I think we all have to remember that KOA's mother and father were Ferdinand and Isabella who were on the Reconquest against the moors her entire childhood, and she was with them. Ferdinand and Isabella ruled in common, and KOA was betrothed to Henry's older brother since she was 4 years old. She denied having ever consummated that marriage, which most people didn't, and still don't believe, but Henry wanted to marry her anyway.
The Tudors (TV Series 2007–2010) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
He was deeply in love with her, and was the younger more doted upon son, so he got what he wanted. All of this shaped KOA's personality. She believed deeply in her religious ideology, her destiny for she and her heirs to be Kings and Queens of England and Spain, and in woman being able to rule every bit as well as men. Sorry, I started this thread last night and had typos. I am redoing it. Squirrly will edit the mistaken one out for me.
I have watched every episode of the series, every day from the beginning. Also, have read all the standard books on KOA, and I can't make up my mind about her. She really was fierce, kind, gentle, and loved by the people. She also loved her daughter with all her heart. I can't help but think, if she would have divorced Henry.
Everyone would have been happy. Particularly Mary, who was the object of her love. Mary was emptionally and pychologially damaged by her Mother. If She said the dispensation wasn't enough, she could have saved face over the religious part, retired to a beautiful castle and been with Mary. Mary would never have been so heartbroken and abused, nor forced to wait on Elizabeth.
By her withdrawal, I'm quite sure that Henry's marrige to Anne may never even taken place, as he was cooling toward her as soon as they were married. Anne's pregnancy is what made him finally run to alter. Back to KOA, I really think her pioty, and pride killed her and Mary. Mary's reign was a sad bloody time for England, that only ended in tadgedy.
I think Katherine should have taken Mary back to Spain, to have a more normal life. I realize I am viewing this through 20th C eyes, and also a mother with 3 daughters, but as much as KOA was indeed strong, I don't see the point. She could have had a life of love, her daughter, and lived in her native country.Henry loved and respected her, and I think they would have had an amiable seperation. Sorry, she was a stubborn woman. She might have even lived to see Anne beheaded. That would have been poetic justice.
She threw away happiness away with both hands. I still adore her, but the Katherine I love is MDK's portrayal. The real Katherine must of been a much less romantic figure, as she was set aside from the very beginning of her marriage. 'koa was not a martyr or stubborn she was a woman of faith, pride and conviction that equals a strong woman'i agree with you all, I just wish she didn't have to suffer so. I guess what I'm trying to say is that by protecting Mary, she actually hurt her.
Also, although she could not do Otherwise, as she was a devoted wife and mother. But her devotion turned to stubbornness even when she saw the cause was lost. Henry left her anyway, and took Mary away from her, I think Anne suffered just as much in the end, as did Elizabeth. Anna of Cleves is the only one who had a nice life, and I believe Henry would have treated KOA just as well, and perhaps Mary's life would have been better because of it. On a personal note, I come from a bad marriage. My parents never divorced, and stayed together 'for the kids.' In the end we all suffered, terribly, my mother died a long horrible death, when she culd have divorced, remarried a lovely man, and we would have been happy.
Poor Katherine. I would like to end this thread, as I had no intention of it turning so sensitive to Catholics. My poinr was that organized religion discriminates against women and that poor KOA whold have lead a better life not being so stubborn. And it's making me question Pope Clement's mind. Excerpt from Alison Weir's- Henry VIII: 'Campeggio soon made it clear that Clement was prepared to offer Henry anything except the annulment he so desired, even a dispensation for a marriage between the Princess Mary and her half-brother Henry Fitzroy.'
Now to me that is beyond creepy. The Pope was prepared to legalise a marriage between a brother and sister, but he was so against a man wanting to have his marriage annulled. It makes no sense. Now if a marriage between said brother and sister, even if they are 'half' is not considered a sin in God's eyes, then I don't see how the Pope could not grant an annulment, the pope thinking that that annulment is a sin in God's eyes. So what do you think about this? Wrong that the pope would want to legalise a incestuous marriage, and still deny a annulment?