1 Jan 1509 Jahr - Catherine of Aragon

Beschreibung:

Queen-consort of England and daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Catherine was a formidable and charismatic woman, who often helped lead England alongside Henry.

The first known female ambassador in European history, she was originally intended to marry Prince Arthur, Henry's older brother, but after the former's untimely death she married Henry.

She was named regent by Henry and performed her role diligently, helping to defend England and lead it during the war of the league of Cambrai in which France called on its ally Scotland to aid it.

Catherine, despite being heavily pregnant at the time, rode in full armour and addressed the English army with a speech to them at Richmond. Her speech was very highly praised by her contemporaries.

Unfortunately, Catherine miscarried several times and her only successful birth was of Mary. Henry, after 24 years of marriage, partly for his desire for a son and partly for his infatuation with Anne Boleyn, sought to annul his marriage with Catherine and have it declared null and void, illegitimising Mary in the process. Catherine fiercely opposed this but was ultimately unsuccesful and despite her refusal to be addressed as anything but "Queen of England" was made to live the rest of her life away from her daughter and unable to see her.

She died in 1536, asking her nephew Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to protect her daughter in case of her death the year earlier.

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