Guest Post: A Fairy Step-mother by Laura Adkins

We have another fabulous guest post to celebrate Women’s History Month 2024. Laura Adkins is visiting History … the Interesting Bits to talk about my favourite of Henry VIII’s six queens, Katherine (or Kateryn, as she would have written it) Parr.

Over to Laura…

A Fairy Step-mother – Kateryn Parr

Although she only had one biological child, two of Kateryn Parr’s marriages would bring her five stepchildren whom she loved dearly as if they were her own.

Katheryn first foray into motherhood was when she became stepmother to Lord Latimer’s teenage son and daughter. It is more than likely that Latimer, when looking for a wife, was after someone who could be a mother to his children and be present in their lives as he was away a lot. He may have seen those motherly qualities in Kateryn. It would be his daughter, Margaret, 9 years old at the time of her father’s marriage to Kateryn, who would grow close to her new stepmother.

Margaret’s own mother had died in 1527 and her first stepmother died in 1530. This led to Kateryn becoming the only mother figure in the young girl’s life, and at an impressionable age. Kateryn would fill the role of mother, treating Margaret as if she were her own, even after Latimer’s death. Kateryn not only had a legal duty to the two teenagers at this time but a sense of parental duty and love.

Margaret’s father had been strongly Catholic, therefore, his children would have been Catholic. However, times were changing and in Margaret’s will there are curtain wordings which give an indication that she was more inclined towards the reformed religion. Could Kateryn have played a role in this? We do not know for certain, but Kateryn would certainly have been aware of Margaret’s beliefs and most likely had some impact on it. The only thing that would separate the two was Margaret’s death at the young age of 21, in 1545. In her will Margaret thanks Kateryn for ‘the godly education and tender love and bountiful goodness which I have ever found in her highness’. Kathryn had provided a mother figure for Margaret during her short life. She had provided the young girl with companionship when an alternative could have been a very lonely existence. Throughout her marriage to Henry, she was then able to bring her stepdaughter into court life and provide her with connections which she may never have had initially.

Of Latimer’s eldest child, John, things would be slightly different; however not as a result of Kateryn’s parenting. John was 14 years old when Kateryn and his father married, an age where he would have already established his own views, thoughts and personality. The young boy had been without a mother figure through puberty and his adolescent development. We know, from Kateryn’s own words, that things had been a bit more difficult between stepmother and son than with Kateryn and Margaret. His father did not leave his properties to John, nor appoint him executor of his will. That his father did not have much faith in his sensitive, sulking and lying teenager gives an indication that John was maybe a bit more of a handful than most. And given what he went on to do later in his life (arrested for attempted rape of one of his servants in 1557 and murder in 1563) one can quite believe his upbringing was not an easy task for Kateryn. There must have been some mutual fondness for one another, as when she became queen, she gave his wife a place as one of her ladies-in-waiting. Also, the fact that his aggressive nature came to the surface after her death shows that maybe she had some influence on his nature.

On her marriage to Henry VIII in 1543, Kateryn found herself a stepmother once more, this time to two daughters and a son. These royal children would be familiar to Kateryn and were all at various stages of their lives. Mary was only four years younger than her new stepmother; Elizabeth Tudor was 9, the same age that Margaret had been when Kateryn entered her life and Edward who was approaching the age of 6. Kateryn had a real impact on all three of Henry’s children, so much so that it helped shape their future as monarchs and for Elizabeth as a woman. All three have left in their own words their affection for Kateryn, the first of Henry’s wives that they all accepted and most likely loved.

It was through her love for her stepchildren and not a power play which made Kateryn try to reunite them with their father. She wanted to reconcile the broken family and bring happiness back to the court. She knew such love and happiness growing up and sadness with the loss of her father and wanted to try and assist her stepchildren to have some happiness like she did. Henry had both Mary and Elizabeth re-established in the line of succession, something which Kateryn at least had some part in. It would be at Ashridge in August 1543 where the three Tudor children, Kateryn and their father would stay together for the first time.

