She was, in the words of historian John Edwards, Henry VIIIs greatest queen. But though Catherine of Aragons marriage to the Tudor king lasted 24 yearscollectively, his five other marriages spanned just 14 yearsshe has long been overshadowed by her successors. The daughter of Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catherine came to England as the bride of Henrys older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales. According to 17th-century chronicler William Drummond, the pregnant Scottish queen pleaded with her husband to desist, noting that he was poised to fight a mighty people, now turned insolent by their riches at home and power abroad. But James, buoyed by the possibility of conquest (and of dealing a blow to his egotistical brother-in-law), refused. For all my other servants, I solicit the wages due to them, and a year or more, lest they be unprovided for. Was this because she was lying? Catherine led an effort to recruit soldiers across England; allocated money for supplies; and planned a battlefield strategy. She began by emphasizing Floddens significance, writing, [T]o my thinking this battle hath been to your grace, and all your realm, the greatest honour that could be, and more than should you win all the crown of France. As one might expect of such a deeply religious individual, the queen proceeded to thank God for the victoryand subtly remind Henry to do the same. "Flodden," the second episode of The Spanish Princess's second season, showcases Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope) in her element. She's both warrior and queen, fulfilling her desire to be a military leader and her duty to bear an heir. My heart is very good to it," Catherine wrote in an 1813 letter to Thomas Wolsey, who was with Henry VIII in France at the time. For seven years the pope avoided issuing the annulment because he could not alienate Catherines nephew, the Holy Roman emperor Charles V. Finally Henry separated from Catherine in July 1531. During that time, the English won the Battle of Flodden, with Catherine taking an active role in the planning. Princess Katherine was well-educated and politically astute, and a good match for Henry. In 1513, Henry VIIIs first queenacting as regent in her husbands absencesecured a major triumph at the Battle of Flodden. Arthur died the following year, and shortly afterward she was betrothed to Prince Henry, the second son of Henry VII. For more ways to live your best life plus all things Oprah, sign up for our newsletter! Because their marriage is already complete, there is nothing holding Catherine back from meeting Prince Arthur. Facts About Catherine of Aragon. At 29, Charlotte already senses that pressure. Richard reminds her Queen Elizabeth wants them to put their past behind them. When the mayor and sheriffs of Gloucester failed to respond in a timely fashion, she gave them a deadline of 15 days and emphasized that writing and news from the Borders show that the King of Scots means war.. "We are all very glad to be busy with the Scots. Legend has it that Catherine was pregnant throughout this entire process. There is nothing I wont do to save my boys or to save my love. She seals her words with a kiss and departs, leaving Catherine alone to consider what shes learned. She also warns her against engaging in a relationship with Edward. Princess Catherine and Queen Elizabeth have their first face-to-face meeting. As it turned out, neither Lovell nor the queen ended up seeing action. Shes also unhappy Princess Catherine is arriving soon, going as far as to wish her dead. She emphasizes, Pregnancy is stressful enough as is, but then to have that on top of it, you know, it's a lot. Charlotte points to a scene where Catherine miscarries and as she begs for it not to happen, it is not even about her pain anymore. According to Fox, the Battle of Flodden (which draws its name from nearby Flodden Edge) left Scotland in a powerless situation. She adds, Not only have you just defeated them in a spectacular way, but [the kingdom is] in disarray. An afternoon of great slaughter, sweating and travail ensued, and by its end, some 10,000 Scotsincluding 12 earls, 14 lords, an archbishop, a bishop, 2 abbots and James himselflay dead. Neither her former husband, Henry VIII, nor her daughter, Mary, attended the funeral. Titled The New World, episode one begins in Alhambra Palace, Spain in 1501. When she questions him about being a Muslim and drinking, he explains its because theres nothing else safe to drink. