On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1503, seventeen-year old Catherine of Aragon became betrothed to the nearly twelve-year old Prince Henry, second son of King Henry VII.
Catherine had been widowed in April 1502 when her husband, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, eldest son of Henry VII, died. The king was keen to keep hold of her dowry so negotiated with her parents, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, for her to marry his second son.
It was decided that the couple would marry on Prince Henry’s 14th birthday, 28th June 1505. Prince Henry actually broke off their betrothal the day before they were due to marry but fast forward four years and he married her after he became King Henry VIII.
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