Catherine held several records as Queen of England – the Queen most often married, and more important to her, the reigning Queen who survived marriage to Henry, and the first English Queen also to be Queen of Ireland. Only once…
Katherine Howard
Before the issue of Anna of Cleves was settled, Henry was falling passionately for one of Anna’s attendants, a young girl of uncertain birth date, and a poor relation of the powerful Howard family, in fact first cousin to Anne…
Anna of Cleves
To fill the vacancy at court, discussions were held regarding which princesses were available and what political benefits might be obtained. Henry is reputed to have suggested the cynical equivalent of a shape-up, all the potential princesses should be lined…
Jane Seymour
Jane is of particular importance to Hampton Court for it was here she gave birth to Henry’s only surviving male heir who was to become Edward VI. Distantly related to both King Henry and Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour represents another…
Anne Boleyn
Anne’s date of birth is remarkably uncertain, somewhere between 1501 and 1507. Her father, Thomas Boleyn, had been a peripatetic diplomat for both Henrys VII and VIII, was a linguist, and Anne followed in his footsteps. As a young girl…
Catherine of Aragon
Was she Catherine or Katherine? Confusing in any index, but in fact she was neither. In Spain she was baptised Catalina, not until after her first marriage in England did she call herself Katherine, or variations on that, but always…