Date of Birth: December 16, 1485
Died: January 7, 1536 Reigned: 1509-1533 Parents: Ferdinand II (1452-1526) & Isabella I(1443-1509) Spouse: Arthur & Henry VIII (1509-1533) Religion: Roman Catholic Children: Mary I (1516-1558) & Henry (1513 & 1514 stillborn both times) Buried: Peterborough Cathedral Successor: Anne Boylen Catherine d'Argon originally married Arthur, who was the heir to the English throne, but he died four months into their marriage and she became a widow. Arthur's brother, Henry VIII, fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. At this time, it was illegal in the church's eyes to marry your brother's widow, so he gets a special pardon from the church. They remained married for many years, and she gives him a daughter but is unable to give him a male heir. Henry fell in love with a younger woman named Anne Boleyn, and she became pregnant. He knew that he must marry her before the baby was born, because if it was a boy he would be a bastard and could not be king. He decided that Catherine's infidelity was a sign from God that the Pope did not actually have the power to let them be married in the first place, and the marriage should be annulled. Obviously, the Pope refused to give the annulment because it would take away from his power, so Henry decided to break away from the church and start his own. Thus, the Anglican Church came to power and Catherine was divorced through Henry’s new church. |
1500s |
Catherine d'ARgon |