Biography of Queen Catherine Howard of England 1523-1542

Before 1492 Ralph Leigh (age 12) and [her mother] Joyce Culpepper (age 11) were married.

On 11 Jun 1509, one month after the death of his father, [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 17) and Catherine of Aragon (age 23) were married at the Church of the Observant Friars, Greenwich [Map]. She had, eight years before, married his older brother Prince Arthur Tudor - see Marriage of Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon. She the daughter of Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 57) and Isabella Queen Castile. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

After 06 Nov 1509 [her father] Edmund Howard (age 31) and [her mother] Joyce Culpepper (age 29) were married. He the son of [her grandfather] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 66) and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.

Around 1523 Catherine Howard was born to Edmund Howard (age 45) and Joyce Culpepper (age 43) at Lambeth, Surrey [Map].

Around 1528 [her mother] Joyce Culpepper (age 48) died.

After 1528 [her father] Edmund Howard (age 50) and Dorothy Troyes were married. He the son of [her grandfather] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.

On 25 Jan 1533 [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 41) and Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 32) were married by Rowland Leigh Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (age 46) at Whitehall Palace [Map]. Anne Savage Baroness Berkeley (age 37), Thomas Heneage (age 53) and Henry Norreys (age 51) witnessed. She the daughter of Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 56) and [her aunt] Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 53). He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.

Sometime after the marriage Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 38) was appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn of England. She would go to serve Henry's next three wives.

On 30 May 1536 [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 44) and Jane Seymour (age 27) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map] by Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester (age 53). She by marriage Queen Consort England. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.

Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 41) and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin (age 36) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Jane Seymour.

Before 12 Jul 1537 [her father] Edmund Howard (age 59) and [her step-mother] Margaret Mundy (age 27) were married. The difference in their ages was 32 years. He the son of [her grandfather] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.

In 1539 Catherine Howard (age 16) was appointed Lady in Waiting to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 23).

On 19 Mar 1539 [her father] Edmund Howard (age 61) died.

On 06 Jan 1540 [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 48) and Anne of Cleves (age 24) were married by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (age 50) at the Palace of Placentia, Greenwich [Map]. Anne of Cleves was crowned Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 24 years. She the daughter of John La Marck III Duke Cleves and Maria Jülich Berg Duchess Cleves. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.

Catherine Carey (age 16) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 45) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England.

Around Jul 1540 Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford (age 35) was appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 17).

On 09 Jul 1540 [her future husband] Henry VIII's (age 49) marriage to Anne of Cleves (age 24) was annulled. He gave her a generous settlement including Richmond Palace [Map] and Hever Castle, Kent [Map], at an annual rent of £9-13s-3½d.. Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton signed the delcaration. She was given precedence above all other women other than the King's wife future wives and daughters, referring to her thereafter as The King's Sister. She lived seventeen more years outliving Henry's two next wives Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 17) and Catherine Parr Queen Consort England (age 27), and [her future step-son] King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 2).

On 28 Jul 1540 Henry VIII (age 49) and Catherine Howard (age 17) were married at Oatlands Palace [Map] by Bishop of London Edmund Bonner (age 40). She by marriage Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 31 years. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England.

Catherine Carey (age 16) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 45) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Catherine Howard of England.

Hall's Chronicle. The eight day of August [08 Aug 1540], was the Lady Catherine Howard (age 17), niece to the [her uncle] duke of Norfolk (age 67), and daughter to the Lord [her father] Edmund Howard, showed openly as Queen at Hampton Court [Map], which dignity she enjoyed not long, as after you shall hear.

