Death of Catherine of Aragon (1536)

Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, died at Kimbolton Castle on 7 January 1536. She had been banished from court following the annulment of their marriage and lived her final years in seclusion, maintaining her claim to the title of Queen until her death.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Catherine of Aragon served as Queen of England from 1509 until the annulment of her marriage to Henry VIII in 1533. After the marriage was declared invalid by the new Anglican Church, she refused to accept Henry as the supreme head of the Church and continued to regard herself as the King's rightful wife.

Final Years. Following her banishment from court, Catherine was moved between several residences, including Hatfield, Elsyng, Ampthill, and Buckden Towers. She eventually settled at Kimbolton Castle, where she lived out the remainder of her life in seclusion, attracting popular sympathy for her steadfast refusal to renounce her status.

Death. In late December 1535, Catherine made her will and wrote to Emperor Charles V to protect her daughter. She died at Kimbolton Castle on 7 January 1536, likely from cancer, having maintained her claim to the queenship until the end of her life.

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Sources

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