherine’s inability to birth an heir led to a strain in their marriage as Henry was desperate to have an heir. Henry had affairs outside their marriage leading to him marrying more wives and the annulment of their marriage.

5. She Is The First Female Ambassador

In 1507, she became the first female ambassador of the Spanish Court in England. This was a first in the entire European history. Catherine had a comprehensive educational background and made sure that she could offer the same opportunities to her only surviving daughter, Mary.

She took it upon herself to be responsible for it and went on to take instruction from the Renaissance humanist Juan Luis Vives. She became an early advocate for a woman’s right to education and in 1523 Catherine authorized Vives to produce a book The Education of a Christian Woman. The book advocated for education for all women regardless of ability or social status in the community.

6.Her Marriage To Henry VIII Was Annulled

Catherine of Aragon pleading her case with Henry VIII by Henry Nelson O’Neil – Wikimedia Commons

It was outright that Catherine would have no more children even though Henry was desperate to get an heir. He went on to ask Rome for an annulment on the basis that it was against Biblical law to marry his late brother’s wife. Catherine argued publicly that the marriage to Henry was not consummated and that she was a virgin when she married Henry.

The back and forth between England and Rome went on and the end of Henry’s tether came to be and he was, therefore, the head of his church in England. Therefore in 1533 a special court came together and declared the marriage between Catherine and Henry VIII illegal.

7. Catherine Of Aragon Served As England’s Regent

During Henry’s departure to France, he appointed Catherine as his regent in England during his absence. This depicted immense trust and shortly after the King’s departure, the Scots invaded England capturing several border castles. Despite being heavily pregnant, Catherine sent an army to stop the Scots and faced the tooths herself in full armor.

They were victorious and she sent King James IV of Scotland’s bloody shirt who had died in the combat to Henry in France with the news. Henry went on to use this as a banner at the siege of Tournai.

8. Catherine Of Aragon Was A Devout Catholic

She was a devout Catholic and during her time as queen, she created extensive programs for poor relief. This influenced her decision against her divorce. Henry’s decision to break with Rome was something Catherine was against even though she remained devout Catholic and loyal to the Pope and Rome.

She declared that she would continue to be addressed as Henry’s wife and England’s rightful queen. As a form of punishment, Henry denied her access to Mary until they recognized Anne Boleyn as Queen of England.

9. She Died Of Cancer

Catherine of Aragon Grave by Diliff- Wikimedia Commons

Catherine’s health deteriorated as she spent her years as a visual prisoner at Kimbolton Castle. Her death was caused by some sought of cancer. An autopsy showed a black growth on her heart.

10. Catherine Has Statues And Places Named In Her Honour

Statue of Catherine of Aragon by Richard Mortel – Wikimedia Commons

A statue of her holding a rose and a book is placed at her birthplace. Many places in Ampthill are named after Catherine and there is a cross named Queen Catherine’s Cross in Ampthill Great Park

Despite all the difficulties she went through, she had a strong spirit that helped her go through all the hardships.