MARY RADCLYFFE, Countess of Sussex (d. 1557), daughter of Sir John Arundell of Lanherne (d. 1545), and wife of the Lord Great Chamberlain Robert Radclyffe, 1st Earl of Sussex (d. 1542). Subsequently, Countess of Arundel.
LADY MARGARET HOWARD (c. 1515–1581), Queen Catherine’s aunt by marriage, daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage of Glamorgan, and wife of Lord William Howard (d. 1573). Subsequently, Baroness Howard of Effingham.
* ELIZABETH FIENNES DE CLINTON, Lady Clinton (c. 1500–1540), daughter of John Blount (d. 1531), widow of Gilbert, 1st Baron Tailboys (d. 1530), wife of Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Baron Clinton and Saye (d. 1585), and mother of the late Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset (d. 1536).
The Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Privy Chamber
ELEANOR MANNERS, Countess of Rutland (d. c. 1551), daughter of Sir William Paston (d. 1554), and wife of the Queen’s chamberlain Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland (d. 1543).
JANE BOLEYN, Dowager Viscountess Rochford (c. 1505–ex. 1542), daughter of Henry Parker, 10th Baron Morley (d. 1556), and widow of George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford (ex. 1536).
LADY KATHERINE EDGECOMBE (d. 1553), daughter of Sir John St. John of Bletsoe, widow of Sir Gruffydd ap Rhys of Carmarthen (d. 1521) and of Sir Piers, sometimes given as Peter, Edgecombe (d. 1539).
LADY ISABELLA BAYNTON (d. 1573), Queen Catherine’s sister, daughter of Sir Ralph Leigh and Lady Joyce Howard (née Culpepper, prev. Leigh), and wife of the Queen’s vice chamberlain Sir Edward Baynton (d. 1544).
MRS. ANNE HERBERT (c. 1513–1552), daughter of Sir Thomas Parr (d. 1517), wife of William Herbert (d. 1570), and sister of the future Queen consort, Katherine Parr (d. 1548). Subsequently, Countess of Pembroke.
MRS. ELIZABETH TYRWHITT (d. 1578), daughter of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge (d. 1531) and wife of Robert Tyrwhitt (d. 1572).
MRS. JOYCE LEE (d. c. 1586), daughter of Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley (d. 1531), widow of Sir John Leighton (d. 1532), and wife of Richard Lee (d. c. 1558).
MRS. SUSANNA GILMYN (d. 1554), daughter of Gerard Horenbout (d. 1541), widow of John Parker (d. 1537), and wife of John Gilmyn (d. 1558).
The Ladies and Gentlewomen Attendant
ELIZABETH, LADY CROMWELL (d. 1563), daughter of Sir John Seymour (d. 1536), widow of Sir Anthony Ughtred (d. 1534), wife of Gregory, 1st Baron Cromwell (d. 1551) and sister of the late Queen consort, Jane Seymour (d. 1537). Subsequently, Baroness St. John.
LADY JANE DUDLEY (c. 1508–1555), daughter of Sir Edward Guildford (d. 1534) and wife of the Queen’s master of the horse Sir John Dudley (ex. 1553). Subsequently, Duchess of Northumberland and mother-in-law to Queen Jane (née Grey).
* LADY ELIZABETH ARUNDELL (d. 1564), daughter of Gerald Danet (d. 1520) and wife of Sir John Arundell of Lanherne (d. 1557).
LADY JOAN DENNY (d. 1553), daughter of Sir Philip Champernowne (d. 1545) and wife of Sir Anthony Denny, a gentleman of the King’s privy chamber (d. 1549).
LADY JANE WRIOTHESLEY (c. 1511–1574), daughter of William Cheney and wife of Sir Thomas Wriothesley (d. 1550). Subsequently, Countess of Southampton.
LADY KATHERINE HENNEAGE (d. 1575), daughter of Sir John Skipwith (d. 1518) and wife of Sir Thomas Henneage, a gentleman of the King’s privy chamber (d. 1553).
* LADY ANNE KNYVET (d. 1563), daughter of Sir John Shelton (d. 1532) and wife of Sir Edmund Knyvet (d. 1551).
LADY ELEANOR WROUGHTON (c. 1510–1590), daughter of Edward Lewknor (d. 1522) and wife of Sir William Wroughton (d. 1559).
