Dr Kat and Katherine Parr

Katherine Parr: sixth wife, survivor, nursemaid but she was also a woman of dimensions. In this video I explore her complexities through the art she commissioned of herself.
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Instagram: / katrina.marchant
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
Images:
Full-length portrait of Katherine Parr attributed to Master John (circa 1545) © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Portrait of Henry VIII, Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger ( 1537 - 1547) in the Walker Art Gallery.
The Family of Henry VIII (c. 1545), British School at Hampton Court Palace.
The Ambassadors, Hans Holbein the Younger (1533) in the National Gallery.
The Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele, Jan van Eyck (1436) in the Groeningemuseum
Quoted texts:
Susan E. James, The Feminine Dynamic in English Art, 1485-1603: Women as Consumers, Patrons and Painters (2009)

[@AnnMarieKing]

I like how Dr. Kat used paintings to explain the significance of Catherine Parr's unsung personal influence and political savvy. Well played.

[@ChristChickAutistic]

"In the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." Queen Katherine Parr knew this, 500 years before Cersei said that in ASOIAF. KP is my favorite queen of the six, a published author, a proto feminist, reformer, a savvy and cunning political woman, and also a mother figure to Henry's motherless children, especially Elizabeth and Edward. Sociopath Cersei could have taken lessons from her, lol! Thank you Dr. Kat, for this presentation.

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

Katherine parr is my favorite. She was more than just a nurse and a maternal stepmother, she was also extremely intelligent and yes, she probably had a significant impact on Elizabeth later on when she’s queen

[@jenniferp5916]

Her religious views were also shared by both Edward and Elizabeth and I suspect she instilled her protestant beliefs in them. They both lost their mother while quite young and were therefore open to someone who'd show them some maternal affection. Whereas Mary, had more time developing a relationship with her own mother and learned her catholic beliefs from her.

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

Jennifer P Right. I heard on a David Starkey documentary series that Katherine Parr’s mother had been a lady in waiting for Mary’s mother and that it’s very much a possibility that she had been named after the queen because I think I remember hearing that Catherine of Aragon had been Katherine Parr’s godmother. I like to think Despite the differences in religion, Katherine Parr still had a lot of respect for her earliest predecessor and probably understood that she was never far from Mary’s thoughts. Where Anne Boleyn wanted to make Mary forget her, Katherine parr loved her stepdaughter enough to understand how natural it was to think of her mother

[@persephoneparr6471]

Katherine Parr is the person who first got me interested in Tudor history, at the age of 11. Discovering a Queen with my same last name (not at all common in my home country) peaked my interest, and a love story was born. 32 years later, my interest has expanded to other areas of History, not only Tudor England, but the fondness still remains.

[@ChristChickAutistic]

I love your name, Persephone, too. Persephone Parr sounds like a heroine in a great adventure novel.

[@sitamun7598]

What an amazingly cool name you have! Persephone Parr!!

[@shelleygibbons1065]

Katherine parr is by far my favorite next to Anne of Cleves

[@mjc63]

You and me both! Anne of Cleves alone made it through unscathed, as Katherine Parr faced several scary turns at the hands of H VIII and quite possibly would have been killed eventually if his health had not quickly gone down hill!

[@Laramaria2]

She was a remarkable woman! I love her!

[@vanessajarvais4727]

M

[@catherineofaragon1343]

HEY!!!!!

[@aeking29]

I agree!

[@zimnaya]

I thrilled to your explanation of the significance of the "turkey carpet"! The full-length portrait shows Katharine to have been a beautiful woman: we are so used to seeing the undeniably plain other portrait of her. I had always thought that this full-length portrait was of Jane Grey...so much more pleasing to think of it being Katharine Parr. Thank you for another superb talk.

[@SafetySpooon]

A lot of people thought it was Jane Grey, but a closer examination of the jewels said Katherine Parr.

[@dandeliondandylion4517]

"I don't need your love" was playing in my head throughout the video

[@leticiagarcia9025]

I researched her and found her to be very intelligent. She was political savvy and a religious reformer just like Anne Boleyn. Lucky for her Henry was old. She wrote Bibles in English. Elizabeth made a Bible to give to her father. He did not like it one bit. Like you said she was five steps ahead. She knew that she was going to be caught so she and her trusted ladies burned the Bible’s. Thanks to her quick thinking she manages to have Henry on her side. He tore the arrest warrant. I agree with you that Elizabeth learned from her.

