Clips focusing on the early years of Henry VIII’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon. Focuses on reasons behind the marriage and her first pregnancies which initially resulted in different ways but eventually came to the same devastating conclusion.

Interestingly, Katherine’s daughter Mary would also suffer confusion in regards to pregnancy. Katherine appears to have had an infection immediately after her first miscarriage which gave off the appearance that she was pregnant and she proceeded to enter her confinement. Throughout her marriage to Philip of Spain, Mary would perceive herself to be pregnant twice; in both circumstances it looks likely that she suffered from Pseudocyesis (false pregnancy). Like her mother she ‘took to her chambers’ and no child arrived. Unlike her mother though Mary proceeded to have no children and was probably never pregnant.

Prince Henry, the child born to Katherine and Henry on New Year’s Day 1511, was their longest surviving son. His birth was commemorated with various festivities. One such festivity, a joust, was recorded in the 60ft long Westminster Tournament Scroll from 1511:

http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/images/HenryVIII04joust.jpg

You can see Henry on his horse whilst Katherine is in the foreground resting with her ladies highlighting her recent withdrawal from the birthing chamber.

Duration : 0:8:53


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