Tragic Facts About Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's Doomed Fifth Wife
Catherine Howard reigned for barely a year-and-a-half. She seemingly left behind no children or legacies—except for one huge tragedy.
She was the fifth wife of King Henry VIII, and only the second English queen to ever be executed for adultery and treason. The first, Anne Boleyn, has gone down in infamy. But Catherine's history is even darker.
1. Keep It in the Family
King Henry VIII definitely had a type. Not only were all of his six wives distantly related, Catherine Howard was actually very close kin to his other doomed queen, the infamous Anne Boleyn. The women were first cousins, sharing blood as well as a bloody ends. Yet in many ways, Anne Boleyn's infamous fate was nothing compared to Catherine's downfall.
2. Good-Time Gal
Because Medieval records are notoriously lax, we don't always have reliable information about the personalities of Henry VIII's queens. Catherine Howard, however, is a total exception.
Practically everyone agreed that she was vivacious and lively, and no one ever described her as devout or bookish. In other words, this girl could flirt.
3. Moving on up
Catherine ended up meeting and snagging King Henry in an utterly scandalous way. Catherine actually served as the lady-in-waiting to Henry's fourth queen, Anne of Cleves. The king didn't really take to his new German bride, but he definitely liked Anne’s pretty and young maid, Catherine Howard. So he set about getting what he wanted.
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4. Pay Day
Henry claimed he had never known "the like to any woman" when it came to Catherine, and within months of starting her career at court, she was reaping the benefits of being a king’s mistress. Sure, Henry was middle-aged and she was only 17 years old, but she and her family received fabulous gifts in return. Still, historians say there's a darker side to story. 