Wriothesley's Chronicle. 08 Aug 1540The 8th day of August was buried the noble King Edward the 6th, and seven year of his reign; and at his burying was the greatest moan made for him of his death [as ever] was heard or seen, both of all sorts of people, weeping and lamenting; and first of all went a great company of children in ther surplusses, and clerks singing, and then his father's beadsmen, and then two heralds, and then a standard with a dragon, and then a great number of his servants in black, and then another standard with a white greyhound, and then after a great number of his officers, and after them comes more heralds, and then a standard with the head officers of his house; and then heralds, Norrey [Herald] bare the helmet and the crest on horseback, and then hi great banner of armes embroidered, and with diverss other banners, and then came riding master Clarenceau with his target, with his garter, and his sword, gorgeously and rich, and after Garter with his coat [of] armour in embroidery, and then more [heralds] of arms; and then came the chariot with great horses trapped with velvet to the ground, and hevier horse having [a man] on his bake in blacke, and ever on burying a banner-roll [of] diverss kings arms, and with escutcheons on their horses, and then the chariot covered with cloth of gold, and on the [chariot] lay on a picture lying richly with a crown of gold, and a great colla, and his sceptre in his hand, lying in his robes [and the garter about his leg, and a coat in embroidery of gold; about the corpse were borne four banners, a banner of the order, another of the red rose, another of queen Jane (Seymour), another of the queen's mother. After him went a goodly horse, covered with cloth of gold unto the ground, and the master of the horse, with a man of arms in armour, which] was offered, both the man and the horse. There was set up a goodly hearse in Westmynster abbey with banner [-rolls] and pensells, and hung with velvet about.

This yeare, the eight daie of Awgust, being Sondaie, the [her husband] King (age 49) was maried to [Note. The marriage was made public] Katherin Hawarde (age 17), daughter of the late [her father] Edmond Haward^a deceased, and brother to the [her uncle] Duke of Norfolke (age 67)^b, at his manner of Hampton Court [Map], and that dale she dined in her great chamber under the cloath of estate, and was their proclaymed Queene of Englande.

Note a. By [her mother] Joyce, daughter of Sir [her grandfather] Richard Culpepper, knt. She was also cousin to Anne Boleyn, but of very different character and persuasion, being a zealous partisan of the Church of Rome, and wholly under the guidance of her bigoted uncle the Duke of Norfolk.

Note b. Lord Edmund Howard was son of [her grandfather] Thomas second Duke of Norfolk, and brother to Thomas third Duke.

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                    Around Apr 1541 Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18) wrote to Thomas Culpepper (age 27)...
                
                    Master Culpeper,
                
                    I heartily recommend me unto you, praying you to send me word how that you do. It was showed me that you was sick, the which thing troubled me very much till such time that I hear from you praying you to send me word how that you do, for I never longed so much for a thing as I do to see you and to speak with you, the which I trust shall be shortly now. That which doth comfortly me very much when I think of it, and when I think again that you shall depart from me again it makes my heart die to think what fortune I have that I cannot be always in your company. It my trust is always in you that you will be as you have promised me, and in that hope I trust upon still, praying you that you will come when my Lady Rochford (age 36) is here for then I shall be best at leisure to be at your commandment, thanking you for that you have promised me to be so good unto that poor fellow my man which is one of the griefs that I do feel to depart from him for then I do know no one that I dare trust to send to you, and therefore I pray you take him to be with you that I may sometime hear from you one thing. I pray you to give me a horse for my man for I had much ado to get one and therefore I pray send me one by him and in so doing I am as I said afor, and thus I take my leave of you, trusting to see you shortly again and I would you was with me now that you might see what pain I take in writing to you.
                
                    Yours as long as life endures,
                
                    Katheryn.
                
                    One thing I had forgotten and that is to instruct my man to tarry here with me still for he says whatsomever you bid him he will do it.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1541. That afternoon [Chapus appears here to have the wrong day; other sources say 29 Jun 1541 i.e. St Peter's Day] two gentlemen were hung [A reference to two of John Mantell, John Frowds, George Roidon, Thomas Isleie, and two yeomen Richard Middleton and John Goldwell], one of whom had an income of over 12,000 ducats a year, and was the handsomest and best bred man in England, only 25 years old and married to a niece of the [her uncle] Duke of Norfolk (age 68). He was sentenced for having belonged to a set of eight rakish youths, one of whom had killed a poor old man in an unpremeditated fray. For the same cause lord Dacres (age 26) also, son¹ of the Duke of Norfolk's [her aunt] sister, and cousin of this Queen (age 18), 23 years old and possessing a property of about 5,000 ducats a year, was hung from the most ignominious gibbet, and for greater shame dragged through the streets to the place of execution, to the great pity of many people, and even of his very judges, who wept when they sentenced him, and in a body asked his pardon of the King. But the thing which astonished people most was, that, the same day lord Dacres was hung, another young man (age 28), son of the Treasurer of the Royal household (age 56), who was one of those present at the old man's death, was freely pardoned, though he had been already tried for some like misdemeanour.

