2016-12-16 Fri

“I choose what I believe, and say nothing, for I am not as simple as I may seem”.
- Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon was born on 16th December 1485 AD and later crowned as the Queen of England after her marriage to King Henry VIII. She was the youngest child of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, whose marriage had united Spain.

Catherine was first betrothed to King Henry VII of England’s eldest son Prince Arthur and was married to him at the age of 16 in 1501 AD. Unfortunately, he died within six months of their marriage.

King Henry VII was interested in the dowry she brought along, so he ensured that she stayed back in England and later got her married to Arthur’s younger brother Henry in 1509 AD. Later Henry was crowned and he took the title of King Henry VIII and Catherine became the Queen of England. The coronation ceremony took place in Westminster Abbey.

Queen Catherine proved to be an able regent assisting King Henry in his campaign against France (1512 to 1514 AD). However her inability to produce a male heir resulted in King Henry annulling their marriage. The Pope at that time refused to annul their marriage as he feared the wrath of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, nephew of Queen Catherin.

But circumstances were not in her favour! King Henry VIII rejected the power of the Pope in England and made Thomas Carnmer the Archbishop who granted the annulment. Catherine was renounced of her title as Queen of England and was named as the Princess Dowager of Wales. She was separated from her only daughter who later came to be known as Queen Mary I (also Known as Bloody Mary).

This stamp was printed in Great Britain Showing the portrait of Catherine of Aragon in 1997, its coast is 26 pence. Catherine died on 7th January 1536 AD at Kimbolton House in Cambridgeshire. She had a small funeral and was buried in Peterborough Abbey. Till her death, she rejected the annulment and title given to her.