Catherine of Aragon an expat Queen of England


As expats, most of us have to learn to adapt very quickly to new customs, traditions and values of our new country, without mentioning the obstacles that a different language can bring. Tat was exactly what Catherine of Aragon did, and with such grace that she be- came one of the most loved queens of England, past and present. At Peterborough Cathedral, where she is buried, every year they celebrate a festival to honour her life. Te inscription on her tomb reads: “A queen cherished by the English people for her loyalty, piety, courage and compassion.” Even though the festival has passed, I would like to celebrate her with this article. Aged only three, Catherine was betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales and her destiny changed to that of Queen of England. Her education and training in how to fulfil such a job started nearly immediately. But, unfortunately, she was only taught basic English, the belief being that Latin was sufficient to move around the court.


Portrait of a noblewoman 1502, thought to be a young Catherine of Aragon by Michael Sittow. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.


www.focus-info.org FOCUS The Magazine 21


Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon before-Papal Legates at Blackfriars, 1529 by Frank O. Salisbury 1910


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40