During her role as regent all three of the royal children would stay at the court, with their stepmother. It would be Elizabeth’s longest stay since she was a baby and one which most historians agree had a huge impact on her. Here both Mary and Elizabeth witnessed a woman governing and imposing her authority on her male counsellors. And not just a woman from afar but their stepmother, one who loved them and could and most likely help guide and mentor them, preparing them for their potential futures as powerful women in a world of men.

With Mary, the relationship was more of close friendship. Kateryn was not stupid to try and push herself as stepmother to Mary. She used her new position as queen to try and help Mary, not only to restore her in the line of succession but also to reunite her with her father. The two bonded over their love of fashion, jewellery and music. This friendship had already been established when Kateryn was a lady in Mary’s household after the death of Latimer. Mary would also see Kateryn as another female of learning and virtue and held her stepmother in high regard. The Spanish ambassadors wrote that Kateryn has behaved affectionately towards her [Mary] and go on to thank Kateryn for the kindness shown to the princess. Even their opposing religious beliefs did not seem to hinder their relationship. Kateryn had nothing but love for Mary. and it was through this love which brought her, for the first time in over a decade, some sense of peace, happiness and a form of stability.

For Elizabeth and Edward, her role was ever more impressionable. Edward’s mother, Jane Seymour had died when he was only a few days old. The next two of Henry’s wives were in and out of his life so quickly the young boy barely had time get to know them. A boy who had only had one parent in his life, the distant albeit slightly affectionate Henry. Edward lacked someone who showed him love and affection. It seems he grew with a fence up from female affection. When Kateryn came along, she wanted to knock down the fence and show the boy that it is ok to love and that he was loved and displays of affection were allowed. And she succeeded. From an early stage he was referring to her as his dearest mother and signing himself as her most abundant son. This young boy, who was a secretive cold and judgmental child who showed genuine fondness for very few people had grown attached to his new stepmother and finally had a mother whom he could love and who would love him in return.

For Elizabeth, Kateryn appeared at the time when she was needed the most. The stepmother and daughter were most likely the closest of the Tudor children. Elizabeth was at an age when she needed guidance and understanding; she also needed a mother’s love and someone who could match her growing intelligence. It would be Kateryn who also brought William Grindle onboard to teach Elizabeth, which led to the future queen’s love of the humanist principles. The earliest surviving letter of Elizabeth’s in existence is one she had written to her stepmother, dated 31 July 1544 . She despairs of not seeing Kateryn’s illustrious presence for a whole year and appeals to Kateryn’s clemency to speak to the king on her behalf so she can join them at court. Here Elizabeth feels she can approach her stepmother without repercussions and that her stepmother loved her greatly. She wanted to be not only with the king but Kateryn too at court.

Elizabeth would always sign her letters to Kateryn as ‘Your most obedient daughter and most faithful servant…’ Kateryn had captured the young princess’s heart and interest.

Elizabeth was a bright and intelligent child and noticed what was going on around her. She would not fail to miss the authority of her new stepmother and how she wielded her own power whilst keeping the right balance of femininity, and without, most of the time offending Henry or the men around her.