[@Elly3981]

Catherine Parr is likely the most under-rated of King Henry's wives. And unlike Howard, she was actually smart enough to wait for King Henry to die before getting back with her lover and became a rich widow to boot!

[@starrsmith3810]

@@Elly3981 I doubt Howard was even cheating. Who’s to say it wasn’t all made up by people who just wanted her gone like Anne Boleyn. Hell her entire life was spent being abused and used by men.

[@Elly3981]

@@starrsmith3810 Anne Boleyn was strongly disliked by a lot of people, particularity those who were still loyal to Catherine of Aragon. She wasn't a very nice person either and often got on a lot of people's bad side, including Henry's. Howard was only 17 and wasn't bitchy like Anne so I can't think of many reasons for people to make up shit just to get her executed. Considering how unstable and dangerous Henry was, not many women want to be his wife, even if it means being queen.

[@starrsmith3810]

@@Elly3981 except they did make things up that ended with Anne getting executed……..

[@Elly3981]

@@starrsmith3810 I think Henry himself made up shit because he wanted an excuse to get rid of Anne for not having a son and because he was bored of her.

[@makeittrue]

Katherine Parr has always been my favorite of Henry's wives with Anne of Cleaves as a close second. I think it is because she was so intelligent to begin with and definitely so well educated for any noble woman of that period. I so much appreciate your "reading the painting": the Turkish carpet, that it is the first full length painting of a noble woman in England, and the broach of the crown are assertions of royal position & power. I really had not considered that she could have acted as regent for Edward but it really makes total sense to me. You have definitely expanded my positive opinion of Katherine Parr even more.

[@Meredith34567]

I love your videos of Henry VIII's wives, and how you treat them as individuals with their own thoughts, dreams, and goals.

[@Dreymasmith]

Love this. Best one yet. A whole side of Katherine Parr I didn't know. Thank you.

[@bgraham928]

I know it's been two years ago, but I just watched this video. Great job Dr Kat!

[@a.amanning7631]

Can you talk about her arrest or how they tried to arrest her and she got out of it. LOVE YOU!

[@mistysouders7823]

Katherine was my great six times great grandmothers first cousin. She was very very smart. And ABSOLUTELY knew her place. And how to play the GAME. PROBABLY why she she lived!!. I can most certainly say I would not have wanted to merry Henry. That’s for sure

[@katharper655]

HELLO, DR. KAT! I deeply enjoyed your most shrewd-and I believe completely accurate-assessment of Queen Catherine Parr's powerful personality, her brilliant intellect, the strength and determination which were the hallmarks of her amazing character. I cannot thank you enough for this insight into a terribly underrated Woman Of Power, and Queen of England.

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

Wow! There's more to Katherine Parr than I first thought. It all makes complete sense to me now.

[@mishapurser7542]

Wow. I never knew Katherine Parr was such a fascinating woman. Thanks for the video.

[@velvetindigonight]

Agreed.

[@marshnn]

She was she had to be very careful not to upset Henry who at that stage was very I'll tempered and I'll

[@j4eyes1]

Ever since I first learnt about Katherine Parr, in school and continuing into adulthood. Your presentation confirms what an intelligent, brave and interesting woman she was.

[@Luanna801]

Your analysis of the two portraits is brilliant! I'd seen both before, but never knew about the implications of Katherine's full-length portrait or how it might have been a response to being left out of the family portrait.

[@moogie1954]

I would have liked to hear of her life after Henry's death. I understand that she lived comfortably and even married again, which was highly unusual for a widowed queen.

[@ReadingthePast]

Alas, she died of childbed complications a little over a year after Henry's death. She also caught her last husband, Thomas Seymour, making inappropriate advances on her step-daughter, Elizabeth, when she was living under their care.

[@mjc63]

It didn’t go so well as she married Thomas Seymour, had his child, died shortly after her daughter was born and was largely suspicious of his intentions toward young Elizabeth. Thomas was later executed after killing young King Edward’s dog. So Katherine Parr’s legacy was more or less providing a home for the Tudor children and nursing the King.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

@@mjc63 He wasn't killed for killing the dog! He was killed for trying to abduct the king! Or whatever his intent was. It was certainly grabbing power

[@tintinhickey5869]

She died in childbirth and her last husband was executed for treason (he was Edward VIII's uncle)

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

@@mjc63 he did tried to marry Elizabeth when she died but couldnt, lucky Edward saw through that plot

[@deb-1558]

I've been to Sudeley Castle a few times which is where she lived. Its amazing to see remaing bits of her red hair and textile of her dress which was recovered from somebody opening her tomb within the church there.

