Prayers or Meditations facts for kids

This is the back cover of a special prayer book. It was translated by Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth I.

Prayers or Meditations was a very important book written in 1545 by Catherine Parr. She was the last wife of King Henry VIII. This book was special because it was the first book published in England by a woman using her own name. It was also written in English, which was new for books like this.

The book first came out on June 8, 1545. Before this, Catherine Parr had published another book called Psalms or Prayers, but she did not put her name on it. Prayers or Meditations was about 60 pages long. It was a collection of prayers and religious writings that Queen Catherine chose and put together for people to use in their private prayers.

What Was the Book About?

This book was based on an older, longer religious book from the 1400s. That book was called The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. However, Catherine Parr changed the ideas in her book to fit the new Church of England. The Church of England was just starting to form at that time.

Why Was This Book Important?

Queen Catherine wanted her book to be a private prayer guide. It was meant to be used by people at home. At the same time, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, wrote a public prayer guide called Exhortation and Litany. This was for everyone to use in church.

Archbishop Cranmer's book was the first one for the Church of England to get royal approval. This means the King agreed to it. For Queen Catherine's book to be released, she also needed permission from her husband, King Henry VIII. She also needed the Archbishop's approval.

How Successful Was It?

Prayers or Meditations became very popular. Many copies were printed in the 1500s. It was a big success with English readers while Catherine Parr was alive and even after she died in 1548.

A Royal Translation

Catherine Parr's stepdaughter, Princess Elizabeth, loved the book too. She later became Queen Elizabeth I. As a New Year's gift for her father, King Henry VIII, Elizabeth translated the book. She translated it into three languages: Latin, French, and Italian!

See also

• The Lamentation of a Sinner, which was Catherine Parr's second book published with her name on it.