By Philippa Gregory (Touchstone: 2005)

Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon, has long been a sympathetic figure. Most history students know only that she was Spanish, Catholic and the mother of Mary who became queen just before Elizabeth I. Philippa Gregory set out to add flesh to the bones of the story, and she accomplished her goal….maybe a little too well. The historical facts of

Katherine’s life are sparse, and Gregory had to imagine and create a great deal to come up with a historical romance.
Katharine was born Catarina, Infanta of Spain, daughter of the famous Ferdinand and Isabella. Some of the best parts of the book are the passages that explain the Spanish rulers and their intrigues. Christopher Columbus is mentioned, but only in passing, but the drive to conquer their old enemy France is central to the story.
Katharine was first espoused to Henry VII’s son, Arthur, when she was three years old. When she was 15, she was sent to England and married to Arthur. They were married only a few months, however, when he became ill with a fever and died. Her position in the English court was tenuous, and she would have returned to Spain as a dowager princess except that Henry VII and Ferdinand had not completed the dowry arrangements. Henry VIII was but a boy, but he decided he wanted to marry Katharine, and that was accomplished some years later.
Gregory posits that Katherine was a stabilizing influence on the young king and that he was much in love with her. Unfortunately she was not able to provide a male heir, and was confined to her quarters for many months after a miscarriage. During that time the roistering Henry found many to satisfy his ‘needs.’ Chief among them was Anne Boleyn, who became wife number two.
While Henry was off trying to help defeat the French, Katherine, following the example of her warrior parents, organized and lead the battle that was to become known as the Battle of Flodden Field. It was a decisive defeat for the Scots, and they were never able to harry the northern border of England again.
Gregory ends the book with the victory over the Scots, and we’re left with our high school understanding of Henry’s efforts to divorce her and the consequent invention of the protestant Church of England.
So much of the book is imagined that it is difficult to keep in mind that the actual historical truth might be very much different. On the other hand, it’s a satisfying romance and a Good Clean Book.