[@heatheralice89]

I have learnt so much from this video that I never knew about Katherine Parr.

[@gafls3151]

Love the episodes about the history behind the symbolism in art.

[@lucygilligan477]

How different might the post-Henry period have been had he nominated Catherine Parr as Protector, rather than the council that then tussled over control?

[@Xhante]

I loved this video. I just wish it were longer. Katherine Parr is my favorite Queen of Henry’s. I would have liked to hear more about her.

[@janicejanostak2545]

I find katherine parr to be a fascinating, intelligent woman and would eagerly watch any more videos you wanted to do about the remainder of her life.

[@tomjares7559]

Katherine Parr also published two books during her lifetime; a true feat in the male dominated English society of the 1500’s.

[@Natalie_11188]

Wasn’t she the first woman in England to be published under her own name?

[@thomasjares3428]

@@Natalie_11188 Yes, I believe she was.

[@mellie4174]

Would love a longer video with more details about her :)

[@melissaknive3494]

So great!!! I would have been happy with twice the length! Your discussion about the portrait is particularly fascinating!

[@christinemay859]

I have recently discovered your channel and love your videos. A while ago on the Anne Boleyn Files under the title "5 September 1548 Catherine Parr dies at Sudeley Castle" I found this account of Katherine Parr's appearance, after her remains were accidentally exposed many years after her death. Quote ” A witness told of how the body was dressed in “costly burial clothes”, including shoes, and described the Queen’s appearance: “all her proportions extremely delicate; and she particularly noticed, that traces of beauty were still perceptible in the countenance, of which the features were at that time perfect”. She is never portrayed as beautiful but she surely must have been.

[@jenniferp5916]

King Henry liked attractive and dainty women, but we don't always share their concept of beauty. Today's ideal of beauty generally prefers highly exaggerated and overly made up plastic dolls over the natural!

[@lantonella236]

Loved this topic and appreciated the picture you've painted of this woman. Thanks.

[@alysencameron361]

Would you do a continuation of Parr, in particular, explaining why she could not create a regency government for Edward?

[@Autumn1988]

Powerful men outmanoeuvred her and then she died in chodbed

[@Autumn1988]

**childbed

[@janellinger4492]

I'm so glad you did this video. I was always shocked with Henry's family portrait. What a great move on her part. From what I've read about her, I think she would have made a very good regent. I wonder how this would have changed both Mary's and Elizabeth's reigns.

[@jamesridewood4118]

Dear Dr Kat., Well done, asu sual. Your explanation of a complex situation is a joy to hear. My best from the bottom the world.

[@amandabauer6146]

Great video Dr Kat!

[@candyclews4047]

I love Katherine Parr, her commitment to all her husbands and her step children but most of all, her intelligent approach to religious reforms. I would love to sit down and have dinner with her!

[@chloe_speaks2384]

I'd like to see a video on Catherine's sister Anne Parr. I read that she was a lady-in-waiting to all six of Henry's wives, so she basically had a front-row seat to all of his shenanigans.

[@ShiningFriendship87]

Catherine Parr was my favorite of Henry VIII’s wives! She was kind, intelligent, shrewd, politically-savvy, and a wonderful stepmother to his three children.

[@eacarr05carr50]

Okay, love the going over the artwork and it’s symbolism. Can you do a series on this with English queens?? Or anything about symbolism in royal paintings??

[@seto749]

I heard a lecture some time ago with the interesting tidbit that she had a great passion for clocks.

[@lexomil1414]

thank you I learnt even more abut the Great Katheryn Parr thanks to your analysis of the portrait.

[@pierrefireball2505]

Hello Dr. Kat, you are amazingly good at telling US how, and when history was made and how it change the way WE perceived history. When I was much younger I wanted to be an History teacher, didn't happen I took another pat, but history is and remain my favorite subject. I'm so good at it that friends usualy say : wait ask Pierre about it. I'm more scholar about it that you are. You are by far what I would have love to have for professor then. Because I would have continued had I had YOU into my life. Thank you very kindly for your work and your generosity for doing so. Sorry english isn't my main language.

[@VLove-CFII]

ANOTHER EXCELLENT VIDEO. Thank You!

