Katharine of Aragon, Spanish princess : 'I am not as simple as I may seem' / Heather R. Darsie.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Darsie, Heather R., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Queens--England--Biography.

Queens.

Catherine, of Aragon, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1485-1536.

Catherine.

Great Britain--History--Henry VIII, 1509-1547.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

320 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), genealogical tables ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Stroud, Gloucestershire : Amberley Publishing, 2025.

Summary:

"On 4 November 1501, a fifteen-year-old girl arrived in England to marry the fifteen-year-old prince of that kingdom. Their parents, especially the boy's, hoped that the marriage would secure the future of their family on the throne. Much excitement surrounded the save arrival of Katharine of Aragon from Spain to England. She and her husband-to-be, Arthur Tudor,. were engaged years before and spent their time exchanging letters in Latin, the only common language they shared. Katharine of Aragon has of course always been a fascinating historical figure as the first wife of the infamous Henry VIII. This book provides a new perspective on Katharine because it includes far more background on her Spanish upbringing and her Spanish culture, and how that continued to define her in England. Heather Darsie uses rich primary sources, such as the anonymous Receyt of Ladie Kateryne, which have been infrequently referenced in other biographies. In this, Heather's multilingual abilities -- especially her fluent Spanish -- are put to good use. No one, for example, has considered the rippling impact of terminating Katharine's marriage on the Trastamara and Habsburg dynasties in Europe. Katherine was as important abroad as she was in England. Her mother Isabella was a usurper and so was Henry VII; their attempts to 'legitimise' each other are examined here for the first time. How relevant to the history of England is Katharine's Spanish background? Her daughter is Mary I."--Front flap of book jacket.

Contents:

Prologue: The last Ivrean Kings of Castile

Catalina de Trastámara y Trastámara, infanta de Aragón y Castilla. Henry the bastard, founder of Katharine of Aragon's family

John I of Castile and León, and his sons

The weak kings

Hapless kings, ruthless kings

From weak kings to strong queens

The most Catholic and fearsome monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand

A new world

Transfiguration, apocalypse, and limbo. Anglo-Spanish relations

From Catalina de Castilla y Aragón to Katherine of Aragon

Arthur and Katharine

Loosing the seven seals of the apocalypse in England and the two Spains

Katharine in limbo

From bad to worse

Katharine of Aragon, the last Spanish queen consort of England and France. Queen at last

The final years

Epilogue: The wedding of Mary I of England

Appendix: A joyful meditation.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 303-309) and index.

ISBN:

1398109711

9781398109711

OCLC:

1428894071

Publisher Number:

90103984424

CIPO000205869