In the early hours of 5th September 1548, Catherine Parr, Queen Dowager, and the wife of Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, died of puerperal fever at Sudeley Castle. She had given birth to her first child, a daughter named Mary, on 30th August. Catherine was buried at the castle’s chapel.
You can read more about Catherine’s death and the discovery of her remains in 1782 in my article from last year 5 September 1548 – Death of Catherine Parr, Queen Dowager
Also on this day in history…
- 1569 – Death of Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London and a man nicknamed “Bloody Bonner”, in Marshalsea Prison. He was buried at St George’s, Southwark, but it is thought that his remains were later moved to Copford, near Colchester, a manor held by Bonner as Bishop of London. In Mary I’s reign, he was in charge of burning reformers in London, hence his nickname “Bloody Bonner”. Bonner was imprisoned in Elizabeth I’s reign for refusing to follow the “Book of Common Prayer” in his services, and for refusing to take the “Oath of Supremacy”.
Poor Catherine! Finally, finally, she was free to marry the man she truly loved, and even better, was looking forward to having her own child at last.
But then had to deal with a husband who was going after her young ward, and then death in childbed. She survived Henry, but didn’t get to long enjoy it.
It’s a great shame that Catherine did not get the chance to Mother her own child, as she had done to her step-children from previous marriages.
What a great love and education her little daughter would have received, presuming little Mary survived.
It’s so sad and unfair….