Katherine’s Children and the Tudor Curse

The King's Curse

This thread follows the pregnancies and losses that turn the royal demand for an heir into a recurring source of personal grief and political suspicion.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Lost Pregnancy The First Lost Pregnancy from "The King's Curse". Hope and Miscarriage Early Expectation Katherine becomes pregnant soon after Henry’s accession, and the court anticipates an heir.

The First Lost Pregnancy from "The King's Curse". Hope and Miscarriage Early Expectation Katherine becomes pregnant soon after Henry’s accession, and the court anticipates an heir.

Hope and Miscarriage Early Expectation Katherine becomes pregnant soon after Henry’s accession, and the court anticipates an heir. The physician’s claim that she still carries a child delays recognition of the loss. A Lesson in Credulity Henry insists on optimistic reports and celebrates an imagined pregnancy. Margaret sees how badly the king handles medical uncertainty and bad news.

Henry of Cornwall Henry of Cornwall from "The King's Curse". A Son Who Dies A Brief Triumph Katherine gives birth to a boy named Henry, and Margaret tells the king he has an heir.

Henry of Cornwall from "The King's Curse". A Son Who Dies A Brief Triumph Katherine gives birth to a boy named Henry, and Margaret tells the king he has an heir.

A Son Who Dies A Brief Triumph Katherine gives birth to a boy named Henry, and Margaret tells the king he has an heir. The court celebrates the apparent security of the Tudor line. Sudden Death The baby dies in his cradle ten days later. Margaret must carry the news to Katherine, while both parents are left unable to comfort one another.

The 1513 Birth The 1513 Birth from "The King's Curse". A Premature Son A Difficult Delivery While Henry is campaigning, Katherine gives birth prematurely to a boy.

The 1513 Birth from "The King's Curse". A Premature Son A Difficult Delivery While Henry is campaigning, Katherine gives birth prematurely to a boy.

A Premature Son A Difficult Delivery While Henry is campaigning, Katherine gives birth prematurely to a boy. The child briefly appears alive before dying in the midwives’ care. A Queen’s Isolation Katherine sends news to Henry, who returns with military triumph but no heir. Margaret sees the emotional gap widen between the royal couple.

Mary Survives Mary Survives from "The King's Curse". A Daughter’s Life A Living Child Katherine gives birth to Mary, who survives and becomes a bright, capable princess.

Mary Survives from "The King's Curse". A Daughter’s Life A Living Child Katherine gives birth to Mary, who survives and becomes a bright, capable princess.

A Daughter’s Life A Living Child Katherine gives birth to Mary, who survives and becomes a bright, capable princess. Margaret is appointed her governess and helps raise her. Unequal Security Mary’s survival brings joy but does not end pressure for a male heir. Her legitimacy and inheritance will remain vulnerable to the king’s changing claims.

The Last Stillbirth The Last Stillbirth from "The King's Curse". Hope Ends Again A Dead Daughter Katherine gives birth prematurely to a stillborn girl.

The Last Stillbirth from "The King's Curse". Hope Ends Again A Dead Daughter Katherine gives birth prematurely to a stillborn girl.

Hope Ends Again A Dead Daughter Katherine gives birth prematurely to a stillborn girl. Margaret carries the news to Henry while the court has already lost confidence in another royal pregnancy. Grief Reinterpreted The losses are increasingly treated as evidence against the marriage or the queen. The pain of bereavement is converted into a political argument about legitimacy and divine favor.

1510

January 1511

Autumn 1513

February 1516

November 1518