At the same time in the North, Sir John Neville (deceased) and about 60 more, among whom at least 25 were ecclesiastics, were executed for the conspiracy of which Chapuys wrote some time ago. Has just heard of the arrival of a Polish gentleman with eight or ten servants. Will endeavour to discover who he is and what he comes for. London, 2 July 1541. Original at Vienna.

Note 1. Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland, Lord Dacre, was the grandson of Anne Bourchier Baroness Dacre of Gilsland who was the maternal half-sister of Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk; Anne and Thomas' mother was [her grandmother] Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.

Holinshed's Chronicle. After he had béene at Yorke twelue daies, he came to Hull, where he deuised certeine fortifications. This doone, he passed ouer the water of Humber, and so through Lincolneshire, returned toward the south parts, and at Alhallowen tide came to Hampton court. About the same time, the king had knowledge that the quéene [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18)] liued dissolutelie, in vsing the vnlawfull companie of one Francis Diram (age 28), with whome she had beene too familiar before hir maraiage with the king; & not meaning to forgo his companie now in time of hir marriage, without regard had either to the feare of God, or the king hir husband, the last summer being in progresse with the king at Pomfret, the seuen and twentith of August, she reteined the said Francis Diram in hir seruice, to the intent she might vse his companie in such vnlawfull sort the more freelie: and not satisfied with him, she also vsed the vnlawfull companie of Thomas Culpeper (age 27) esquire, one of the gentlemen of the kings priuie chamber, as well at Pomfret aforesaid on the nine and twentith and last of August aforesaid, and on the first of September, as at diuerse other times and places before and after.

On 18 Oct 1541 [her sister-in-law] Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland (age 51) died at Methven Castle, Methven. She was buried at Carthusian Charterhouse, Perth.

Before Nov 1541 [her husband] King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 50) and Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18) visited Chenies Manor House, Buckinghamshire [Map]. The house was subsequently mentioned in evidence against her as somewhere she had committed adultery with Thomas Culpepper (age 27).

Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Marquis of Bath. [1541, November.] — "I [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18)] your grace's most sorrowful subject and most vyle wretche in the world not worthy to make any recomendacions unto your moste excellent majestye do oonely make my most humble submyssion and confession of my fawtz. And where no cawse of mercye is gyven uppon my partie yet of your most accustomed mercy extended unto all other men undeserved most humbly of my haundes and kneez do desire oon sparcle therof to be extended unto me although of all other creaturez most unwourthy eyther to be called your wyif or subject. My sorowe I can by no wrytyng expresse neverthelesse I trust your most benygn nature will have some respect unto my youthe my ignorans my fraylnez my humble confession of my fawte and playne declaracion of the same referryng me holly unto your graces pitie and mercy. Fyrste at the flateryng and feire perswacions of Mannoke beyng but a yong gyrle suffred hym at soundjy tymez to handle and towche the secrett partz of my body whiche neyther became me with honesty to permytt nor hym to requyre. Also Frauncez Derame by many persuasions procured me to his vicious purpose and obteyned first to lye uppon my bedde with his doblett and hose and after within the bedde and fynally he lay with me nakyd and used me in suche sorte as a man doith his wyf! many and sondry tymez but howe often I knowe not and our company ended almost a yere before the Kynges majestye was maried to my lady Anne of Oleve and contynued not past oon quarter of a yere or litle above. No we the holl trouythe beyng declared unto your majestye I most humble beseche the same to considre the subtyll persuasions of young men and the ignorans and fraylnez of young women. I was so desierous to be taken unto your gracez favor and so blynded with the desier of wordly glorie that T cowde not nor had grace to considre how grett a fawte it was to conceyle my former fawtz from your majestic consideryng that T entended ever duryng my lyff to be feithfull and true unto your majestic after, and neverthlesse the sorowe of my oflensez was ever before myn eyez consideryng the infynyte goodnez of your majestye towardes me from tyme to tyme ever encressyng and not dymynysshyng. No we I referre the judgement of all myn offensez with my lyft and dethe holly unto your most benygne and mercyfull grace to be considered by no justice of your majestiez lawez but onely by your infynyte goodnez pytie compassion and mercye without the whiche I knowledge myselfE worthy of most extreme punnysshement." — Kateryn Howard. Copy, on the same sheet as the Examination following.

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On 01 Nov 1541 [her husband] Henry VIII (age 50) received a warrant for Catherine Howard's (age 18) arrest from Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (age 52) at Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace [Map].

