An Audience with Katharine of Aragon

About

The story begins when Katharine was born into one of the most powerful and warlike families in Europe, the youngest of five children born to Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille. Many in her family died young and madness showed itself too. Katharine arrived in England to marry Arthur, Prince of Wales, of the new Tudor dynasty. Within months of the marriage he was dead and she was effectively abandoned for six years with little money and poor care.

When the magnificent Henry VIII leapt to the throne in 1509, he married his brother’s widow and Katharine became Queen. Pregnancy after pregnancy failed and one boy died within weeks of his birth causing dismay throughout the land. One child of the union survived, a daughter, who would become Queen Mary I. Henry’s attention turned to Anne Boleyn in an attempt to get a male heir and Katharine, after more than 20 years of marriage, had to endure a divorce. She lived in isolation, near poverty and ill health. She was fifty years old.

Lesley Smith is Curator of Tutbury Castle. She is well-known for her engaging costumed performances as historical characters. She is a medical historian, holding an MPhil in Tudor medicine, and is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a Member of the Society of Medical Writers. Lesley was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree in 2010 by the University of Derby for “Services to History in the Community”. She has 38 academic publications to her name and has appeared in over 120 television programmes. 

Queen Katharine's arrival will be heralded by period music from Gareth Williams.

Doors will open at 7.00pm and drinks will be on sale. The performance will begin at 7.30pm.