Saturday 13 February 2021

The sad end of the House of Tudor's most tragic queen

 

On a cold winter's day, the teenager who had once been Queen of England met a tragic fate within the walls of her former realm's greatest fortress. Catherine Howard, consort to Henry VIII for 15 brief months before her downfall, was executed at the Tower of London on February 13th 1542. Her title of queen had been removed almost three months earlier as she faced allegations of betraying the king through adultery. And on that grey morning, the final part of her story unfolded.


Hampton Court Palace was the setting for the dramatic downfall of Catherine Howard

Henry had once been devoted to her but he hadn't seen her since she was dragged from one of his favourite homes as her downfall began.  Catherine Howard was in splendid residence at Hampton Court Palace when, on November 1st 1541, Henry knelt to pray in the Chapel Royal. It was there that he was presented with evidence that the young wife he had publicly adored had been unfaithful to him. The chapel doors closed with the king still inside while guards were sent to Catherine's rooms and she was told she was under arrest. 


Catherine Howard was taken to the Tower of London on February 10th 1542

Terror immediately descended on her and as preparations were made to take her into custody, she broke free and ran through the long gallery separating her from her husband. Her screams echoed through the famous palace as she tried to get Henry's attention in a frantic bid to remain free. She failed. Catherine was taken from Hampton Court that same day and would never see Henry again. She was imprisoned in Syon Abbey for three months before being taken to the Tower of London where she was executed on February 13th 1542.


Catherine Howard, Queen of England, July 28th 1540 - November 23rd 1541

Despite that, her ghost is said to haunt Hampton Court. For centuries, people have claimed to see and hear a young woman screaming as she runs along the corridor where Catherine made her bid for freedom. It is now called the Haunted Gallery.


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