܀ history meme ܀ six relationships:Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon (x) (4/6) ↳ husband and wife
The longest of all his marital relations, Katherine’s presence in Henry’s life spanned from his childhood and up to his early forties. Their relationship would be one of love and heartbreak along the way, reaching a dramatic end that would alter the course of English history.
Although Katherine had previously been married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur, a papal dispensation had been granted that allowed for Henry to be betrothed to her as part of keeping the Spanish-English alliance. However, the alliance was disrupted upon the death of Isabella of Castile and Henry was forced away from Katherine who was once again in an uncertain position. Yet when Henry VII died and Henry came to the throne, he was reminded that he was still formally attached to Katherine and Henry made the decision to upkeep this promise. They were married on the 11th June 1509, a small affair that signalled a direct difference from his father’s reign. Their coronation followed almost a fortnight later which was a spectacular event and together they presented a new age.
The first half of their marriage was one in which Katherine enjoyed the love of her husband and was a close companion and advisor to him. She acted as the ambassador between her father and her husband, swaying both sides occasionally when needed. As for Henry, he “took great pride in his queen” and “some of their interaction was indeed playful, suggesting an easy familiarity with each other.” With Katherine, he could indulge in one of his favourite roles, that of the chivalrous knight and “she would be his queen of romance, the damsel to whom he could dedicate his feats of arms and gallant demonstrations of courtly prowess.” This was particularly acted out at the tournament at Westminster which could not fail to display to the love he had for her.
Despite the fact Katherine gave birth to a number of children, only Mary survived as many of the others were premature, stillborn or died a few days later. As the years went by, Henry’s preoccupation with having a male heir began to become more and more apparent. His affairs were known to Katherine but, although they would have been emotionally damaging to her, her position as his wife was still secure. This changed with the introduction of Anne Boleyn and wider religious-political pressures. Although Katherine fought the court that deliberated the grounds for the annulment of her marriage to Henry, she could not fight against the formidable power of the king. The marriage was officially annulled in 1533 and Katherine spent the remainder of her years in virtual poverty, abandoned by the man she had spent the greatest part of her life with.
∾ Fandoms: MC, MCK, the tudors, victoria, the white princess, reign, the spanish princess, marie antoinette, the white queen, ekaterina, the vampire diaries, the gossip girl
[Photo: A perched falcon with the red and white Tudor rose crest imposed on its breast, upon a green and white striped background, with text reading. “What’s so great about Katherine of Aragon? Wasn’t she just the old wife tossed over for Anne Boleyn?” followed by, “I WILL CUT YOU, YOU BLASPHEMOUS WENCH.”]
