1536: The End of Two Tudor Queens

Catherine of Aragon's tomb in Peterborough Cathedral. Picture shared for public use on Wikimedia Commons by the photographer, TTaylor.

On this day in Tudor history in 1536, two significant events happened.

The body of Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was laid to rest in Peterborough Cathedral.

Also on the same day of the very same year, Henry VIII's second queen, Elizabeth I's mother, Anne Boleyn, suffered her final miscarriage. A mere four months later she would be dead, her head severed from her body by the executioner's sword.

"Anne Boleyn receiving proof of Henry's passion for Jane Seymour", a 19th century engraving from the novel, Windsor Castle. Picture acquired via Inor19 on Flickr.

These two queens, adversaries by necessity in life, would be united in death, as both were ill-treated and discarded by the same man, Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII.

The Coronation of Henry VII

The crowned Tudor Rose crest. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

On this day in Tudor history in 1485, the Tudor dynasty officially began when Henry Tudor was crowned King of England, following his defeat of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

A stained glass showing Richard III and Henry VII. St. James Church, Sutton Cheney. Photo shared for public use on Wikimedia Commons by John Taylor.

The day was not only a public celebration, but a personal one, as Henry VII was reunited at Westminster Abbey with his mother, Margaret Beaufort, whom he had not seen for 17 years.

A portrait of Margaret Beaufort. By Maynard Waynwyk, before 1523. In the collection of the Marquess of Salisbury, Hatfield House. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

To celebrate the birth of the Tudor dynasty, view our Henry VII & Elizabeth of York Pinterest board.