The Life of Catherine of Aragon

by Siwoo Park, age 12

Intelligent, stubborn, and wronged, Catherine of Aragon was Henry VIII's first wife and one of many influences that dramatically changed Henry's religious beliefs and perspective of marriage. She was an agent of both change and drama, as she was dragged into the matter of Henry VIII’s desires.

Catherine of Aragon was born on December 16, 1485, in Spain. She was the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castille. As Isabella wished, all her children, including Catherine, were well-educated. Catherine studied Catholic literature to learn Latin and other modern languages.

When Catherine was a child, her parents wanted to ally with England, specifically Henry VII. Both monarchs arranged her marriage to the oldest son of Henry VII, Prince Arthur of Wales. In 1501, Catherine set sail to England alone at 15.

Catherine married Arthur in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Nov. 14, 1501. Although they had only briefly met, Catherine settled into her new position as the future king's wife. Unfortunately, Arthur died of an illness after a few months of their marriage, leaving Catherine a widowed teenager.

After Arthur’s tragic fate, the Spanish royalty still desired an alliance with England. The royalty then turned to Arthur’s ten10-year-old younger brother, Henry VIII, as Catherine’s next potential husband. Henry VIII was technically Catherine’s brother-in-law, but Catherine and her attendants convinced the Pope to marry them as she had not consummated her relationship with Arthur. Catherine just had to wait until Henry came of age.

It was hard for Catherine to wait for Henry. She lived in England on a limited allowance and wrote to her parents, saying she was isolated and mistreated. Catherine’s father hadn't fully paid her dowry to Arthur, so she couldn’t claim money from his land to support her and her household. Catherine was planning on leaving, but after Henry VII’s death, Henry VIII –now 17– was the new king. Henry chose his wife, Catherine of Aragon, who was now 24 years old, as his queen. Some say it was his father’s dying wish, but others speculate Henry loved her.

Catherine was intelligent and strong-willed; she was devoted to Henry as much as he was to her. As a highly respected queen, Catherine’s popularity began to rise. As such, Henry could rely on Catherine to act as regent while fighting a battle in France. Catherine was also a skilled commander, winning the Battle of Flodden in Scotland. Catherine was a decisive battle leader and an entertaining hostess who amused the finest people.

Like her mother, Catherine cherished education and supported institutions like Queen's College Cambridge and was admired and beloved by scholars. Despite this much effort, she still disappointed Henry as she didn’t provide him with a male heir. Her daughter, Mary, was her only child and survived to adulthood. Although Henry and Catherine’s marriage was good, he had many mistresses. One day, he saw Anne Boleyn of France, who eventually became Henry's reason for seeking to divorce Catherine.

Catherine and Henry’s divorce was highly complex and became a nationwide scandal. Citing theological books, literature, and the Bible, Henry went through everything he could to declare that his marriage was invalid. Catherine objected to Henry’s argument, saying she was “his real wife,” the Pope agreed with Catherine’s reasoning. Her nephew, Charles V, was the powerful Holy Roman Emperor and supported Catherine’s cause. In his frustration, he split with the Catholic faith. Eventually, he and his advisor contrived a successful case and won, which allowed him to divorce Catherine.

Although Catherine could have easily prevented the divorce, Henry's story was more powerful than her argument. Although Catherine looks like a tragic figure, she is a strong-willed person who fought bitterly for her status and changed the course of history forever.

[Source: Hampton Court Palace]