Catherine of Navarre facts for kids

Catherine (born 1468 – died February 12, 1517) was the Queen of Navarre. She ruled from 1483 until 1517. She was also a Duchess, Countess, and Viscountess of several other lands.

Biography of Queen Catherine

Catherine was the younger daughter of Gaston of Foix. Her mother was Magdalena of Valois, who was the sister of Louis XI of France.

Catherine grew up during the rule of her great-grandfather, John II of Aragon. When he died in 1479, her grandmother Eleanor of Navarre became queen. However, Eleanor died in the same year. Since Catherine's father had already passed away, the crown of Navarre went to Catherine's brother, Francis Phoebus.

Becoming Queen

In 1483, Catherine's brother Francis died. This made Catherine the new queen. Her mother, Magdalena, became her regent, meaning she helped rule until Catherine was old enough.

However, Catherine's uncle, John of Foix, wanted the throne for himself. He claimed that a rule called the Salic Law meant women could not inherit the crown. This law was not actually used in Navarre. His claim started a civil war that lasted from 1483 to 1492.

To get more support, Catherine's mother decided to arrange a marriage for 15-year-old Catherine. In 1484, Catherine married John of Albret. He came from a powerful family in Gascony. Many people in Navarre supported this marriage. They hoped it would help Catherine against her uncle.

Coronation and Challenges

Catherine and John were married in 1486. But their official crowning ceremony in Pamplona was delayed until 1494. This was after a peace agreement was signed with some powerful families and with King Ferdinand II of Aragon.

However, not everyone was happy with Catherine's marriage. Some people in Navarre wanted Catherine to marry the son of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon instead.

Catherine's mother, Magdalena, continued to be regent even after the coronation in 1494. She still signed important documents and was mentioned first. But in 1494, Magdalena was taken hostage by Aragon. At age twenty-six, Catherine finally took full control of the government with her husband.

People described Catherine as a very strong and wise ruler. She was known for her courage and for always working faithfully to help her husband, King John III, in governing the kingdom.

In 1504, Catherine wrote her will. She confirmed that her son, Henry, would be the next ruler. She also wished to be buried in Pamplona Cathedral. However, both she and John were later buried in Lescar.

The Spanish Invasion of 1512

Orthez, a town where the Navarrese monarchs took shelter after 1512

In 1512, King Ferdinand of Aragon, who was allied with the Pope, made demands to the royal family of Navarre. Catherine did not agree to his demands. So, Ferdinand sent his army, led by Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 2nd Duke of Alba.

The Castilian army captured Pamplona on July 25, 1512. They also took Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and caused a lot of damage in the area. Catherine and John III were overwhelmed by the invasion. They had to flee to Bearn, which was another part of their kingdom. They set up their new base in towns like Pau and Orthez. They lived there for most of the time until they died.

In 1513, a meeting of the Navarrese Parliament took place in Pamplona. It was mostly attended by people who supported Spain. They promised loyalty to Ferdinand. In return, Ferdinand promised to respect the laws of Navarre. In 1515, the southern part of Navarre was officially added to the Crown of Castile. It became a separate kingdom within the larger Kingdom of the Spains.

Final Years

In 1516, King John III tried to take back Navarre with his army. But they were not successful. John was very sad about these defeats. He died on June 17, 1516. Queen Catherine died shortly after him, on February 12, 1517. She passed away in her home in Mont-de-Marsan. By this time, she had given birth to many children.

From 1512 until her death in 1517, Catherine was only truly queen in some areas of Lower Navarre, which is north of the Pyrenees mountains. However, her lands also included the Principality of Bearn and other territories.

Children

Seal of Catherine of Navarre

Queen Catherine and John III of Navarre had thirteen children:

• Anne of Navarre (1492 – 1532)
• Magdalena of Navarre (1494 – 1504)
• Catherine of Navarre (1495 – 1532). She became an abbess, a leader in a convent.
• Joan of Navarre (1496 – 1496)
• Quiteria of Navarre (1499 – 1536). She also became an abbess.
• A son who was stillborn in 1500.
• Andrew Phoebus of Navarre (1501 – 1503)
• Henry II of Navarre (1503 – 1555). He became the next King of Navarre.
• Buenaventura of Navarre (1505 – 1510/1511)
• Martin of Navarre (c. 1506 – 1512)
• Francis of Navarre (1508 – 1512)
• Charles of Navarre (1510 – 1528). He was captured during a war and died as a prisoner of war.
• Isabella of Navarre (1513/1514 – 1555). She married Rene I, Viscount of Rohan.

See also

In Spanish: Catalina I de Navarra para niños