Catherine Howard (c. 1523–13 February 1542), also spelled Katheryn, was Henry's fifth wife, between 1540 and 1542. She was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard and Joyce Culpeper, cousin to Anne Boleyn, second cousin to Jane Seymour, and niece to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. She was raised in the household of her step-grandmother Agnes Howard, Duchess of Norfolk. Her uncle the Duke of Norfolk was a prominent politician at Henry's court; and he secured her a place in the household of Henry's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, in 1540, where Catherine caught the King's interest. She married him on 28 July 1540 at Oatlands Palace in Surrey, just 19 days after the annulment of his marriage to Anne. He was 49, and she was still a teenager, probably aged around 17.

What were your initial thoughts about e-publishing? Was it your idea or your publisher's? Were you hesitant? Excited? Apprehensive? Optimistic? Fill in the blank? Have those initial thoughts changed now that you've done it? Catherine was effectively held a prisoner with little money to her name while the issue was debated. But in 1507, six years after Arthur’s death, she became the ambassador of the Aragonese Crown to England.The story of Henry's wives has been told many times, but Alisin Weir makes a lively tale of it without becoming simplistic or sentimental." ( The Irish Times) Almost a year and a half after marriage, Jane gave birth to a male heir, Edward, but then died twelve days later from postpartum complications. Jane was the only wife to receive a royal burial. When Henry died, he chose to be buried next to her in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. It is unclear if this decision was purely sentimental or a political signal designed to reinforce the legitimacy of his youthful heir, Edward; or both of those. Quarterly, 1st and 4th grand quarter; Quarterly, Gules, a castle Or ( Castile), Argent, lion rampant Purpure ( León). Betrothed at the age of three to Arthur, Henry’s older brother and the heir apparent to the English throne, her position became uncertain when, in 1502, her husband died just five months into their marriage. Did you know? An accomplished musician, Henry VIII of England wrote a song entitled "Pastime With Good Company" that was popular throughout Renaissance Europe.

Smith, Claire, and Dan Nuttall. “Move Me On.” Teaching History, no. 142, 2011, pp. 56–59. JSTOR, JSTOR 43260439. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023.Jane was never crowned. Her coronation was postponed because of plague in London and a rebellion in the north. When she tried, on her knees, to intercede for the rebels, Henry told her to get up and attend to other things, and brutally reminded her that his last Queen had died as a result of meddling too much in state affairs. Jane took this warning to heart, and never again interfered in politics, thus marital harmony was restored. Next in line to marry King Henry VIII was young Kathryn Howard– lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves and first cousin to Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. By the time they married in July 1540, Henry was 49 years old, overweight and unable to walk, and Kathryn a lively teenager. Delighted with his new wife, Henry is said to have spoilt Kathryn with gifts and called her his “rose without a thorn”. But trouble lay ahead for Kathryn – two years into their marriage, she was accused of being unfaithful to the king. Her fate..? Beheaded!

It's often forgotten that Katherine of Aragon was Henry's queen for over half of his reign (24 years in all), whereas most of her successors enjoyed their position on the throne beside Henry for a matter of a few years or even months. Katherine was a popular queen, with deeply-held religious principles, and 'set a high moral tone for her household'. Unusually for the time, she was literate, well-read and versed in the scriptures.

5. Catherine Howard

Hanson, Marilee (31 January 2015). "Katherine Parr – Facts, Information, Biography & Portraits". English History . Retrieved 23 September 2018.