Quick Facts:
Born: 1523
Died: February 13 1542
Reign: July 28th 1540 – November 23rd 1541
Motto: No other will but his
Parents: Lord Edmund Howard and Joyce Culpepper
Siblings: (a lot) (Half Sibling via Mother) John Leigh, Ralph, Isabel, Joyce and Margaret. (Full Siblings) Henry, Charles, George, Margaret, and Mary
Appearance:
Historians have different ideas regarding Catherine – Kathryn – Katherine – Kitty. . . David Starkey says that she had auburn hair, pale skin, dark eyes. . French Ambassador Marillac said that “she was not of spectacular but rather moderate beauty, while being of a graceful disposition. . . either way she was pretty enough to catch the king’s eye, and must have had a pleasing personality to catch the crown.
Personality:
Some people tend to think that Kitty (how I will be referring to her from now on) was just an empty headed girl. And I would lean heavily towards this ideal because she was a fresh faced SEVENTEEN year old when Henry was a 50 year old. Talk about age gap. Who could blame a girl for not thinking that far ahead? Who knew that little Katherine Howard (a nobody really) would make it to the crown? Kitty was described as a flirtatious, silly, emotional, kind-hearted and had to be good natured to deal with Henry and his court. I think Kitty was a smart girl, musically inclined, and full of confidence. Too trusting perhaps. . .
(NEXT SECTION WILL BE A TON OF PARAPHRASING!!!! JUST A QUICK SYNOPSIS IF YOU WILL)
The Short Life of Katherine Howard
It is sad to think that this poor girl had such a short life, and there was nothing really she could do. I do believe that Kitty was too trusting of those around her. I believe that she was groomed and that she was instilled with the firm belief that her worth is only what men deem it to be. And her desire to be worthy, brought her into troublesome waters.
Kitty was born to the 3rd son to Thomas Howard (2nd Duke of Norfolk), meaning her father was the poor son. Her father had some personality flaws that hindered a successful childhood for her. He was extremely prideful, (not wanting to ask for handouts) and the man liked to gamble. So his wife’s money was quickly spent and had a very cheap lifestyle. Since he had no money, there was no opportunity for an education (so there is the reason she is called illiterate). When her mother died, her father had a problem managing the children even though he re-married. He thankfully had the opportunity to send Kitty to her step-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.
Now Kitty had a stable household at the Dowager’s, in the fact that she got clothes, food and a warm bed. The other things were things a young girl should not have been left to. It is said that the Dowager was often at court and had little direct involvement in the upbringing of the wards and female attendants. Strike two against Kitty’s future.
Kitty and Mannox
Evidence states that Mannox was in his early to mid-twenties, and their interactions began in 1536. (she was 13) She was undergoing music lessons with Mannox and another teacher. Kitty was flattered that Mannox paid attention to her and complimented her music skills. Mannox somehow was able to get her to let him touch “secret parts” of her body. She was also angered by his gossiping with the servants about what was going on between them. (When under questioning when they both admitted they did not have sex but had sexual contact.) Kitty knew that Mannox was below her socially, and knew they would not have been able to marry.
Kitty and Dereham
Kitty also knew that Dereham was below her socially, and they would not be able to marry either. She knew the Howards wanted more power and better familial connections. Dereham firmly believed that Kitty was his wife and he was her husband. Kitty did not. Kitty was adamant and under confession said that she was raped by Dereham. Both agree on the fact that they did not have relations when she was married to the King. Their “relationship” lasted from 1538 to 1539. Dereham though was a cocky man, and when he came to court in 1541, weaseled his way to a position in the queen’s household, he started boasting of their past relationship.
Kitty and Culpepper
Culpepper was not a desirable mate, he had dark cloud over his head. He had a reputation as a rapist and a possible murderer. I doubt that even if he was attractive that Kitty would have thrown her lot with him. They met on a handful of occasions, beginning sometime around April 1541. Though some novelists say they met earlier in their life since they are cousins. I think that Culpepper was fascinated with Kitty and wanted her. Kitty was dismissive and told him that she would not meet with him again, and asked Lady Rochford (Anne Boleyn’s sister in law, who also helped in her downfall) to chaperone the meetings. With Culpepper’s past it is easy to assume that he found ways to get what he wanted. Yes she wrote a letter saying “Yours as long as life endures” but that was a “variation of standard phrase” that was used by other letter writers of her time. The letter itself was not in romantic in tone.
My thoughts:
I think that Kitty was a smart girl who was alive and heard of her cousin’s downfall and execution. I HIGHLY doubt that she would engage in any behavior that would lead to the same fate. She would know that any other relationship would be scrutinized while she was queen, that everything she did would be looked at with a hard eye because of who her family was. Mannox got to “3rd base, Dereham raped her and used her poorly, Henry well….Henry loved her in his way, and Culpepper did not have sexual relations with Kitty but not from his lack of trying. Mannox kept his head, Dereham was hang, drawn and quartered, Culpepper, Kitty and Jane Rochford were beheaded. (Jane Rochford lost her head because she was an accomplice to Kitty’s deceit)
There is so many books, articles, and documentaries regarding Katherine, and many of them differing on their opinion on what Katherine was really like. Someday we will be able to observe the past and find out.
BOOKS!
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Katherine Howard – Jessica Smith
Image created with cover art from the novel art
Click the image to go to her page!!
Liz of a Thousand Books 
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