Catherine of Valois

Also known as: Katharine / quéene Katharine · Family: France · Role: princess · First appears: Henry V 23

As a French princess, Catherine was brought by her mother, Isabella of Bavaria, before Henry V at the French court, with the intention that her beauty would encourage him toward marriage and peace. At Trois in c. 1420, while Catherine was with her father, Charles VI, an agreement arranged her marriage to Henry V, along with his future regency and succession in France. A spark of love was kindled in Henry V’s heart; Catherine and he were affianced at Saint Peter’s Church on 20 May and “the mariage was solemnized and fullie consummate” on 3 June, with John Robsert left to attend her during the negotiations.

In 1421, Catherine was crowned queen at Westminster. After Henry V’s death, she secretly married Owen Tudor, and by him had Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, and another son who became a monk at Westminster and lived only a short time. In 1437, Catherine, mother to Henry VI, died and was buried beside Henry V at Westminster Abbey.