The Life of Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's Final Wife

Catherine Parr is born

1512

Catherine (sometimes alternatively spelled as Katherine) Parr was born in England in 1512, and was the oldest daughter of Maud Green and Sir Thomas Parr. She was raised alongside her siblings and was educated alongside her brother. She was fluent in several languages, was an accomplished rider, music lover, and above all, a devout Protestant.
Katherine Parr. Historic Royal Palaces. (n.d.).
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr marries Edward Borough

1529

Catherine Parr marries her first husband, Edward Borough, the son of a baron in 1529. They lived at the Manor of Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire for the remainder of their marriage.
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr's first husband dies

1533

Catherine's husband, Sir Edward Borough died just four years after their wedding, and Catherine becomes a widow at the age of 21. This marriage did not produce an heir, so a second marriage would need to be procured.
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr marries John Neville

1534

Catherine marries her second husband, John Neville, the third Baron Latimer and Catherine's second cousin. This marriage ensured Catherine's financial security, and gave Lord Latimer's children from his previous marriages a maternal figure. They resided in Snap Castle in Yorkshire.
Taylor, A. (2017)

John Neville dies

1543

Lord Latimer and Catherine began to spend more time in court, and lived in London in 1542 so Latimer could attend parliament. At the end of 1542, while living in London he fell ill, and died quickly in early 1543.
Katherine Parr. Historic Royal Palaces. (n.d.).

Catherine joins Princess Mary's household

1543

After the death of her second husband, Catherine formed a close friendship with King Henry VIII's eldest daughter, Princess Mary. She would quickly find herself a member of the Princess' household, and quickly fell in love with the late queen, Jane Seymour's, brother, Thomas. However, she also caught the eye of King Henry VIII, and the king quickly sent Thomas away from court on business in order to court Catherine.
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine marries King Henry VIII

Jul 12, 1543

Catherine Parr marries King Henry VIII on July 12, 1543. She acted as a maternal figure for King Henry's children, and ensured all of them had an education.
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine's First Book is Published

Apr 25, 1544

Catherine published her first book, Plans or Prayers, in 1544. This is the first book to be published by a woman, in English. She went on to write two more books, Prayers or Meditations in 1545, and The Lamentation of a Sinner in 1547.
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr marries her fourth husband

1547

Catherine marries Thomas Seymour in May of 1547 in secret. This caused a scandal at court, and created a rift between Catherine and her stepson, the newly crowned King Edward VI. The dowager queen quickly became pregnant with her first biological child.
Taylor, A. (2017)

King Henry VIII dies

Jan 28, 1547

King Henry VIII died, leaving Catherine widowed once again. Thomas Seymour had returned to court, and she quickly began a whirlwind romance with him, mere weeks after the death of the king.
Katherine Parr. Historic Royal Palaces. (n.d.).
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr has her first child

Aug 20, 1548

Catherine Parr gives birth to her only biological child, Mary Seymour at Sudeley Castle in Gloustershire.
Katherine Parr. Historic Royal Palaces. (n.d.).
Taylor, A. (2017)

Catherine Parr dies

Sep 5, 1548

Catherine fell ill after giving birth to her daughter, Mary, and died on September 5, 1548. She was buried two days later, and was the first Protestant to have their funeral performed completely in English.
Ponti, C. (2021)
Taylor, A. (2017)