Prince of Wales

Katherine of Aragon: First Wife of Henry VIII

5 Comments

When we think of Henry VIII we often think of his sixth wives – the end of his first marriage was quite controversial and took many years to achieve…that’s the marriage we are looking at today. Katherine of Aragon and whether or not the marriage between Arthur, Prince of Wales and his bride was consummated. We’ll also look at what happened during her marriage with Henry and how she never allowed Henry to have the upper-hand. In her mind, she was his true wife and queen. I [More]

Clearing up the Portrait Confusion: Arthur and Henry

14 Comments

Arthur and Henry Tudor were brothers, so inevitably they looked alike. Today's topic is clearing up the confusion between which portrait is Arthur and which is Henry. The question really circulates around one portrait, the one of young Henry VIII at the beginning of his reign. This is the one that many people, when posted or shared online will say, "That's a portrait of Arthur, not Henry!" I usually follow those comments by sharing the confirmed portrait of Arthur and [More]

Henry VIII turns on Katherine of Aragon

8 Comments

When Henry VIII believed that Katherine of Aragon would no longer be able to give him a male heir he began to look for ways out of the marriage. Whether he truly believed his own statements, or if he was just looking for a way out, only he and his closest advisers would know. Henry's biggest concern was that Katherine's marriage to his older brother Arthur must have been consummated and that is why he had not been able to conceive a surviving son and male heir with [More]

Arthur and Katherine Sent to Ludlow Castle

1 Comment

Merely three months after their marriage, Arthur and Katherine, Prince and Princess of Wales were sent to Wales to reside at Ludlow Castle to preserve ancient customs (as the letter states). Here is a letter from Henry VII to Katherine's parents (Ferdinand and Isabel) letting them know that Arthur and Katherine were sent to Wales to reside at Ludlow Castle. The young couple were married on the 14th of November 1501 - this letter was dated the 20th of Februa [More]

Prince Arthur and Katherine of Aragon

3 Comments

This letter from Arthur Tudor was dated 1499, nearly two years prior to Katherine arriving in England and wedding her prince, however they were just married by proxy. At the time this letter was written, Arthur was only thirteen years old. In her new book, Katherine of Aragon - The True Queen, Alison Weir stated that Arthur did not write the letter himself and that someone else assisted him or wrote it for him. After reading the letter I have to agree - I believe he was [More]

Wolsey’s Mistress and Children

3 Comments

It was the Spring of 1509, King Henry VII lay dying in his bed surrounded by his most intimate courtiers and household. His son, the seventeen year old Prince of Wales would soon become the next King of England. King Henry VIII. Henry, however, was never supposed to be heir apparent to the throne. He was raised as a ‘spare heir’ with his sisters, and his education was that of a second son and not that of someone who would someday become King. In the Spring of 1502 [More]