25 Facts About Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr was the first woman to publish an original work under her own name in English in England.

Catherine Parr enjoyed a close relationship with Henry's three children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward.

Catherine Parr was personally involved in the education of Elizabeth and Edward.

Catherine Parr was influential in Henry VIII's passing of the Third Succession Act in 1543 that restored his daughters Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession to the throne.

Catherine Parr had a younger brother, William, after much wrangling, later created first Marquess of Northampton, and younger sister, Anne, later Countess of Pembroke.

Catherine's mother was a close friend and attendant of Catherine of Aragon, and Catherine Parr was probably named after Queen Catherine, who was her godmother.

Catherine Parr's father died when she was young, and she was close to her mother as she grew up.

Catherine Parr's initial education was similar to other well-born women, but she developed a passion for learning which would continue throughout her life.

Catherine Parr was fluent in French, Latin, and Italian, and began learning Spanish after becoming queen.

In 1529, when she was seventeen, Catherine Parr married Sir Edward Burgh, a grandson of Edward Burgh, 2nd Baron Burgh.

Catherine Parr served as a feoffee for Thomas Kiddell and as a justice of the peace.

Catherine Parr's father secured a joint patent in survivorship with his son for the office of steward of the manor of the soke of Kirton in Lindsey.

Catherine Parr was left a rich widow, but after Lord Latimer's death she faced the possibility of having to return north.

Catherine Parr was the first Queen of England to be Queen of Ireland following Henry's adoption of the title King of Ireland.

Catherine Parr was the third of his wives to be named Catherine.

On becoming queen, Catherine Parr installed her former stepdaughter, Margaret Neville, as her lady-in-waiting, and gave her cousin Maud, Lady Lane and her stepson John's wife, Lucy Somerset, positions in her household.

Catherine Parr was partially responsible for reconciling Henry with his daughters from his first two marriages, and developed a good relationship with Henry's son Edward.

Catherine Parr's volume appeared as preparations for war were being finalised and it served as a powerful piece of wartime propaganda designed to help Henry win the war against France and Scotland via the prayers of his people.

Catherine Parr further ordered that, after his death, Catherine, though a queen dowager, should be given the respect of a queen of England, as if he were still alive.

Catherine Parr was quick to accept when Seymour renewed his suit of marriage.

The whole ordeal left her relationship with Catherine Parr permanently damaged; the relationship between the two Seymour brothers worsened as a result, since Thomas saw the whole dispute as a personal attack by his brother on his social standing.

Catherine Parr owned many books and she participated in the cultural practice of writing in her books and signing books that belonged to others.

Kat Ashley, whose deposition was given after Catherine Parr had died and Seymour had been arrested for another attempt at marrying Lady Elizabeth, had developed a crush on Seymour during her time at Chelsea and encouraged her charge to "play along".

Catherine Parr was buried in St Mary's Chapel on the grounds of Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire, England.

The popular myth that Catherine Parr acted more as her husband's nurse than his wife was born in the 19th century from the work of Victorian moralist and proto-feminist Agnes Strickland.