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Kathryn Howard Research Paper

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Kathryn Howard was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard, a younger brother of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk. She was also first cousin to Anne Boleyn. Kathryn came to court at about the age of 19 as a lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves and there was no doubt that the spirited young girl caught Henry’s attention. Sixteen days after he was free of Anne, Henry took his fifth wife, Kathryn Howard, on July 28, 1540. Henry was 49 and his bride was no older than 19. King Henry lavished gifts on Kathryn and called her his ‘rose without thorn’ and the ‘very jewel of womanhood’. Less than a year into Kathryn marriage the rumors of her infidelity began. In a way, one couldn’t blame her for seeking the company of handsome young men closer to her age. But for that to happen even only in courtly flirtations, was dangerous for a Queen, especially one who came from a powerful family with a lot of enemies. By November 1541, there was enough evidence against the Queen that Archbishop Cranmer informed the King of Kathryn’s misconduct. At first Henry did not believe the accusations, but he agreed to allow further investigations into the matter. There was enough evidence and …show more content…

It was around this time that Katherine was noticed by not only the King, but also Thomas Seymour brother of the late Queen Jane Seymour. Katherine expressed her desire to marry Thomas Seymour after Latimer’s death, but the King’s request for her hand was one that Katherine felt it was her duty to accept. Katherine and Henry VIII were married on July 12th in the Queen’s closet at Hampton Court Palace in a small ceremony attended by about 20 people. Katherine was interested in the reformed faith, making her enemies with the conservatives of Henry’s court. It was Katherine’s influence with the King and the Henry’s failing health that led to a plot against her in 1546 by the conservative

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