After the death of Henry, Kateryn set up her home at Chelsea, along with Elizabeth. It would be at Chelsea where Elizabeth and Kateryn’s relationship was tested to its limit, nearly severing the close ties these two had for good. Kateryns forth husband, Thomas Seymour began to grow an unhealthy interest in Elizabeth. He started to enter her bedchamber in the early morning before she was dressed and wearing only her undergarments. Her governess, Kat Ashley had tried to dissuade him from doing so and even approached Kateryn herself. There was even an occasion where Kateryn held Elizabeth in a supposed playful jest while Thomas cut Elizabeth’s gown to shreds. Not appropriate behaviour from either of them. It was eventually evident to Kateryn that Elizabeth had feelings for Thomas. Because of his lust for her stepdaughter and for reasons of propriety, Kateryn sent Elizabeth away from Chelsea. Kateryn had by this time found out she was pregnant; she wanted Thomas to only have eyes for her and knew the implications that could happen should word get out of what was going on, and under her own roof. It had to stop, and more importantly she needed it to stop for the love she bore Elizabeth as her stepmother, even though she was hurt by Elizabeth’s actions. Although this flirtation with Thomas and the danger it had put them in had been a huge thrust of the knife at Kateryn, her love for Elizabeth did not wane. Within weeks Kateryn had written to Elizabeth, and she had written back. Both were declaring their love for one another, with Kateryn missing her young charge.

Kateryn approached the role of motherhood with all her heart and passion for her stepchildren as if they were her own flesh and blood. Lord Latimer certainly saw something in her when he chose her to be his wife, he wanted not only a companion but a mother to John and Margaret. Kateryn’s involvement with Henry’s children’s lives was accepted, encouraged and appreciated by the king. He may have even finally enjoyed playing happy families after all the turmoil of the previous few decades. Her warmth and affection assisted her in persuading him to place his daughters back into the line of succession. For Mary it was a little different as she had experienced it from her biological mother, but this love had been torn from her when she needed it most. Maybe Kateryn had helped bring back those cherished memories to her. Kateryn was able to provide her stepdaughters with a female role model, who they could look up to and learn from. Particularly as two of her stepdaughters were of royal blood who might one day become queens. This mother’s love she provided would have certainly made an impact on how they approached womanhood and their confidence that they could perform their role as queen.

About the Author:

Ever since being inspired by her history teacher in secondary school and the 1997 movie Titanic, Laura has had a passion for history, especially medieval and Tudor eras. She writes her blog the Local History Blogger which focuses on her home county of Essex, England. In her past jobs, she has been fortunate to work in historic locations such as the Tower of London and Banqueting House, Whitehall where she gave public talks on its history and talks on the Tudors and Stuarts. Her other passion in life is her daughter who now joins Laura on her history trips and outings. When she is not exploring Laura enjoys reading and adding to her growing collection of books. Katheryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Queen is her first book.

To Buy the Book:

Laura’s book Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s sixth queen is now available in Hardback from Pen and Sword.

Find Laura Adkins on social media at:

Website: http://www.thelocalhistoryblogger.co.uk; Instagram – @localhistoryblogger; X – @TLHBlogger

Images:

1. Kateryn Parr – after Master John, c.1545. Oil on panel. The original portrait was initially thought to be of Lady Jane Grey and was only recently attributed to be Kateryn. Public domain image, via Wikimedia Common

2. Queen Mary Tudor – Anthonis Mor, 1554. Oil on panel. Public domain image, via Wikimedia Commons

3. King Edward VI – Workshop of Master John, c.1547. Public domain image, via Wikimedia Common

4. The young Princess Elizabeth – attributed to William Scrots, c.1546-1547. Oil on oak panel .Public domain image, via Wikimedia Commons

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Out Now! Women of the Anarchy

Two cousins. On the one side is Empress Matilda, or Maud. The sole surviving legitimate child of Henry I, she is fighting for her birthright and that of her children. On the other side is her cousin, Queen Matilda, supporting her husband, King Stephen, and fighting to see her own son inherit the English crown. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how these women, unable to wield a sword, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It show how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other.

Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Coming on 15 June 2024: Heroines of the Tudor World

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. These are the women who made a difference, who influenced countries, kings and the Reformation. In the era dominated by the Renaissance and Reformation, Heroines of the Tudor World examines the threats and challenges faced by the women of the era, and how they overcame them. From writers to regents, from nuns to queens, Heroines of the Tudor World shines the spotlight on the women helped to shape Early Modern Europe.

Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK.

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. It is is available from King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops or direct from Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org.

Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

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