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute. Edward interrupts to inform Catherine the Queen has asked to see her. When she was 18, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance that affects 1 in 10 women and is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility. Intricately tied up in her miscarriages is the loss of her relationship with Henry, the love between them, and the power that comes with it. But, it was also talked about in the 16th century with Catherine of Aragon trying desperately to produce a male heir for her husband, the King, Henry the VIII. At the point where she starts to not be able to fulfill her female role is the point where she starts to lose her power. The refusal of Pope Clement VII to annul Henry's marriage to Catherine triggered the break between Henry and Rome and led to the English Reformation. Today, historians debate whether Catherine was really pregnant during the battle, butfor reasons of sheer narrative potentialThe Spanish Princess goes with the legend. She had been ill for a few months but felt worse after drinking a draught of Welsh beer in December 1535 and this, combined with the embalmers report that all of her organs were healthy apart from her heart, which was quit black and hideous to look at, gave rise to rumours that Catherine had been poisoned. This idea of a woman involved in battles is there. The seas are rough as Catherine of Aragon continues her trip to meet her betrothed. She reminds him of what hes written, including saying he wanted to hold her in his arms. "Flodden," the second episode of The Spanish Princess's second season, showcases Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope) in her element. They walk down the aisle as Catherine quietly recites, Daughter of Spain, wife to Prince Arthur. The episode ends as she adds, and soon, Queen of England.. Prince Harry joins her at the door and removes her shoes. Cowie describes the wedding of Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon on November 14th, 1501. He tells his soon-to-be sister-in-law Arthurs afraid of girls so she doesnt need to worry about the physical aspect of their marriage. Unlike Anne, and other wives, Catherine lived on, "demoted," as History phrases it. A sad end to a woman who had once been Queen of England and who had defeated the Scots as Regent. Catherine of Aragon was born into a family of kings and queens and was destined to become one herself. Though Spain and England initially sought to maintain their alliance by marrying Catherine to another member of the Tudor family (both Henry and his father, Henry VII, were suggested as potential suitors), negotiations soured as diplomatic relations shifted. For some years the couple lived happily. Catherine of Aragon wins this battle, telling Lady Margaret she will not meet anyone until she has had a bath and a siesta. At the same time, England needs an infusion of cash to fend off France and Scotland invasions. What ensued was the largest battle between England and Scotland in terms of troop numbers, and one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on English soil, according to the Guardian. After a few hurried moments of preparing Catherine to greet King Henry, the ruler of England enters and is immediately dressed down by Princess Catherine. Henry VIII, her husband of four years, had led a huge army across the Channel to attack the French king Louis XII. Often in fiction or depictions of history, Catherine of Aragon is depicted with dark hair and brown eyes, presumably because she was Spanish. Answer (1 of 7): Katharine was a princess of Spain, the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and related by blood or marriage to about half the royals in Europe. My Lady the Kings Mother (as she was referred to at the time) is unaware Catherine has ordered their ship to dock elsewhere, not wishing to see her other lady-in-waiting, Rosa (Nadia Parkes), continue suffering from seasickness. In actuality, Catherine only made it as far as Buckingham, 60 miles north of London, before hearing of the victory on the field in Northumberland, the northernmost county of England. Though Catherine was careful to praise her husbands success in France, she and other contemporary observers knew that Henrys triumphs paled in comparison to Flodden. For Queen Catherine, her identity and power dynamics shift substantially as her infertility and inability to produce an heir to the throne take center stage. And with her husband, Henry VIII (Ruairi O'Connor), away in France on a military campaign, she ruled England completely. Princess Catherine doesnt care about the semantics; she isnt fond of so much water raining down from the heavens. For a moment there, Catherine had it all. [They] let us know that Catherine was heading for Warwick [Castle] and the Tower [of London] had pretty much been emptied of armor., Catherine and her troops were ready to face the Scots if James IV managed to defeat both Surreys and Lovells forces. Shes embarrassed she shared her heart and passion with the letter-writer. Catherine of Aragon was Queen of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII from their marriage on 11 June 1509 until their annulment on 23 May 1533. Charlotte explains that initially . The