MRS. JANE MEWTAS (née Astley) (d. c. 1550), parentage unknown, wife of Peter Mewtas (d. 1562).
The Maids of Honor
LADY LUCY SOMERSET (1524–1583), daughter of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester (d. 1549). Subsequently, Baroness Latimer.
DOROTHY BRAY (c. 1524–1605), daughter of Edmund, 1st Baron Bray (d. 1539). Subsequently, Baroness Chandos.
ANNE BASSETT (1521–1557), daughter of Sir John Bassett (d. 1528) and stepdaughter of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle (d. 1542). Subsequently, Lady Anne Hungerford.
MARGARET GARNEYS (d. 1599), probably a daughter of Mr. John Garneys. Subsequently, Viscountess Hereford, and then Baroness Willoughby of Parham.
MARGARET COPLEDIKE (b. c. 1524), daughter of Leonard Copledike. Very little is known of her life after 1541.
DAMASCIN STRADLING (1524–1567), daughter of Sir Thomas Stradling. Very little is known of her life after 1541, except that she left England with Jane (née Dormer), Countess of Feria, after the death of Queen Mary I and subsequently died in Spain.
The Fall of Catherine Howard
NOVEMBER 1541
2 All Souls—the Archbishop of Canterbury informs the King of John Lascelles’s claims about the Queen’s premarital romances.
3 Either today or the day before, John Lascelles is questioned.
4 Mary Hall is questioned in her home by the Earl of Southampton.
5 Henry Manox is questioned at his home in Lambeth.
Francis Dereham is detained, ostensibly to answer questions about his alleged piracy in Ireland.
6 The Queen is informed of the allegations against her, and she is questioned by Archbishop Cranmer for the first time.
The King leaves Hampton Court and spends the night at Whitehall.
7 The Queen confesses her involvement with Francis Dereham to Cranmer.
8 Rumors circulate in the court that the Queen is barren and that Anne of Cleves may be rehabilitated.
11 Orders are given to move the Queen to Syon Abbey.
12 The Lord Chancellor informs the rest of the Privy Council of the charges against the Queen.
13 Mary Hall and Alice Restwold are summoned to Westminster to answer questions about the Queen’s activities before her marriage. Katherine Tilney is questioned by Sir Thomas Wriothesley.
Thomas Culpepper is interrogated for the first time.
14 The Queen is moved to Syon Abbey.
The Queen’s household is disbanded.
Jane, Lady Rochford, is questioned and states that she believes the Queen has committed adultery.
Margaret Morton is asked about the Queen’s behavior during the progress to the north.
Thomas Culpepper’s goods are inventoried.
15 Lady Margaret Howard testifies about the Queen’s intimacy with Francis Dereham, before her marriage.
Andrew Maunsay is interviewed.
16 Lady Rochford’s goods are inventoried.
17 Lady Rochford is entrusted to the care of Lady Russell, after suffering a nervous breakdown.
Lord Russell informs Eustace Chapuys that the Queen is suspected of adultery with Culpepper.
19 Rumors are circulating that the Queen will be pardoned.
20 The King of France discusses the scandal with the English ambassadors.
22 Catherine is stripped of her title as Queen.
23 The King of France writes to Henry VIII with commiserations on Catherine’s behavior.
Writs are issued to summon Parliament.
24 The first indictment against the Queen is published.
30 Katherine Tilney is questioned again, this time about the Queen’s behavior in the north.
DECEMBER
1 Trial of Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper at the Guildhall, London.
2 Catherine’s brothers and the Earl of Surrey ride through the streets of London to advertise their lack of complicity.
3 Robert Damport is questioned for the second day in a row.
4 The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is taken in for questioning.
5 The interrogation of the Dowager Duchess. The Countess of Bridgewater is committed to the wardship of the Earl of Southampton.
At Syon, Catherine is once again questioned about how Francis Dereham entered her household.
6 Norfolk House is locked up.
Robert Damport alleges that Francis Dereham hoped that the King would die, so he could marry Catherine.
The Countess of Bridgewater’s maid is among those questioned.
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7 The order is given to torture Robert Damport and Francis Dereham.
8 The Feast of the Immaculate Conception—interrogation of the Countess of Bridgewater.
Mary Hall is pardoned.