On 07 Nov 1541 Catherine Howard (age 18) was first interrogated by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury (age 52) and John Gresham Lord Mayor (age 46).

On 23 Nov 1541 Catherine Howard (age 18) was stripped of her title as Queen and imprisoned at Syon Abbey [Map].

In Dec 1541 Francis Dereham (age 28) and Thomas Culpepper (age 27) were tried for adultery with Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18). The former for adultery before Henry and Catherine's marriage, the latter for adultery after the marriage.

Both were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. Both men pleaded for mercy. Culpeper, presumably because of his former closeness to the King, received a commuted sentence of beheading only.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1541. 07 Nov 1541. 1325. Cranmer (age 52) to Henry VIII. R. O. St. P. i. 689. C.'s Letters, 409.

Describes his interview with the Queen (age 18), whose state it would have pitied any man's heart to see. She had continued so ever since Cranmer left her. Purposed first to exaggerate her demerits, then declare the justice of the laws, and, lastly, signify the King's mercy; but, for fear she would enter into a frenzy, was fain to begin with the last. When she broke out into any "extreme braydes," told her there was some new fantasy come into her head and asked what it was. She said "this sudden mercy" made her offences seem more heinous. About six o'clock she fell into another "pange" which, she said, was "for the remembrance of the time, for about that time, as she said, Master Hennage was wont to bring her knowledge of your Grace." Lacks time to write everything and leaves it to the bearer, Sir John Dudlay, to relate. Encloses all he can get touching any communication of marriage with Derame (age 28), which she thinks no contract, nor would it be so if carnal copulation had not followed. The reason Mr. Baynton (age 49) sent to the King was to declare her state, and because, after Cranmer left, she began to excuse and temper the things she had said and put her hand to, for she says that what Derame did was by force. "Fro" — (blank space for date).

Hol., pp. 2. Add. Endd.

Note. See The Remains of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Volume 1 261 for the full letter.

                    Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Marquis of Bath. 1541, November 12. Hampton. — "The Quene (age 18) saith that my lady Rocheford (age 36) hath sondry tymez made instans to her to speke with Culpeper (age 27) declaryng hym to beare her good wyll and favour, wheruppon she did at the last graunte he shuld speke with her, my lady of Rocheford affyrmyng that he desiered nothyng elles but to speke with her and that vshe durst swere uppon a booke he ment nothyng but honestye. And so he spake with hir in a litle galery at the steyer hedd at Lyncoln when it was late in the nyght about x or xj of the clok an hower and more, a nother tyme in her bedde chamber at Pomfrett and a nother tyme in my lady Rocheford chamber at York.
                
                    "Item she seith that she wold ever sey to my lady Rocheford when she moved her for hym ' alas madam this wol be spyed oon day and then we be all ondone,' wheronto my lady Rocheford wold sey ' feare not madam lett me alone I warraunt yowe.'
                
                    "Item she seith that when Culpeper was talkyng with hir my lady Rocheford wold many tymez, beyng ever by, sytt sumwhatt farre of or turn hyr bak and she wold sey to her 'For Goddes sake madam even nere us.'

Holinshed's Chronicle. [14 Nov 1541]. The morrow after she [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18)] was conueied to Sion [Map], the [her half-sister] ladie Bainton and certeine gentlewomen and some of hir seruants being appointed to wait vpon hir there, till the kings pleasure might be further knowen. Culpeper (age 27), Diram (age 28), and others were had to the tower. Diram in his examination being charged with the familiaritie which had béene betwixt them, before she was married to the king, confessed that he and she said quéene had made a precontract togither, and that he concealed it for hir preferment in marriage to the king, after he vnderstood the king began to cast a liking towards hir.

The Remains of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Volume 1 261. [07 Nov 1541]. It may please your Majesty to understand, that at my repair unto the Queen's Grace (age 18)^t, I found herein such lamentation and heaviness, as I never saw no creature; so that it would have pitied any man's heart in the world to have looked upon her; and in that vehement rage she continued, as they informed me which be about her, from my departure from her unto my return again; and then I found her, as I do suppose, far entered toward a frenzy, which I feared before my departure from her at my first being with her; and surely, if your Grace's comfort had not come in time, she could have continued no long time in that condition without a frenzy, which, nevertheless, I do yet much suspect to follow hereafter.

