Catherine Parr
Catherine Parr entered the world in 1512, likely during late July or August. Her father Sir Thomas Parr held the manor of Kendal in Westmorland, now part of Cumbria. Her mother Maud Green was a co-heiress to Sir Thomas Green of Greens Norton in Northamptonshire. The Parr family stood as a substantial northern lineage containing many knights and descendants of King Edward III. Catherine grew up with a younger brother William who later became Marquess of Northampton and a sister Anne who became Countess of Pembroke. Her father served as Sheriff of Northamptonshire and Master of the Wards while maintaining close ties to King Henry VIII. Historians now believe she was born at Blackfriars townhouse rather than inside the crumbling Kendal Castle where her parents spent little time. Her initial education mirrored that of other well-born women but sparked a lifelong passion for learning. She mastered French Italian and Latin before beginning Spanish after becoming queen.
In 1529 seventeen-year-old Catherine married Sir Edward Burgh grandson of Edward Burgh second Baron Burgh. This first husband died in spring 1533 without inheriting his title. Following his death Catherine may have stayed with Dowager Lady Strickland at Sizergh Castle in Westmorland. By summer 1534 she wed John Neville third Baron Latimer her father's second cousin. Latimer nearly twice her age had two children from his first marriage to Dorothy de Vere. He faced financial difficulties after legal battles over the Earl of Warwick title yet provided Catherine a home and influence in the north. During October 1536 Catholic rebels appeared before their home threatening violence if Latimer joined their rebellion. Between October 1536 and April 1537 Catherine lived alone in fear with step-children struggling to survive. In January 1537 rebels held her hostage at Snape Castle in North Yorkshire while demanding Latimer return immediately. The family survived though Latimer's reputation suffered tarnish for life. By winter 1542 Lord Latimer's health worsened until his death in 1543 left Catherine a rich widow.
Catherine married Henry VIII on the 12th of July 1543 at Hampton Court Palace making her the first queen also titled Queen of Ireland. She became the final queen consort of the House of Tudor outliving Henry by one year and eight months. Her regency council included Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury and her uncle William Parr during Henry's campaign in France from July to September 1544. She handled provisions finances and musters while signing five royal proclamations. Catherine maintained constant contact with Lord Shrewsbury over Scotland's unstable situation. Anti-Protestant officials like Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Wriothesley tried turning the King against her. An arrest warrant likely drawn up in spring 1546 was thwarted when she reconciled with Henry after vowing arguments were distractions from his ulcerous leg pain. The following day Chancellor Wriothesley attempted arrest but the King angrily dismissed him. Catherine remained influential in passing the Third Succession Act in 1543 restoring Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession.
On the 25th of April 1544 Catherine published Psalms or Prayers anonymously as a translation of Latin work by Bishop John Fisher. This volume contained seventeen psalms focused on defeating enemies and concluded with A Prayer for the King derived from Georg Witzel's prayer for Holy Roman Emperor. One deluxe copy bore annotations by Henry VIII while another set the Ninth Psalm to music by Thomas Tallis performed at St Paul's Cathedral on the 22nd of May 1544. Her second book Prayers or Meditations appeared June 1545 becoming a bestseller reworked from Thomas à Kempis Imitatio Christi. Princess Elizabeth translated this work into Latin Italian and French as a New Year gift presented in hand-embroidered cover December 1545. In November 1547 she released The Lamentation of a Sinner promoting Protestant justification by faith alone sponsored by Katherine Brandon Duchess of Suffolk. William Cecil wrote its preface while Nicholas Udall and others translated Erasmus Paraphrases Upon the New Testament printed January 1548. These publications made her the first woman in England to publish an original work under her own name in English.
Shortly before his death Henry provided £7,000 annually for Catherine though he ordered she retain queenly respect after his passing. Following Edward VI coronation the 31st of January 1547 she retired to Old Manor Chelsea where Thomas Seymour returned to court. Near end of May 1548 they married secretly without informing King Edward or council causing minor scandal. Mary and Lady Elizabeth became displeased with the union leading to Elizabeth's removal to Cheshunt household in May 1548. During summer 1548 Catherine moved to Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire accompanied by Lady Jane Grey. On the 30th of August 1548 she gave birth to daughter Mary Seymour named after stepdaughter Mary. Catherine died five days later on the 5th of September 1548 from childbed fever at age thirty-five. Her funeral held the 7th of September 1548 was first Protestant service conducted in English with Lady Jane Grey as chief mourner. She lay buried in St Mary's Chapel grounds of Sudeley Castle until Civil War disturbances.
During English Civil War Parliamentarians sieged Sudeley Castle in January 1643 disturbing graves and destroying monuments according to writer Bruno Ryves. The castle changed hands multiple times before slighting in 1649 leaving royal grave lost for over a century. Antiquarian Rev Huggett rediscovered her presence at College of Arms passing findings to George Pitt Baron Rivers owner in 1768. Joseph Lucas local gentry searching among chapel ruins found the grave in 1782. He opened leaden coffin depth two feet revealing body wrapped six or seven seer cloth linen entire and uncorrupted. Flesh appeared white and moist when incision made through covering arm fabric. Coffin reopened repeatedly 1783 1784 1786 1792 when vandals broke in throwing corpse rubbish heap. Last opening 1817 reduced body to skeleton filling coffin with ivy. Fragments dress and locks hair collected one gifted Elizabeth Hamilton now displayed at Sudeley Castle. Final move 1861 placed remains under neo-Gothic tomb designed Sir George Gilbert Scott with recumbent marble figure John Birnie Philip.
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Common questions
When was Catherine Parr born and where did she grow up?
Catherine Parr entered the world in 1512 likely during late July or August. Historians now believe she was born at Blackfriars townhouse rather than inside the crumbling Kendal Castle where her parents spent little time.
Who were the husbands of Catherine Parr and when did they die?
Her first husband Sir Edward Burgh died in spring 1533 without inheriting his title. Her second husband John Neville third Baron Latimer died in 1543 leaving Catherine a rich widow.
What date did Catherine Parr marry Henry VIII and what role did she hold as queen?
Catherine married Henry VIII on the 12th of July 1543 at Hampton Court Palace making her the first queen also titled Queen of Ireland. She became the final queen consort of the House of Tudor outliving Henry by one year and eight months.
Which books did Catherine Parr publish and why are they historically significant?
On the 25th of April 1544 Catherine published Psalms or Prayers anonymously as a translation of Latin work by Bishop John Fisher. These publications made her the first woman in England to publish an original work under her own name in English.
When did Catherine Parr die and how old was she at death?
Catherine died five days later on the 5th of September 1548 from childbed fever at age thirty-five. Her funeral held the 7th of September 1548 was first Protestant service conducted in English with Lady Jane Grey as chief mourner.