9 Thomas Culpepper’s death warrant is signed.
Lord William Howard offends his interrogators with his “stiff” manner.
The goods of Lord William Howard and the Countess of Bridgewater are inventoried.
10 Execution at Tyburn of Thomas Culpepper and Francis Dereham.
11 The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is sent to the Tower.
Anne of Cleves’s chamberlain, Sir William Goring, and her house steward are ordered to appear before the Privy Council to answer allegations that Anne had given birth to a bastard child.
13 Caretakers are appointed for the Howards’ seized London properties.
The Countess of Bridgewater’s three children are committed to ward.
15 The Duke of Norfolk writes a letter disowning his imprisoned relatives.
22 Lord William Howard, his wife Margaret, Katherine Tilney, William Ashby, Robert Damport, and Margaret Benet are all arraigned for treason.
JANUARY 1542
16 Opening of Parliament.
The Queen’s prosecution is discussed in the House of Lords.
The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk and the Countess of Bridgewater are attainted for treason.
26 Emperor Charles V orders Eustace Chapuys to stop Anne of Cleves’s restoration, if rumors about it prove to be accurate.
28 The House of Lords proposes sending a delegation to Syon to offer Catherine the opportunity to stand trial.
29 The Queen and Lady Rochford are condemned to death by act of attainder.
FEBRUARY
FIRST WEEK Catherine rejects the offer of a trial by her peers.
7 Sir John Gage visits Syon to disband what remains of Catherine’s household.
10 Catherine is taken to the Tower.
11 Catherine and Lady Rochford’s death sentences are read out to both Houses of Parliament.
12 The former Queen makes her last confession.
13 Catherine Howard and Jane, Lady Rochford, are beheaded at the Tower.
Currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, this portrait of a seventeen-year-old courtier may depict Catherine Howard.
Identified as Catherine Howard in the early twentieth century, the lady in this portrait by Holbein is far more likely to be Thomas Cromwell’s daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, or Jane Grey’s mother, Frances.
A miniature, also by Holbein, showing a lady wearing jewels from the royal collection. It may be a portrait of Catherine, painted around the time of her marriage.
The ruins of Framlingham Castle, the Howard family’s one-time seat in Suffolk
The former church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth, the site of many Howard burials and, almost certainly, Catherine’s christening.
Catherine’s childhood guardian Agnes Howard, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk. One of the wealthiest women in the country, Agnes’s love of gossip and intrigue brought her close to total ruin.
Catherine’s glamorous but divisive cousin Anne Boleyn, who was executed in 1536. The two women shared a sense of elegance and confidence, but Anne was substantially more intelligent.
The influence on her life of Catherine’s uncle Thomas, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and head of the Howard family, has been greatly exaggerated. Evidence suggests that he knew, and understood, his niece poorly.
A diplomat and soldier, Lord William Howard was the uncle who knew Catherine best. For most of her queenship, he served as one of the English ambassadors to France.
A portrait believed to be of the devout Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, who was accused of treason and imprisoned in 1538. Her interrogators attempted, but failed, to implicate Catherine’s family in her disgrace. Three centuries after her death, Lady Salisbury was beatified by Pope Leo XIII.
For the first half of 1540, Catherine served in the household of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Many of Anne’s ladies-in-waiting regarded the Queen’s German dresses as ornate, but hideous.
Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister, was executed on Catherine’s wedding day in 1540. The Duke of Norfolk was active in the plots against him.
Catherine’s second cousin, Katherine Carey—they joined the court at the same time as maids of honor. Carey married soon after their debut and she is shown here, during one of her sixteen subsequent pregnancies. She was later a favorite lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I.
“The English Nero”: King Henry VIII, painted in the year of his marriage to Catherine.
This miniature, once identified as Catherine, may be a likeness of her eldest stepdaughter, Mary Tudor. They were not particularly friendly towards one another, a fact which became painfully evident during Catherine’s first Christmas as queen.
Eustace Chapuys, the Hapsburg Emperor’s ambassador in London. He first met Catherine at Hampton Court Palace in December 1540 and later wrote detailed reports on her downfall.
As queen, Catherine was credited with saving the life of the poet, courtier, and diplomat Sir Thomas Wyatt, following his arrest and imprisonment.
