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Catherine Howard (c1520 - 1542) was Henry VIII's fifth wife, and much younger than Henry (1491 - 1547). Henry and Catherine were married on 28 July 1540. Catherine was a cousin of the ill fated Anne Boleyn (Henry's second wife) and also a niece of the Duke of Norfolk. Henry was joyfully happy with her, but Catherine made the terrible mistake of apparently having an affair with a cousin of her mother's, Thomas Culpepper, which was a treasonable offence. Henry had always seen Catherine as his "rose without a thorn", despite the gossip about her previous affairs which had taken place when she was younger. Henry was said to have genuinely believed the evidence against Catherine was forged, when the truth was brought to him.

Catherine was apprehended, and was placed in custody on 12 November 1541 and then sent to Syon House. She was demoted as queen on the 22nd November. After she was found to be guilty of the charges, Catherine was eventually taken to the Tower of London by barge on 10 February 1542. Due to be executed on the 13th, Catherine asked for the block to be brought to her so that she could practice putting her head upon it. On the 13th February 1542 she went to her execution, which was over very quickly. Her body was placed in the chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula at the Tower, where her cousin, Anne Boleyn, was also interred.

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15y ago

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