Note t. [Catharine Howard. According to the official statement sent on the 14th of Nov. to the English Ambassador in France, the Queen "was spoken withal in it by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Norfolk, the Lord Great Chamberlain of England, and the Bishop of Winchester; to whom at the first she constantly denied it; but the matter being so declared unto her, that she perceived it to be wholly disclosed, the same night she disclosed the whole to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took the confession of the same in writing, subscribed with her hand." Lord Herbert, Life of Hen. VIII. p. 534. The interview described in this Letter of Cranmer's seems to have been subsequent to her first confession, and was perhaps the same at which she signed the paper printed by Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. App. B. iii. No. 72. Much new correspondence on this subject has lately been published in the State Papers, vol. i. p. 689, & c.]

                    Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. [08 Nov 1541]. Is moved to presume this because he hears that the Queen [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18)] is newly accused of being entertained by a gentleman [Francis Dereham (age 28)] while she was in the house of the old duchess of Norfolk, mother of lord William, and because physicians say she cannot bear children. The way taken is the same as with Queen Anne who was beheaded; she has taken no kind of pastime but kept in her chamber, whereas, before, she did nothing but dance and rejoice, and now when the musicians come they are told that it is no more the time to dance. Her brother [[her brother] Charles Howard], gentleman of this King, is banished from Court without reason given; and Norfolk may well be vexed, seeing that she is his brother's daughter, as Queen Anne was his sister's, and he was author of this marriage. Set men to watch Hampton Court where the ladies are, and they reported that yesterday evening several persons went in post thither, including the abp. of Canterbury, who was the first to whom this affair was opened touching the familiarity of the personage abovesaid with the Queen. Is since told that the Queen's jewels are inventoried. As to whom the King will take, everyone thinks it will be the lady he has left, who has conducted herself wisely in her affliction, and is more beautiful than she was, and more regretted and commiserated (plaincte) than Queen Katharine was in like case. Besides, the King shows no inclination to any other lady, and will have some remorse of conscience, and no man in England dare suggest one of such quality as the lady in question, for fear, if she were repudiated, of falling "en quelque gros inconvenient."
                
                    The above written on the 8th.
                
                    Has since learnt that Hampton Court, where the ladies are, is closely guarded and none but officers admitted. Lady Mary has been sent to where the young Prince is still ill.
                
                    All the prelates who are not commonly heard in affairs of state, are summoned hither; which should be for some cause like marriage. A gentleman of the King's chamber says it will be concluded that the lady shall be no longer queen. But nothing is certain except that these troubles are on her account.
                
                    French. Modern transcript, pp. 7. Headed: 11 Nov. 1541.

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Holinshed's Chronicle. [13 Nov 1541]. Wherevpon, the thirteenth of Nouember, sir Thomas Wriothesleie knight the kings secretarie, came to Hampton court vnto the said quéene [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 18)], and called all hir ladies, gentlewomen, and seruants into hir great chamber, & there openlie in presence of them all, declared hir offenses committed in abusing of hir bodie before hir mariage, & therwith he discharged hir houshold.

Hall's Chronicle. 10 Dec 1541. At this tyme the Quene (age 18) late before maried to the kyng called Quene Katheryne, was accused to the Kyng of dissolute livyng, before her mariage, with Fraunces Diram (age 28), and that was not secretely, but many knewe it. And sithe her Mariage, she was vehemently suspected with Thomas Culpeper (age 27), whiche was brought to her Chamber at Lyncolne, in August laste, in the Progresse tyme, by the Lady of Rocheforde (age 36), and were there together alone, from a leven of the Clocke at Nighte, tyll foure of the Clocke in the Mornyng, and to hym she gave a Chayne, and a riche Cap. Upon this the kyng removed to London, and she was sent to Sion [Map], and there kepte close, but yet served as Quene. And for the offence confessed by Culpeper and Diram, thei were put to death at Tiborne [Map], the tenth daie of December.

On 13 Feb 1542 Queen Catherine Howard (age 19) and Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford (age 37) were beheaded at Tower Green [Map]. Henry Howard (age 26) attended. They were both buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map].

