Why did Henry VIII marryCatherine of Aragon?

Answer 1

Henry VII had only recently become King of England by defeating Richard III, and was intent on establishing the Tudor Dynasty. Key to this was to win recognition (and therefore legitimacy) from the other royal families on the Continent by arranging a marriage between his oldest son and heir (Arthur) to an eligible princess of a prominent power. In this case, that was Spain. Henry also drove a hard bargain for a substantial dowry to accompany her. Arthur and Catherine were married, but shortly after, Arthur died (popularly attributed to "consumption"). This put the marriage alliance with Spain in jeopardy, but even worse for Henry VII was that it meant that he might have to return the dowry! His solution to both questions was to marry Catherine to his second son, the future Henry VIII. As marriage to the deceased older brother's wife was then considered incestuous, Henry VII successfully petitioned the Pope for dispensation, claiming that, although married to Catherine, Arthur had never consummated the marriage.

Years later, when Henry VIII sought to divorce Catherine, his argument to Rome was that Arthur had indeed consummated the marriage before his death, and that Catherine's subsequent re-marriage to Henry was incestuous, and should be annulled.

M. Krochmal

Answer 2

It is widely considered that Henry VIII married Katherine of Aragon not only for political reasons but for love. After his brother Arthur, who had been married to Katherine at the time of her death, passed away, their father, Henry VII set Henry to marry Katherine, for reasons unsure. He later continually postponed the wedding until his death where Henry was determined to marry the older Katherine despite his advisors telling him to look elsewhere for a bride.

Answer 3

Catherine of Aragon came from Spain, she was the widow of Henry's Brother who died at an early age, so in order for the continuation of the throne, Henry had to marry her to produce an heir, they had a girl called Mary who later became known as "Bloody Mary"

Answer 4

Catherine of Aragon married King Henry VIII, because that was her husbands brother and he died, so a couple years later when Henry was to take the throne he needed a wife and chose Catherine.

Answer 5

for his money probably and to keep in touch with England so if catherine of aragon's land was attacked the English would help fight them off.