Katherine Edgcumbe facts for kids
Katherine Edgecombe (died 1553) was an English noblewoman who lived during the time of King Henry VIII. She was a courtier, which means she served in the royal household. Katherine was known for her connections to important families and her role in the royal court.

Early Life and First Marriage
Katherine was born Katherine St. John. Her father was John St. John of Bletsoe. Her mother was Sybil, who was related to Rhys ap Morgan. Katherine also had a brother named John St. John.
Katherine first married a man named Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas. In October 1501, she was chosen to serve Catherine of Aragon. Catherine was a princess who would later marry Prince Arthur, King Henry VIII's older brother. Katherine and Gruffydd served Catherine and Prince Arthur at Ludlow Castle.
Gruffydd ap Rhys passed away in 1521. He was buried near Prince Arthur at Worcester Cathedral. Katherine and Gruffydd had a son named Rhys ap Gruffydd. Sadly, he was later accused of treason and executed at the Tower of London in 1531.
Second Marriage and Later Life
In 1532, Katherine married for a second time to Peter Edgcumbe. He was from Cotehele in Cornwall. Peter passed away in August 1539.
After Peter's death, Katherine became a widow again. In July 1543, King Henry VIII was looking for English servants. He wanted them to join the household of the young Mary, Queen of Scots. Henry hoped that Mary would marry his son, Prince Edward.
A diplomat named Ralph Sadler suggested Katherine for this important role. He believed she would be a good choice because she was a "grave and discreet woman, of good years and experience." She was also a widow, which Sadler thought was suitable for the position.
However, Katherine Edgcumbe did not go to Scotland. The marriage plans between Mary and Prince Edward did not work out. Instead, King Henry VIII started a war known as the Rough Wooing. In October 1543, King Henry gave Katherine a special payment called a pension.
Katherine's Will
Katherine Edgcumbe wrote her will at Cotehele on December 4, 1553. A will is a document that says how a person's belongings should be shared after they pass away.
In her will, Katherine left some household items to her daughter, Mary Luttrell. These items had originally belonged to her first husband, Gruffydd ap Rhys. Mary Luttrell lived at Dunster Castle and was married to a soldier named John Luttrell.
Katherine left the rest of her belongings and her tin mines in Cornwall to be managed by her executors. Executors are people chosen to make sure a will is followed correctly.