One of Six

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 12 August 1931, Page 10

One of Six

Who: QUEEN CATHERINE PARE, Where : England. When : 1512-15 IS.

Why famous : The sixth and last wife of Henry VIII., the first Protestant Queen of England. She was born at Kendal Castle, Westmoreland, which fortress had been in the possession of her family from Norman times. Her father, Sir Thomas Parr, since he held certain high offices at court, was often in residence there. The child was left entirely to the care of her mother, that lady being excellently qualified to foster her child’s natural abilities. Catherine thus read and wrote Latin and Greek; she had no less than a mastery of her own English tongue ; she was a skilled needlewoman. Before Catherine became Queen, sho had been twice married to men of mature years who were fathers of grown children ; and all this took place before sho was 20. It was probably during her second widowhood and while she was courted by Sir Thomas Seymour, that Catherine was converted to Protestantism. Someone referred to her at that time as the “grave, learned and devout Lady Latimer,” to whose house came Miles Coverdale and in whose chamber of state daily sermons were preached. Catherine seems to have embraced tho

doctrines of the Reformation quite sincerely and out of a deep conviction because she was willing to risk her life for her faith. Marrying such a taking and, as matters shaped themKing as Henry was 'no light underselves, : the one great danger which overtook Catherine as Queen was the threat of the charge of heresy on tho scorq of her religion. Upon her marriage with the King Catherine became for the third time a stepmother. Miracuously, with tact anil affection, she treated the King’s children, .Mary and Elizabeth and little Edward; through her their rival interests were reconciled and tho princesses recovered their standing fit court. During most of their life together, even the fickle and excitable Henry continued to value the virtues of his Queen. While he was absent on his French campaign, she ruled most ably as Queen Regent. Henry found that here was a woman whom he needed —a iierson of amiable temper and sound sense. Left a widow for the third time, Catherine, in retirement at her Thames-side house at Chelsea, received and acceded to the advances of her former suitor, Sir Thomas Seymour.