Description of Figure/Doll
Handcrafted figure of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII of England. She is made with stuffed cloth and felt that is decorated with gold trim. She is wearing a regal burgundy gown with a high lace and gold collar. She has pearls on her headdress and gold trim on her dress and sleeves. She has a gold and blue necklace. Her facial features are created with pen on her face of felt. Katherine is wearing garments customary for the British culture at that time. To learn more, read her story.Link to higher resolution images at ClipPix
England: United Kingdom
Location: Europe
Capital: London
Main language: English
Currency: British Pound
Figure/Doll
Construction: felt, appliques
Height in Centimeters: 16
Height in Inches: 6
Katherine Parr: 6th Wife of King Henry VIII (the "Last Wife")
Reading Level: 4.80
My name is Katherine Parr. I was King Henry's sixth and final wife. I was probably his most reluctant wife. After all, who would want to marry a man who had been married five times and who had beheaded two of his wives? I had no burning desire to be Queen of England.
By the age of 31, I had already been married twice (and both husbands had died). I spent a lot of time near the royal court, and I knew Henry quite well. Then, one day, Henry brought me to his throne room and asked me to marry him. At first, I refused. King Henry was over 50 years old, and he was quite sickly. He had a bad leg and had trouble walking. However, he informed me that he was King and ruler of all his subjects. He would not take "no" for an answer.
Finally, I agreed to marry him. I worked very hard to be a good wife to Henry and a good mother to his three children (Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward). I adored my royal stepchildren, and they seemed to love me as well. During those days, it was very unusual for girls and women to be educated. However, I liked to read and write. I taught Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth how important it was to study and learn about the world.
Henry and I got along well, but I was more of a nurse than a wife. I humored his moods and whims and became his good friend. After we were married for four years, Henry died. He was only 55 years old, and I was very sad to lose my good friend. His son (Prince Edward) became King Edward VI, even though he was only 10 years old.
A little while after Henry died, I married Thomas Seymour, a man I loved very much. I soon became pregnant and had a baby girl (named Mary). After Mary was born, I got sick and died. I was only 36 years old.
Another tragedy soon struck my family. My husband was executed for treason, and little Mary became an orphan. She later died at a very early age.
Although I was a reluctant bride for King Henry, I'm glad I married him. I was able to serve my country by helping to educate the future King and Queens. Edward was King for 6 years, then Mary became Queen for 5 years. Finally, Elizabeth ruled England for 45 years.