Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr, the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal, was born in 1512.

Henry VIII married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, in 1540. The following year she was charged by Thomas Cranmer of having sexual intercourse before her marriage with Henry Mannock, Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper.

Henry now sought a new wife and in 1543 married Catherine. She was a good stepmother to Henry's two daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Catherine also helped to moderate Henry's religious persecutions.

Soon after Henry VIII died in 1547 Catherine married Thomas Seymour of Sudeley, but died in childbirth the following year.