Catherine of Lancaster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catherine of Lancaster
Catherine portrayed in The Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae
Queen consort of Castile and León
Tenure	9 October 1390 – 25 December 1406
Born	31 March 1373 Hertford Castle, Hertfordshire, Kingdom of England
Died	2 June 1418(1418-06-02) (aged 45) Valladolid, Castile and León
Burial	Cathedral of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha
Spouse	Henry III, King of Castile
Issue	John II, King of Castile Catherine, Duchess of Villena Maria, Queen of Aragon
House	Lancaster
Father	John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster
Mother	Constance of Castile
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Arms of Catherine as Queen of Castile

Catherine of Lancaster (born March 31, 1373 – died June 2, 1418) was a powerful queen. She became the Queen of Castile by marrying King Henry III of Castile. After her husband passed away, she ruled Castile as a regent. This means she governed the kingdom for her young son, who was too young to rule by himself. She was a regent from 1406 until 1418.

Catherine was the daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a very important English duke. Her mother was Constance of Castile. Catherine was born in Hertford Castle in England.

Becoming Queen of Castile

Catherine became Queen of Castile through her marriage to Henry III. This marriage was very important for both England and Castile.

A Royal Marriage Agreement

After a big battle in 1385, where Portugal won against Castile, Catherine's parents saw a chance. They wanted to claim the throne of Castile. In 1386, Catherine went with her parents to Castile. They hoped to make a claim for the crown. England and Portugal also became allies around this time. This alliance was made stronger when Catherine's half-sister, Philippa, married the King of Portugal.

Catherine's father, John of Gaunt, had some success in Castile. But he had to go back to Portugal in 1387. At this point, the King of Castile, John I of Castile, made an offer. He suggested that Catherine marry his son, who would become Henry III. Catherine's mother, Constance, would also give up her claim to the Castilian throne.

This agreement was officially signed in 1388. The marriage helped bring peace and stability to the royal family of Castile. It also helped end a part of the Hundred Years War in Spain.

The Wedding and Early Rule

On August 5, 1388, Catherine, who was 15 years old, agreed to the marriage. She fully accepted the treaty. The treaty gave her several towns as part of her marriage gift. On September 17, 1388, Catherine married the nine-year-old Henry in Palencia Cathedral.

Her husband, Henry, became king in 1390 after his father died. But he was only declared old enough to rule on his own in 1393. Catherine's main role during Henry's rule was having their three children. She also supported the Dominican Order, a religious group.

Catherine's Children

Catherine and Henry had three children:

• Maria of Castile (1401–1458), who married Alfonso V, the King of Aragon.
• Catherine of Castile (1403/1406–1439), who married Henry of Aragon.
• John II (1405–1454), who became King of Castile after his father.

Ruling as a Widow

When King Henry III died in 1406, Catherine became a widow. According to his will, Catherine and Henry's brother, Ferdinand I of Aragon, were to rule together. They would be regents for Catherine's young son, John II.

Joint Regency with Ferdinand

Ferdinand was supposed to have the most power. However, two nobles were given charge of young John II. Catherine did not want to give up her one-year-old son. She prepared to defend herself and her home in the Alcázar of Segovia, a famous Spanish castle. Eventually, Ferdinand agreed that Catherine could keep her son.

The regents had some disagreements. Because of this, the royal council decided to divide the rule. Catherine was given control over the northern parts of Castile and León.

Catherine became very involved in Ferdinand's wars in the south. She also worked to make Castile's friendships stronger with Portugal and England. Her half-sister, Philippa, was queen in Portugal. Her half-brother, Henry IV, was king in England. Catherine and her half-brother helped improve trade between Castile and England. Her international plans were good for Castile.

Catherine's Later Years

When Ferdinand died in 1416, Catherine's power became less. This was because his rivals no longer supported her. The government became more controlled by a group of people. Catherine was not well, as she had suffered a stroke. She eventually gave up the care of her son.

One person who wrote about Catherine said she was very tall and strong. She was described as having a fair complexion. He also said she was a good and proper woman. She was known for being generous.

Death and Burial

Catherine's tomb

Queen Catherine died in Valladolid on June 2, 1418. She passed away from a stroke. Her son was only thirteen years old at the time.

Catherine is buried with her husband in the Capilla de los Reyes Nuevos in Cathedral of Toledo. Her tomb shows her with a long face and a high forehead.

Catherine of Lancaster's great-granddaughter was Catherine of Aragon. She was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. She was named after Queen Catherine of Lancaster.

Genealogy

See also

In Spanish: Catalina de Lancaster para niños