Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

This 1941 non-fiction book is a comprehensive look at the life of Catherine of Aragon. Divided into three sections - A Spanish Princess, England’s Queen and The Divorce of Henry VIII – the influences that shaped Catherine’s life and her decisions which perhaps altered the course of European history are presented in a way that is both engaging and interesting.

The woman that emerges from these pages is one that is strong, intelligent and sure of her self and her destiny. She is politically astute and is capable of holding her own against foreign ambassadors, dignitaries and the clergy. She is not easily intimidated and is usually quick to understand the subtleties underlying diplomatic behavior and shifts in policy. Catherine’s experience and knowledge compliments Henry’s relative inexperience during the early years of their marriage and she really was the ideal wife and queen for him.

Except for that problem of a son. What should have been the somewhat private disappointment between a husband and wife (I say somewhat since Henry was the king and his heir or lack of one did concern England as a whole) turns into a national crisis with consequences no one could have foreseen. I don’t necessarily blame Henry for wanting and feeling that he needed a male heir, but I think he made some mistakes that complicated the issues more than they needed to be.

This book is full of political details that I thought were fascinating. I really had no idea Catherine was so involved in some of the political intriguing that was going on and at times, seemed to be the instigator. Mattingly’s approach to Catherine’s life provides a couple of things I hadn’t really thought that much about. Primarily, how two of Catherine’s key decisions – refusing to agree to the end of her marriage and refusing to be the focal point for a rebellion against Henry (as well as discouraging Mary from the same) – allowed many of the ideas of the Protestant Reformation into England before it was ready and changed the political and religious landscape of Europe.

Although the basis for the first may partially have been her belief that Anne would eventually give in and Henry would then tire of her, it seems she was more likely driven by her fierce determination to preserve her daughter’s place in the succession and that the legitimacy and authority of the Church (and the Pope) not be undermined. Mattingly examines the origins of “the secret matter” from a variety of angles and had the timing of Henry’s conscience not coincided so nicely with his pursuit of Anne Boleyn, perhaps history would have been kinder to both of them.

As to the second, a fair amount of time is spent discussing the schemes and conspiracies that the Spanish Ambassador, Chapuys, embroiled himself in. Chapuys apparently wrote a number of letters and these form the basis for a great deal of information in the book. Although I had read before about the potential of a major rebellion against Henry (during Catherine’s years in exile) I hadn’t realized that Chapuys was much of the force behind it and had basically put together the components. He lacked only Catherine’s participation (or at least her approval) in order to pull it off. You have to wonder how things would have been different had she agreed.

After the failed rebellion, the rest of Catherine’s life is covered quickly as is her declining health and ultimate death. Mattingly does provide a discussion of the sources that he used for the book as well as extensive endnotes and an index. Although currently out of print, several copies are available on ebay and other online used book sites (many for less than $5).

I enjoyed Annie's What's in a Name Challenge this year and was happy to see that she is doing another one this year with all new categories. I don't have a book for a couple of them yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with one eventually.

A book with a profession in the title: The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz

A book with a time of day in the title: Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff

A book with a relative in the title: The Sisters Who Would be Queen by Leanda de Lisle (completed)

A book with a body part in the title: Hand of Isis by Jo Graham (completed)

A book with a building in the title: The Fort at River's Bend by Jack Whyte (added 11/17/08)

A book with a medical condition in the title:

Katherine of Aragon is the subject of the novel from 1969. Her early life in Spain is covered quickly as is her brief marriage to Arthur Tudor. Most of the 369 pages focus on two periods in her life: the early years of her marriage to Henry VIII and the years spent in a sort of exile after Henry divorced her. Although told in third person, the story is primarily from Katherine’s point of view.

Katherine and Henry’s early years are happy – fairly young, recently crowned and in love, they seemingly have everything to look forward to. But the failure to have a male heir begins to weigh heavily Henry and he begins to listen to “advisers” who obviously have their own agenda as well as coming to the realization that Katherine no longer stirs him “in that way”. Katherine seems rather oblivious to it all until it is too late, not even realizing that Henry has been carrying on (somewhat chastely however) with Anne Boleyn. I found it a little hard to believe that someone as smart as Katherine could have been so blind, unless she was in some serious denial. But there’s no attempt to explain it either way. Oddly enough, as the “Great Matter” of their divorce and the subsequent years of Henry’s disappointment with Anne drag on, Katherine finds herself actually feeling sorry for Anne. She doesn’t really blame Anne, but rather Henry’s advisors (especially Cromwell) and through it all displays the queenly grace she was born with.

Following the divorce, Katherine is forced to live separately not only from Henry but perhaps more importantly, her daughter Mary. Henry’s callous treatment of her is sometimes redeemed by occasional feelings of guilt – but never enough to really do anything to improve Katherine’s living conditions which become increasingly sparse and poor. As in most things, he’s convinced that he is right in keeping Katherine and Mary apart, and in looking at it from the viewpoint of a king (rather than a father), he probably was.

I enjoyed reading The King’s Pleasure and liked it more than Lofts books on Eleanor of Aquitaine (Eleanor the Queen) and Katherine’s mother, Isabella of Spain (Crown of Aloes) but not quite as much as the one from Anne Boleyn’s point of view (The Concubine). At times I found Mary to be too well spoken for her age and on numerous occasions, Lofts pulls you out of the story as she mentions events that happen in the future (a reference to Henry having six wives for example). But the last 100 or so pages become increasingly emotional as Katherine’s health and living conditions deteriorate and she struggles to maintain some form of contact with Mary. The days leading up to her death are pitiful and I felt very sorry for her - especially since she still maintained her love for Henry and even after all of the humiliation that she suffered, she didn't blame him. Somehow I think Henry didn't deserve her.