Queen Katherine Howard – Fifth Wife of Henry VIII

Queen Katherine Howard, the ill fated fifth wife of King Henry VIII, is not considered a particularly important figure in English history. She was related to Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, and had a fairly typical patrician upbringing. Never being considered truly intelligent she was, never the less, thought to be quite attractive, lively and adventurous. Queen Katherine Howard was married to the King almost immediately following the annulment of his marriage to Queen Anne of Cleves.

Queen Katherine Howard was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard and Joyce Culpeper. Her exact date of birth isn’t known but it is believed to fall between the years of 1520 and 1527. She was related to Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, by way of her aunt, Elizabeth Howard, who was Anne Boleyn’s mother. Queen Katherine Howard was born to a large aristocratic family who’s patriarch, being a younger son, suffered from financial troubles. As was typical for the time, Katherine was sent to live with a relative, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, Agnes Tilney.

Poor aristocratic families often sent their children off to be educated and trained in other house holds but Queen Katherine Howard had the misfortune of being sent to Lambeth who’s owner, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, took little interest in her wards and attendants. Her education suffered as a result but Queen Katherine Howard could still read and write at a time when many were illiterate. It was at Lambeth that she met her music teacher, Henry Mannox, who began a sexual relationship with her when she was between the ages of 11 and 16. This relationship lasted for only a few years and ended when she was pursued by the Duchess’ secretary Francis Dereham.

It would appear that Queen Katherine Howard and Francis Dereham were quite in love as they referred to each other as “Husband” and “Wife”. Katherine took on many of the duties usually relegated to an aristocrat’s wife such as the care of his fortune. This relationship was anything but secret and was well known through out the Duchess’ house. The affair between Queen Katherine Howard and Francis Dereham ended in 1539 when the Duchess was informed of their actions. It is believed that they had intentions to marry, however, as they agreed to what was known as a “precontract” which would be analogous to a modern day engagement.

When her education was completed, Queen Katherine Howard was sent to the court of Henry VIII to serve as a lady-in-waiting to the King’s fourth wife, Queen Anne of Cleves. Henry had been disappointed with Anne from the beginning, neglecting to even consummate the marriage, and soon took notice of young Queen Katherine Howard. While Katherine’s relatives generally felt she was an unfit consort to the king owing to her young age and lack of proper education, there were other factors at play. The execution of Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, had spoiled the reputation of the Howard family who were eager to regain their standing. In addition, the Howards were devoutly Catholic and saw Queen Katherine Howard as an opportunity to restore their faith to England. It was for these reasons that the Howards nurtured the King’s interest in young Queen Katherine Howard.

Queen Katherine Howard was wed to the King in 1540, merely three weeks after the annulment of his marriage to Anne of Cleves. Henry’s popularity had faltered from prolonged war with France and the tribulation of the English Reformation but his young, vivacious new wife brought him much happiness. Queen Katherine Howard was a devoted wife who’s motto was “No other will but his”. Not all was well, however, as the now obese 51 year old Henry rather repulsed the young Queen Katherine Howard who began an affair with a courtier named Thomas Culpeper.

It was her past that truly sealed the fate of Queen Katherine Howard as many who knew of her affairs at Lambeth began to request favors in exchange for silence. Katherine began to appoint some of these people to her household, the most damning of all being both Henry Mannox and Francis Dereham, her former lovers. Word of her past relationships eventually reached the King who, after some protesting, accused her of treason. Henry had her lovers executed and Queen Katherine Howard was imprisoned in the Tower of London. She was beheaded at 7 a.m. on the 13th of February and buried near Anne Boleyn. This was a tragic end to the life of such a young and vivacious queen.