truth, however, is more nuanceda fact increasingly reflected in cultural depictions of the queen, including Starzs The Spanish Princess and West End hit Six: The Musical, which features a fictionalized version of Catherine chiding her husband for forgetting that Ive never lost control / No matter how many times I knew you lied., Far from being the troublesome, unappealing wife of popular imagination, Catherine was actually a charismatic, intelligent and much-loved queen. The marriage was annulled and he went on to marry Anne Boleyn, a favorite mistress. She explains, It is really important to talk about PCOSbut no one really talks about it because it's not a cool thing to bring up on a first date. It could also be because, as Dr. Conti says, Any condition that poses potential infertility also carries stigma. Prince Henry was by her side escorting her. Meilan Solly is Smithsonian magazine's associate digital editor, history. Starzs limited series The Spanish Princess, the networks third series based on the critically acclaimed novels by Philippa Gregory, premiered on May 5, 2019. Catherine of Aragon's Last Days On the 29th December 1535 Catherine's doctor sent for Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial Ambassador and a friend of Catherine's - Catherine had taken a turn for the worse. As Prince Arthur prepares for his trip, Queen Elizabeth asks what he and Aunt Maggie discuss. Back in her room, Catherine tells Lina that Arthur did not write the letters. She viewed the survival of her marriage as inextricable from the survival of the Catholic Church, according to Fox, and refused to back down despite immense pressure. She says his behavior was due to the fact they paid a high price for her and hes desperate. Catherine of Aragon was born on the 16th December 1485 and was the youngest surviving child of the Spanish Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. (The Queen led the charge and is coated in blood at its end.). Richard and Margaret Pole finally reunite with their young children, the only people who truly bring a smile to Margarets face. The English customs are different, and Catherine continues to prove shes fierce and unafraid of speaking her mind. The challenges of fertility poison the once. Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Pole have a strained reunion, and when they meet in private Elizabeth asks Maggie to join her as she prepares to give birth. The marriage was annulled and he went on to marry Anne Boleyn, a favorite mistress. Henry had another reason for wishing to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon: he had fallen in love. Henry must have feared that if she returned to Spain she would become a focus for those who opposed his religious policies. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. From then on, Catherine's primary duty was bearing a male heirand that, as the series shows, was a battle she could not win. Catherine barely acknowledges his greeting, wanting only to enter the house and get out of her wet clothes. | READ MORE. Its circumstance, and, the circumstance is infertility. Dr. Jane Van Dis, board certified OB-GYN emphasized, Any loss, whether miscarriage, stillbirth or the loss of a child can have profound effects on relationships. In many ways, this feels like the loss of a power couple to Charlotte. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Behind the Scenes: 12 Historical Figures in, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-of-Aragon, Catherine of Aragon - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Catherine of Aragon - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). She felt somewhat grateful for lockdown because it gave her time to cleanse, spend time with her mom, and process the trauma of playing the role. Having King Ferdinand as an ally against the French was extremely useful for England. One part of lore The Spanish Princess skips over? She had married Henry VIII before God and despite the annulment and his subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, Catherine believed that she was still his true wife and Mary his legitimate heir. That way, if King James IV's troops were victorious, she and her army would be waiting. Catherine of Aragon served as regent for her husband, Henry VIII, for six months when he was in France in 1513. Richard Pole breaks the tension, introducing himself and his wife. Im sure that her conscience would have been even more troubled if she had agreed to the annulment and risked their souls. They make their way through the dark castle at night in search of replacement herbs and run into Edward Stafford. The book also offers a new perspective on why Henry VIII, constantly threatened by treachery, real or imagined, and desperate to secure his power with a male heir, became a tyrant. Catherine of Aragon is portrayed on screen by actress Charlotte Hope in historical drama