By the time they were reunited at Grimsthorpe Castle as guests of the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk in 1541, Queen Catherine had developed feelings of dislike for her uncle Norfolk, and some of her ladies-in-waiting apparently repeated her remarks to him.
The ruins of the Bishop’s Palace in Lincoln, where Catherine stayed as a guest and held one of her nocturnal meetings with Thomas Culpepper.
Magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, where Catherine, wearing a silver gown, publicly prayed on August 9, 1541, as part of the royal tour of northern England.
Pontefract Castle, painted by Alexander Keirincx shortly before it was demolished by antiroyalists at the end of the English civil war. Pontefract was allegedly where Catherine had planned adultery with Thomas Culpepper and where she was reunited with Francis Dereham.
James V, King of Scots, whose trip to York was to have been Catherine’s first experience of a state visit as queen. The invitation came at a time of rapidly deteriorating relations between England and Scotland.
The entrance to Hampton Court Palace, where Catherine’s downfall began, one day after she was publicly praised for the happiness she had brought to the King.
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Catherine’s reluctant but relentless interrogator. He had romantic secrets of his own—namely an illegal wife and family—but this did not stop him from pursuing the truth in Catherine’s case. He was the first to suggest to the King that she may have committed adultery.
Catherine Howard being conveyed to the Tower; by the nineteenth century, when this drawing was made, Catherine had become an object of fascination and, often, sympathy. In 1877, her grave was marked for the first time, on the orders of Queen Victoria.
Catherine spent the last three nights of her life at the Tower of London, where the constable Sir John Gage treated her with the courtesy and honors due to a queen.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
In the course of writing this book, I have accrued debts as numerous and difficult to repay as Edmund Howard’s, though far more pleasurable to shoulder. My agent and friend, Brettne Bloom, made all of this possible; it is a privilege to work with her. The same is true of Dr. James Davis, who supervised and encouraged my dissertation on Catherine’s household in 2011; Professor Catherine Clinton, who was the first to suggest that there might be a book in it; and Dr. Steve Gunn, my undergraduate tutor on the sixteenth century, who again gave so generously of his time as I was returning to the subject of Thomas Cromwell, the Howards, and sixteenth-century graves.
My editor, Trish Todd, was invaluable and a constant inspiration. She, along with all those at Simon & Schuster who were involved with Young and Damned and Fair, has my sincere gratitude.
My thanks to the staff at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; the Bodleian Library, Oxford; the British Librar
y, London; the Garden Museum, London; Hawkwise Falconry, Nuneaton; Hever Castle, Kent; the McClay Library, Belfast; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the National Archives, Kew; Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire; the Royal Collection Trust; the Scala Archives; Sotheby’s; the Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio; the Yale Center for British Art; and at the cathedrals of Lincoln and York.
Colleagues, professionals, and academics who graciously leant their time were Alan Brown, Dana Chernock, Dr. James Corke-Webster, Dr. T. Alexander Desmond, Michael Charles Foote, Rachel Franks at King’s Manor (York), Becky Friar, Dr. Sarah George, Isabel Holowaty, Dr. Gregory Kantor, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, Lauren Mackay, Dr. Lawrence W. Nichols, Philip Norman, Alison Palmer, Lauren Ritz, Professor Maggie Snowling, President of St John’s College, Oxford, Dr. Eleanor Standley, Timothy Stead at York Minster, Dr. Edward Town, Dr. Christopher Warleigh-Lack, Kathryn Warner, Colin Weston, and Joseph Zigmond.
My family have been supportive and encouraging throughout this process, and long before, they cheerfully endured years of an ever-increasing mountain of books on the sixteenth century in my childhood home. My deepest thanks, as always, to them and also to the friends who helped in different ways along the road to this book’s completion—Laura Bradley, Lauren Browne, Cailum Carragher, Scott De Buitléir, Robbie Dagher, Nina Foster, Claire Handley, Aoife Herity, Dan Kelly, Rebecca Lenaghan, Stephanie Mann, Stephen McCombe, Dr. Hannah McCormick, Ryan Nees, Jim De Piante, my U.K. editor Arabella Pike, Alexa Stewart Reid, Tim and Claire Ridgway, Mary-Eileen Russell, Eric Spies, Alex Steer, Emma Elizabeth Taylor, Angharad Williams, and the Woodward family.
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