Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon (16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was the first wife of Henry VIII of England and the daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Her marriage to Henry VIII was a significant political alliance between England and Spain, but it ultimately ended in divorce, leading to the English Reformation.

Early Life

Catherine was born on 16 December 1485 in the Archbishop's Palace of Alcalá de Henares near Madrid, Spain. She was the youngest surviving child of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Her early education was comprehensive, including subjects such as religion, Latin, and the arts, which were typical for a princess of her standing.

Marriage to Arthur, Prince of Wales

In 1501, Catherine married Arthur, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Henry VII of England. The marriage was part of a political alliance between England and Spain. However, Arthur died in 1502, just a few months after their marriage, leaving Catherine a widow.

Marriage to Henry VIII

After Arthur's death, Catherine was betrothed to his younger brother, Henry VIII of England. They married on 11 June 1509, shortly after Henry ascended to the throne. Catherine was crowned queen consort on 24 June 1509.

Issue

Catherine and Henry had several children, but only one survived infancy, Mary, who later became queen regnant. The lack of a male heir was a significant issue for Henry, leading to his desire to annul the marriage.

Annulment and the English Reformation

Henry VIII sought an annulment of his marriage to Catherine, claiming that it was invalid because she had been married to his brother Arthur. The Pope refused to grant the annulment, leading Henry to break from the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Church of England. This event was a key moment in the English Reformation.

Later Life and Death

After the annulment, Catherine was referred to as the Dowager Princess of Wales. She lived in relative isolation until her death on 7 January 1536 at Kimbolton Castle. She was buried in Peterborough Cathedral.

Legacy

Catherine of Aragon is remembered for her piety, dignity, and the significant role she played in the political and religious upheavals of her time. Her daughter, Mary I of England, became the first queen regnant of England.

See Also

• Henry VIII of England
• Mary I of England
• English Reformation
• Isabella I of Castile
• Ferdinand II of Aragon

External Links

• Catherine of Aragon on Britannica