The Spanish Princess Why did Henry VIII 'divorce' Catherine of Aragon? Catherine may not call herself Princess of Wales until after the wedding. Working with councilors, she mobilized forces across England, communicating with local authorities to determine how many men and horses their parishes could provide. See below for a timeline of her life: To learn more, click here for our comprehensive guide to The Tudors. She was also concerned about the impact the annulment would have on their only living child, Mary. On September 9, Surreys troops and James army of more than 30,000 engaged in battle. In 1501 she married Prince Arthur, eldest son of King Henry VII of England. She sees fighting for her own marriage as just as important as fighting for the Catholic faith.. She's both warrior and queen, fulfilling her desire to be a military leader and her duty to bear an heir. "For the first time, we could show a battle with the woman in the middle of it, which was a huge thing," Frost says. Prince Harrys easily distracted and asks for Oviedos crossbow. After King Henry makes his exit, Lady Margaret confides to Elizabeth that Catherine is arrogant and over-privileged. She notes that she can feel the tides shifting as friends are picking different paths in their lives. As far as Katherine had happily noticed, most of the tension had dissolved between her sisters. Yet, while she enjoyed her non-traditional life, she regularly questioned, Am I gonna be able to have kids? "Facts About Catherine of Aragon." Queen Elizabeth assures her it's true and that she's revealing this secret so that Catherine realizes what's at stake with her marriage to Prince Arthur. They believe God is keeping Princess Catherine away. The couples loving relationship, however, eventually deteriorated due to a lack of a male heir and the kings infatuation with Anne Boleyn. Speaking to OprahMag.com, Hope reflects on the true story that brought her to a very dark place. The frequency of her pregnancies and the tragic loss of each infant took its toll upon the Queen and after November 1518 she had no more children. When Catherine of Aragon realized that a mere mistress was trying to take her place, she tried to use her power as queen to keep her rival, Anne, in her place. Chapuys sought permission from the King to visit Catherine and it was granted. But since Catherine. Catherine admits her own letters are equally as passionate as Prince Arthurs. When he asks where shes off to, Rosa explains and then heads with Edward into the shadows to make out. Catherine reluctantly allows Lina to dry and dress her. Miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, and even maternal death are all storylines that, while unpopular and uncomfortable to unpack, are lived truths for many people. Charlotte adds, I think those kind of stories are really important to be told, if for nothing else than to encourage people to be more aware about what these issues are, and that they're not scary and overwhelming and that it's something that so many women are dealing with in their day to day lives, even now.. Legend has it that Catherine of Aragon rode into battle while pregnant. Catherine of Aragon Was a Real Life Warrior Queen, Season 2 of "The Spanish Princes" Is Even Darker, See the Cast of Season 2 of "The Spanish Princess", Why Princess Anne Might Be the Coolest Royal, bloodiest battles ever fought on English soil, Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey and 26,000 soldiers, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, "Flodden," the second episode of Starz's period drama. Historical documents show Catherine's excitement at getting a slice of military action, as her mother, Isabel of Castile, had so often. Given how perfectly it encapsulates her personality, the powerful image of Catherine wearing armor ahead of battle ultimately serves as the main poster image for season 2 of The Spanish Princess. Catherine, in the lead-up to the Battle of Flodden, literally was. Comparatively, the smaller English army only lost around 1,500 men. ThoughtCo. She pleads that she is a woman and a foreigner having no friends. That anxiety helped fuel her role and riveting performance. Died: January 7, 1536 at Kimbolton Castle. King Henry explains he simply wants to lay eyes on her after waiting so long for her arrival. Lina sends everyone away and then recalls a meeting between Catherine and Christopher Columbus. Keep in mind that James had been married to Henry's sister, Margaret Tudorso he was technically Catherine's brother-in-law. This happened many times for Charlotte Hope as she played Queen Catherine in the Starz original limited series the Spanish Princess, which returned for Part 2 this month. There's the science of it: the simple fact that miscarriage most often happens as a result of an issue with the embryo's chromosomes, and then there's the stigma of it: the deeply ingrained