Katherine Parr, 1512 – 1548
Henry’s final wife was a bit of a change for Henry VIII. Instead of the young, vivacious coquette he had pursued in the past, he chose a well-educated, studious two-time widow. She was lively and loved the arts, attractive qualities to Henry even in his advanced age.
Katherine accepted Henry’s proposal as a matter of duty and honor, despite being in love with Thomas Seymour. Perhaps learning from Catherine Howard’s mistake, Katherine Parr ended her relationship with Seymour and tended to the ailing Henry. History notes that Katherine is the “one who survived,” praised by Henry as “so faithful a spouse.”