[@wandasimons3305]

Amazing video as always. I enjoy your channel immensely!

[@angelasmith5174]

Anne of cleve's and Katherine Parr seems to be the two most overlooked of Henry's Queens. Both were kind, practical and courageous. Katherine was highly intelligent and an author on religion. She has my admiration. Anne of cleve's was also practical and a survivor. I love both of them. I love all of Henry's Queens all for many different reasons. I'd love to see a video on elizabeth woodville and her mother jaquetta. Was she not a Duchess from Luxembourg? I would love to learn more.

[@SF-ru3lp]

Brilliantly insightful Dr Kat. Thank you. Very enjoyable. G Ire

[@GradKat]

Excellent video! I’m so glad I came across your channel. Love those Tudor portraits!

[@Laramaria2]

Katherine Parr 💙 she was a remarkable woman!

[@barbaracriss3614]

Huge fan of Dr Kat's. My COVID project has been my family genealogy. Thomas Tresham was my 16th great grandfather. Thank you soo much for this video. I am still reeling from the discovery...This video helped

[@jenniferhosmer9180]

Dr Kat your videos are always fabulous!!!

[@sandilthomas896]

Dr. Kat, I absolutely love your videos. I could (and have) watched you for hours! Thank you so much for sharing your hard work and wisdom with us!

[@JB-ox7ib]

Really enjoy your vids including that little ditty type music 😊. Thank you 🙏

[@janicesnyder9305]

It is amazing the small details you pull from the portrait and explain the symbolism.

[@anitapike4592]

Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you!

[@redalcock4704]

I found this intriguing. I discovered your videos about three days ago and have watched several since then. I find them very informative. I especially like the way that you shine a light on a range of women from the past. Thank you for that. I like your presentation and your obvious research. I will keep watching

[@DrEdwardTsang]

Thank you for producing such an insightful video!

[@amandavictoriasewell7393]

Fascinating. Thank you - these programmes really help me to navigate my way through 'The Mirror & the Light. I am enthralled now by this period in history.

[@giddygrub7176]

I'm finding that more difficult to get my teeth into than the first 2 books.

[@Amc933]

I am late to viewing this but it is amazing! A whole new look at Katherine Parr and her unappreciated positives... Thanks, Dr. Kat.

[@RussiaIsARiddle778]

I loved this video. I guess that the novelty of painting, because I know how she was needed to run things. Well Henry was in France and her intellect would be well known, and they wish to please their master. ❤

[@ingerfaber3411]

As always very interesting thank you so much ☺

[@bkathrynbladgett8274]

Wow Dr, I got a reply from you! Great! I am use to speaking to the universe lol! Ty so much for your email. Love your programs.

[@kogotokLenok]

Thank you for the great video!

[@shannonellenp]

I thought Anne of Cleves was my fave.... until now! Great video

[@francescaseyer4709]

Thank you for these details about Katherine Parr. I’ve read many books about her, both factual and fictional as you said, but today I’ve learned many more interesting details about the person that she was 👍👍👍

[@cindyclark8983]

Love your bits of history and insight. Also love your rubber tudor ducks behind you.

[@deniserichardson5965]

Fascinating!! Symbolism and paintings and the messages they spoke. Reminds me of the undercurrent messaging in Shakespeare plays. Love the videos, they are addictive...lol. Keep them coming :)

[@Herries8325]

This is brilliant. it will make me feel powerful for the rest of the day. :-} I am so pissed off that she didn't head up a Regency Counsel. she'd proved herself perfect for the role.

[@manekakapoor1612]

I'm related to Catherine Parr on my English mother's side.

[@tatjanastamenkovska7808]

You are amazing. I love all of your videos😊

[@Pixiesnix]

I'm a caregiver, and I object to the idea that having that role makes one boring or is something to be looked down upon. It is an exhausting, draining, and (clearly) unappreciated job. We often DO have to have the patience of a saint to deal with not only our charges, but being ignored, looked down upon, and taken for granted.

[@dionepastor6166]

I absolutely love your channel!!! Anyway you could do a segment on Lord Byron???

[@maryloumawson6006]

I think Katherine Parr may have had some influence on how Elizabeth I conducted herself and promoted her own Queenship. If you put this portrait beside one of Elizabeth's, you can see they are both instruments of propaganda and meant to convey power and majesty. The imagery of Katherine standing on the Turkish rug is mirrored in Gloriana pictures of Elizabeth with decked out in her own finery. Thanks for bringing out the facts of this painting. It really does put a new perspective on Katherine Parr that I had not considered. But I have always wondered how she felt about "The family of Henry III" painting.

