Hey, this is Heather from the Renaissance English History Podcast, and this is your Tudor Minute for June 25.
Today in 1503 Catherine of Aragon was betrothed to Prince Henry of England. Of course this is a year or so after the death of her first husband, Henry’s brother, Arthur. Catherine’s status would be up in the air for another six years as her father, and father in law haggled about money and dowries, and her fortunes seemed to be so easily affected by foreign policy. Only in 1509, after Henry became king, did he finally marry Catherine. It was a long six years as Catherine was essentially trapped in England, dependent on her Tudor in laws, needing to sell off her dowry of plate and jewelry in order to pay her maids, and with an incredibly uncertain future. What a relief it must have been to have finally married Henry.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com.