Mary Boleyn (age 43) was the heir of Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford being the sister of her deceased husband George Boleyn Viscount Rochford.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. [10 Feb 1542]. Forgot, when writing on the 10th, of the Queen's [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] trial and condemnation, to mention that after the condemnation passed against her in Parliament, the King, wishing to proceed with moderation, had sent to her certain Councillors and others of the said Parliament, to offer her to come and defend her own case in the Parliament. This she declined, submitting entirely to the King's mercy and owning that she deserved death. Some days later, on the afternoon of the 10th [Feb 1542], she was, with some resistance, conveyed by river to the Tower. The lord Privy Seal, with a number of Privy Councillors and servants went first in a great barge; then came the Queen with three or four men and as many ladies, in a small covered barge; then the Duke of Suffolk, in a great barge, with a company of his men. On their arrival at the Tower, the lords landed first; then the Queen, in black velvet, and they paid her as much honour as when she was reigning.

Wriothesley's Chronicle. 10 Feb 1542. The 10th of February the Quene (age 19) was had by water from Sion to the Tower of London, the Duke of Suffolke (age 58), the Lord Privie Seale, and the Lord Great Chamberlaine (age 59) havinge the conveyannce of her.

Holinshed's Chronicle. 10 Feb 1542. On the tenth of Februarie, the quéene [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] was conueied from Sion to the towre by water, the duke of Suffolke, the lord priuie seale, and the lord great chamberleine, hauing the conduction of hir.

Statutes of the Realm Volume 3 Chapter 21. The Bill of Atteynder of Mestres Katherin Hawarde (age 19) late Quene of England, and divers other psonnes her complices.

Note 1. From the Original Act in the Parliament Office in the Bundle of the Thirty-seventh Year of this Reign. See the Note at the Beginning of this Year; and Note to Chapter XX.

Note 2. This Act was given assent on 11 Feb 1542.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. On Sunday the 12th [Feb 1542], towards evening, she [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] was told to prepare for death, for she was to die next day. That evening she asked to have the block brought in to her, that she might know how to place herself; which was done, and she made trial of it.

Hall's Chronicle. 13 Feb 1542. To the whiche peticions the kyng graunted, saiyng that he thanked the Commons, that thei tooke his sorowe to bee theirs: Whereupon the Quene (age 19) and the Lady Rocheforde (age 37), were attainted by bothe the houses.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 13 Feb 1542. And the 13th day of February was the Queen Katherine (age 19) and Lady Rocheford (age 37) be-heddyd within the tower, and there burryd.

                    Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. 13 Feb [1542]. R. O. Kaulek, 388. (Full abstract.) 100. Marillac To Francis I.
                
                    The Scottish ambassadors yesterday came to report that they had received this King's answer about the interview; which was in substance what he wrote on the 5th, viz., that this King would willingly grant an interview for two, but not for three. As they are sending the Cardinal of St. Andrews the said answer, which was given them in writing, Marillac could do no less than forward their letters with these; to which there is nothing to add but that Parliament has condemned this Queen (age 19) and the lady of Rochefort (age 37) to death. Her execution was expected this week, for last night she was brought from Syon to the Tower, but as she weeps, cries, and torments herself miserably, without ceasing, it is deferred for three or four days, to give her leisure to recover, and "penser au faict de sa conscience." As to the old duchess of Norfolk, some say she shall die, others that she shall keep perpetual prison, like her son lord William and daughter the countess of Brizchwatre. A few days will show. 
                
                    All her goods are already confiscated, and are of marvellous value, 400,000 or 500,000 cr., for ladies in this country succeed for life to the moveables of their deceased husbands. Norfolk is greatly interested, since the greater part came to her through his late father; yet the times are such that he dare not show that the affair touches him, but approves all that is done.
                
                    P.S.—13 Feb.: After writing the above, was informed that to-day, Monday, 13th inst., the condemned ladies should be executed; and, indeed, about nine o'clock in the morning, this Queen first, and afterwards the lady of Rochefort, within the Tower, had their heads cut off with an axe, after the manner of the country. The Queen was so weak that she could hardly speak, but confessed in few words that she had merited a hundred deaths for so offending the King who had so graciously treated her. The lady of Rochefort said as much in a long discourse of several faults which she had committed in her life. It is not yet said who will be Queen; but the common voice is that this King will not be long without a wife, for the great desire he has to have further issue.
                
                    French. Modern transcript, pp. 3. Headed: Londres, 11 Fevrier.