and false idea that it was something the pregnant person did wrong. Compared to this, the Battle of the Spurs won over the French, although part of an expensive campaign, was a purely temporary check, forgotten the next year when the King turned his foreign policy on its head., Catherine wasnt the first English queen to assume the reins of power in the absence of a male monarch. King Henry asks that she come and meet his son and let him also lay his eyes upon her. Additionally, Catherine would not budge from her position that she was his wife and queen in the eyes of both God and Man. Margaret tells Prince Arthur hell make a handsome groom, but Arthurs in a foul mood. Prior to Cunninghams find, historians had only known that Catherine was in Buckingham, around 60 miles north of London, when she received word of Surreys victory. The procession harks back to her funeral and the 1000 candles lit for Katharine by approximately 200 mourners in 1536., Saturday 29th January, 9am, Roman Catholic Mass by the grave of Catharine of Aragon A Mass in Catherines memory, Saturday 29th January 10.00am to 3.00pm, Tudor Living History A chance to meet Catharine and Henry Vlll, Tudor dancing and music, Tudor crafts, archery, surgery and much more., Saturday 29th January at 7.30pm, The Sixteen in concert The Sixteen are recognized as one of the worlds greatest choral and period instrument ensembles. Catherine, for her part, appeared to relish the opportunity to exercise her full authority, says Giles Tremlett, author of Catherine of Aragon: Henry's Spanish Queen. Catherine of Aragon - Early Life and First Marriage, Medieval Queens, Empresses, and Women Rulers, Eleanor of Aquitaines Descendants Through Eleanor, Queen of Castile, Biography of Catherine Parr, Sixth Wife of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon: Early Life and First Marriage, Catherine of Aragon: Marriage to Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon: The King's Great Matter, M.Div., Meadville/Lombard Theological School, Father: Ferdinand II of Aragon (14521516), Maternal grandmother:Isabella of Portugal(14281496), Maternal grandfather:John (Juan) of Castile (14051454), Paternal grandmother: Juana Enriquez, a member of the Castilian nobility (1425 - 1468), second wife of Juan II, and a great-great-granddaughter of Alfonso XI of Castile, Paternal grandfather: John (Juan) II of Aragon, also known as Juan the Great and Juan the Faithless (13981479), John, Prince of Asturias (14781497; married to, Joanna of Castile (Juana the Mad) (14791555; married to Philip, Duke of Burgundy, later titled Philip I of Castile; six children included Holy Roman Emperors Charles V and Ferdinand I; Charles V played a key role in the struggle over Catherine's annulment and Charles' son, Philip II of Spain, eventually married Catherine of Aragon's daughter, Mary I), Maria, Queen of Portugal (14821517; married to Manuel I of Portugal, widower of her sister Isabella; her daughter Isabella married Joanna's son Charles V and was the mother of, Catherine of Aragon (14851536) was the youngest of the siblings, husband: Arthur, Prince of Wales (betrothed in 1489, married 1501; Arthur died 1502), no children; Catherine asserted consistently at the end of her marriage that the marriage had not been consummated, husband: Henry VIII of England (married 1509; annulled by Church of England in 1533, with Archbishop Cranmer approving the nullification of the marriage). She emphasizes that stress is too often and incorrectly blamed for miscarriages and so people historically (and still do) suffer in silence for fear of being blamed for being too stressed (or, perhaps, in Catherines case, fighting in a battle). Prince Arthur attempts to change the subject, assuring Princess Catherine hell try and be a good husband whos always attentive to her needs. children: Catherine was pregnant six times during her marriage to Henry VIII: January 1, 1511: son, Henry, lived 52 days, September or October 1513: son, stillborn, November 1514 - February 1515: son, Henry, stillborn or died shortly after birth, February 18, 1516: daughter, Mary, the only one of her children to survive infancy. She was forbidden to see their daughter. When Maggie demurs, Elizabeth gets to the point she demands to know if Maggies heard of any traitors rising up against King Henry. Queen Catherine of Aragon, played by Charlotte. He enters and pounds on Catherines door, demanding she open up so he can meet her. However, on the night of the 6th January, Catherine became fidgety and in the early hours of the 7th she asked to take communion. Dr. Jennifer Conti, OB-GYN and Co-Author of The Vagina Book: An Owner's Manual for Taking Care of Your Down There explains, It's so important to talk about all types of pregnancy outcomes because in reality, not all pregnancies end in happy, healthy deliveries.



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