Howard, Catherine

Howard, Catherine, 1521?–1542, fifth queen consort of Henry VIII of England. She was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard and the niece of the powerful Thomas Howard, 3d duke of Norfolk. Henry married her soon after his divorce from Anne of Cleves in 1540. Late in 1541 she was accused of immoral conduct prior to her marriage. Although she confessed, Henry was at first inclined to clemency. When evidence was produced for similar misconduct after her marriage, she was attainted for treason and beheaded.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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