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Holinshed's Chronicle. 13 Feb 1542. And so on the thirtéenth daie, those two ladies [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19) and Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford (age 37)] were beheaded on the greene within the towre with an ax, where they confessed their offenses, and died repentant.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. Next morning [13 Feb 1542], about 7, those of the Council except Suffolk, who was ill, and Norfolk, were at the Tower, accompanied by various lords and gentlemen, such as Surrey (Norfolk's son and the Queen's cousin), and she [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] was beheaded in the same spot where Anne Boleyn had been executed. Her body was then covered [with a black cloak]. and her ladies took it away. Then Lady Rochford (age 37) was brought, who had shown symptoms of madness till they told her she must die. Neither she nor the Queen spoke much on the scaffold; they only confessed their guilt and prayed for the King's welfare.

Wriothesley's Chronicle. 13 Feb 1542. And the 13th of February, beinge Monday, the sayd Quene, Katharine (age 19) put otherwise Lady Haward, was beheaded within the Tower on the grene, and my Lady of Rochforde (age 37) allso; the Lordes of the Counsell, with other noblemen, and certeine commoners, beinge there present at the execution, she beinge afore condempned by the body of the whole Parliament of high treason.

                    Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. 15 Feb [1542]. R. O. 106. Ottwell Johnson To His Brother, John Johnson1.
                
                    London, 15 Feb. 1541:—Wrote on Sunday last. Describes purchase of wine and herrings for his mother, and some commercial dealings with Wm. Gifford, Adrian of Dunkirke and Bartram de la Salle. From Calais hears nothing of his brother's suit to lord Gray.
                
                    "And for news from hence, know ye, that, even according to my writing on Sunday last, I see the Queen (deceased) and the lady Retcheford (deceased) suffer within the Tower, the day following; whose souls (I doubt not) be with God, for they made the most godly and Christians' end that ever was heard tell of (I think) since the world's creation, uttering their lively faith in the blood of Christ only, with wonderful patience and constancy to the death, and, with goodly words and steadfast countenance, they desired all Christian people to take regard unto their worthy and just punishment with death, for their offences against God heinously from their youth upward, in breaking of all his commandments, and also against the King's royal majesty very dangerously; wherefor they, being justly condemned (as they said), by the laws of the realm and Parliament, to die, required the people (I say) to take example at them for amendment of their ungodly lives, and gladly obey the King in all things, for whose preservation they did heartily pray, and willed all people so to do, commending their souls to God and earnestly calling for mercy upon Him, whom I beseech to give us grace with such faith, hope, and charity, at our departing out of this miserable world, to come to the fruition of his Godhead in joy everlasting. Amen."
                
                    Desires that Mr. and Mrs. Cave and his wife may share this news, which is surely "well worth the knowledge."
                
                    Large paper, pp. 2. Add.: merchant of the Staple at Calais. At Tykeford.
                
                    Note 1. Extracts from this letter are printed in Ellis's Orig. Letters, 1st ser. II. 128.

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                    On 12 Jul 1543 [her former husband] Henry VIII (age 52) and Catherine Parr (age 30) were married at Hampton Court Palace [Map]. She was crowned Queen Consort England. His sixth and last marriage, her third marriage; her previous husband had died four months before. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
                
                    Henry's two daughters [her former step-daughter] Mary (age 27) and [her former step-daughter] Elizabeth (age 9) attended, as did his niece Margaret Douglas Countess Lennox (age 27).
                
                    Catherine's sister Anne (age 28) attended with her husband William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 42).

On 28 Jan 1547 [her former husband] Henry VIII (age 55) died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son [her former step-son] Edward (age 9) succeeded VI King of England. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.

Thomas Wendy (age 46) attended the King. He was one of the witnesses to the King's last will and testament, for which he received £100.

                    Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. II. Acts printed in the Statutes at Large, but not entered on the Parliament Roll, viz.:—
                
                    Cap. 2 [o.n. 2]. Buying of fish upon the sea.
                
                    C. 5 [o.n. 5]. Great horses.
                
                    C. 8 [o.n. 8]. Against conjurations and witchcrafts and sorcery and enchantments.
                
                    C. 14 [o.n. 14]. Prophecies upon declaration of names, arms, badges, &c.
                
                    C. 15 [o.n. 15]. Sanctuary of Manchester to be abolished, and the sanctuary men transferred to West Chester, which is to be a sanctuary.
                
