Catherine Howard Practiced Her Dance With Death
Upon discovery of Catherine’s past affairs and romance with Culpeper, Henry refused to hear her pleas for mercy. She wasn’t given a trial; Henry approved an Act of Attainer sentencing her to death. Catherine went to the Tower of London for her date with the executioner. Much like her well-rehearsed dances, Catherine asked to have the executioner’s block brought to her chambers so she could practice laying her head on the block.
Instead of the fiery speech about preferring to die as Culpeper’s wife recorded by Spanish chronicles, she gave a short statement about how she was justly condemned and asked for the mercy of God and the King. On February 13, 1542, Catherine was beheaded in one stroke.
