Catherine of Aragon: Life Story, Bio and Facts
Who is Catherine of Aragon?
Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536) was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. She was born in Spain, the daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Catherine was betrothed to Henry at the age of three and was sent to England to marry him when she was 16. The couple had a happy marriage for many years and had several children, but only one, a daughter named Mary, survived infancy.
Catherine's marriage to Henry began to unravel when he became infatuated with Anne Boleyn, one of her ladies-in-waiting. Henry wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine so he could marry Anne, but the Catholic Church refused to grant the annulment. This led to a break between the Church of England and the Catholic Church and the creation of the Church of England with Henry as its head.
Catherine was eventually forced to retire to a remote castle, where she spent the last years of her life. Despite her difficult situation, she remained devoted to her daughter and the Catholic Church. She died in 1536, probably of cancer.
Catherine's life and marriage to Henry VIII have been the subject of much historical and literary speculation, and she is often portrayed as a tragic figure.
Catherine of Aragon Fast Facts
Catherine of Aragon (16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. She was the mother of Mary I of England and was known for her strong will and determination.
* Catherine was born in the Archivo de Simancas, Spain, the youngest surviving child of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile.
* She was married to Prince Arthur, the eldest son of King Henry VII of England, in 1501, but he died six months after their marriage.
* Catherine was then betrothed to Arthur's younger brother, Prince Henry, who would later become King Henry VIII. They were married in 1509, and Catherine became Queen Consort of England.
* Catherine and Henry had several children together, but only one, Mary, survived infancy.
* Catherine was a devoted wife and mother, but she was unable to provide Henry with a male heir, which became a source of tension in their marriage.
* Henry began to seek annulment of their marriage in the 1520s, but the Catholic Church, of which Catherine was a devout member, refused to annul their marriage.
* Despite her strong opposition, Henry divorced Catherine in 1533 and she was banished from court. She spent the rest of her life in relative isolation.
* Catherine of Aragon is remembered for her strong will and determination, and for her role in the political and religious upheaval that led to the establishment of the Church of England.
* She is honored as a martyr and a model of perseverance in the face of adversity by the Catholic Church, which declared her a Servant of God in the 1950s.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