                    C. 21 [o.n. 33 in the year 37 Henry VIII.].5 Attainder of Catharine Howard and others.—Catharine Howard whom the King took to wife is proved to have been not of pure and honest living before her marriage, and the fact that she has since taken to her service one Francis Dereham, the person with whom she "used that vicious life before," and has taken as chamberer a woman who was privy to her naughty life before, is proof of her will to return to her old abominable life. Also she has confederated with Lady Jane Rocheford, widow, late wife of Sir George Boleyn, late Lord Rochford, to "bring her vicious and abominable purpose to pass" with Thomas Culpeper, late one of the King's Privy Chamber, and has met Culpeper in "a secret and vile place," at 11 o'clock at night, and remained there with him until 3 a.m., with only "that bawd, the lady Jane Rocheford." For these treasons, Culpeper and Dereham have been convicted and executed, and the Queen and Lady Rochford stand indicted. The indictments of such as have lately suffered are hereby approved, and the said Queen and Lady Rochford are, by authority of this Parliament, convicted and attainted of high treason, and shall suffer accordingly; and the said Queen, lady Rocheford, Culpeper, and Dereham shall forfeit to the Crown all possessions which they held on 25 Aug. 33 Henry VIII. The Royal assent to this Act shall be given by commission. And where Agnes duchess of Norfolk, widow, and [her aunt] Catharine Countess of Bridgewater, wife of Henry Earl of Bridgewater, are indicted of misprision of treason for concealing the first treasons, and lord [her uncle] William Howard, lady Margaret Howard his wife, Edward Walgrave, Kath. Tylney, Alice Restwold, Joan Bulmer, Anne Howard, Robert  Damporte, Malyn Tylney, Marg. Bennet, and William Assheby have been convicted of the said misprision, all of them shall forfeit their goods to the King, and be imprisoned for life, and the King shall take the revenues of their lands from 1 Oct. 33 Henry VIII. for term of their lives. To avoid doubts in future, it is declared that the Royal assent given by commission shall be valid in all cases hereafter, that any lightness of the Queen for the time being may be revealed to the King or his Council, and that an unchaste woman marrying the King shall be guilty of high treason.
                
                    C. 25 [o.n. 23]. Denization of children of Thomas Poyntz, of London, grocer, William Castelyn, of London, mercer, and John Dymock, late gentleman usher, born beyond sea of wives who were not denizens.
                
                    C. 26 [o.n. 24]. Certain crafty conveyances executed by Sir John Shelton, dec., declared null.
                
                    C. 28 [o.n. 26]. That the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of Augmentations, the Chancellor of First Fruits and Tenths, the master of Wards and Liveries, each of the General Surveyors, the treasurer of the Chamber, the treasurer of Augmentations, and the groom of the Stole, may each retain one chaplain holding one benefice with cure of souls and not resident upon it.
                
                    C. 29 [o.n. 27]. Religious persons of houses and monasteries which have been translated from their old corporations into new corporations, without being suppressed, to enjoy the benefits of the Act of 31 Henry VIII., enabling religious persons in houses suppressed to sue and be sued, &c.
                
                    C. 30 [o.n. 28]. Authority of the dean and chapter of Lichfield in making leases, &c.
                
                    C. 31 [o.n. 29]. Bishoprics of Chester and of the Isle of Man transferred from the jurisdiction of Canterbury to that of York.
                
                    C. 32 [o.n. 30]. Whitegate made a parish church separate from the parish of Over.
                
                    C. 33 [o.n. 31]. Privileges of Kingston-upon-Hull.
                
                    C. 34 [o.n. 32]. The two annual fairs granted to King's Lynn by pat.
                
                    7 July 29 Henry VIII. taken away, because of the regrating of salt fish practised there, to the detriment of Styrbridge fair, Ely fair, and other fairs in cos. Camb. and Hunts.
                
                    C. 35 [o.n. 33]. Water conduits of Gloucester.
                
                    C. 39 [o.n. 37]. Establishment of the Court of General Surveyors.
                
                    Note. 5. Received the royal assent, 11 February, Lords' Journals.

Biography of Queen Catherine Howard of England 1523-1542

Royal Ancestors of Queen Catherine Howard of England 1523-1542

Ancestors of Queen Catherine Howard of England 1523-1542