Catherine of Aragon: Daughter of a Spanish King - was the youngest daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and his wife, Isabella. She became a political pawn for the ruling monarchs, as did all daughters for the people of the 16th century. This was the best way to create an alliance with other countries and Ferdinand had his eyes set on England. The King of England at the time, Henry VII, had two living sons; Arthur Tudor was the eldest and the heir to the throne. It made sense to arrange a marriage between the two youngsters. Catherine was only three-years-old when the marriage to the young English heir was arranged, who wasn’t even two at the time! The future Queen of England didn’t make her journey to the country until she was 16-years-old. She spoke very little English upon arrival and it took three months to finally reach land. English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Aragon

Español: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_de_Arag%C3%B3n

http://thepeerage.com/p10148.htm#i101478

http://www.geneall.net/H/per_page.php?id=2439

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6943310

http://www.tudorhistory.org/aragon/

http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/catherinearagon.htm

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/henry-viii-the-mind-of-a-tyrant/articles/catherine-of-aragon-1485-1536

Catherine of Aragon Marries Arthur Tudor - The two married on November 14, 1501. Her future husband, Henry VIII, escorted her down the aisle as her father was not there. The wedding was uneventful, apart from the traditional lavish display for the future King and Queen, and the two moved to Ludlow Castle. It was during the next six months that affect Catherine’s second marriage. It is unknown whether the marriage was consummated. According to Tudor tradition, it is unlikely that it wasn’t but there is speculation over the health of the couple. Within six months, both had fallen ill and Arthur died. Catherine found herself as the Dowager Princess of Wales at just 17-years-old.

Catherine of Aragon Marries Henry VIII - On June 11, 1509, Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon. She was 24-years-old at the time of the marriage, which was actually quite old for women in Tudor England. She had been married before though, to Henry VIII’s brother, Arthur Tudor, but was widowed just six months into the marriage. She didn’t know it then but this would cause problems for her later in her marriage to King Henry. http://aingham86.hubpages.com/hub/On-This-Day-in-History-Henry-VIII-Marries-Catherine-of-Aragon#slide-related