[@bbond7840]

I’m so fascinated that people know for sure who these portraits are. They all look the same to me. 😂 the dresses change and the faces stay the same! The sketches used to make the paintings look more like different, but real people.

[@jenniferp5916]

I agree. I find the faces look so much alike. I assumed the court painter had a certain style he kept to.

[@santi7616]

Your videos are super interesting. Thank you very much. 😊 Greetings!!!

[@wawawa0234]

excellent video!!!!

[@businessfinancecoach]

I believed Catherine Parr had that portrait made for Henry - of him, eduard and eduard's mother, elizabeth and mary

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Congrats on 20k subscribers

[@helenangus1675]

Tell me more about this amazing queen.

[@doesthisfacemakemelooklike535]

Anne Boleyn is Catherine Parr, Queen consort of England and Ireland's fourth cousin once removed. Catherine Parr, Queen consort of England and Ireland → Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal her father → Elizabeth Vaux his mother → Alice Fitzhugh her mother → Alice Montagu (Montacute), 5th Countess of Salisbury her mother → Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury her father → Lady Anne Hankford, Duchess of Exeter his sister → Anne Butler, Countess of Ormond her daughter → Margaret Boleyn her daughter → Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire. her son → Anne Boleyn his daughter

[@JustJaime2]

The rubber duckies on your shelf behind you are awesome!! Lol 😆

[@leslieannashing8911]

Fascinating analysis of Catherine Parr's portrait. Was wanting to hear what Catherine did upon Henry's death and up until coronation of Edward VI.

[@chrisobrien5633]

Hi Dr.Kat so glad I found the channel. I have one question is there any known surviving communications between Edward VI and Queen Katherine Parr? Thanks Chris

[@LavenderLori406]

She was such a fascinating woman! So much more of her story! Thanks to you! So interesting all the points of the portrait. My last name is Parr and I was always told she is my ancestry. There is question as to her having had a child... what do you know? Thank you so much!

[@robinhumphrey2692]

Short and sweet! 😊

[@ellieaylen337]

More about Katherine please!

[@Charly-H]

Dr Kat always smiles with her eyes

[@Myke_OBrien]

She was a brilliant woman. Well educated and definitely politically savvy. I’d very much like to see a more in-depth video on her life.

[@1998babybear]

During presentation, all I could do was envision the actors on The Tudors! 1st class Dr Kat.

[@nobodysbaby5048]

They did a too notch job on cast selection & costuming.

[@mjc63]

Excellent points concerning one of the least remembered, yet clearly most intelligent sixth wife of Henry VIII. I am subscribed!

[@Jeffhowardmeade]

I had a history prof who once referred to her as "the bravest woman in history".

[@ReadingthePast]

I fully agree! Luckily for her, that bravery was also served with a full side of common-sense, cunning and self-control! She might be my favourite!

[@neilbuckley1613]

I hope I am not being cynical, but I think she would have been even braver [ also foolish ] to have said no to Henry.

[@YT4Me57]

In history? I doubt that. There were and are women all over the world for millennia who could be placed in the same category for reasons other than merely figuring out how to maneuver as a political tool. Your former professor needs to expand his horizons beyond that of the European theater in Medieval times.

[@dragonclaws9367]

I love your Henry and Anne rubber ducks! Do I see Will Shakespeare there too? ( I am a bookshelf voyeur, have been having great fun in the home broadcast age of news.)

[@finnjones6912]

Thank you Dr Kat...always entertaining and informative. How old was she at the time of the portrait?. On a superficial note....she was very attractive

[@lilystonne4108]

I did not know about the significance of Turkish carpets, and the other symbols of status and royalty. Thank you for giving us a clearer picture of Katherine Parr as a person with plans for a life after Henry. Too bad she was not allowed to be regent to Edward VI. Who knows what could have happened.

[@deborahwilliams-rowley4281]

Love your videos I also think your ducks are adorable

[@brittanybales715]

Can you do a video on cathren of arigon, Henry 8s first wife?

[@MartaEzis]

As to the statement about no queen wearing a crown in a painting before: I´m confused. There are pictures and illustrations of queens wearing crowns 200 years prior to this. Joana of France, Blanche of Navarre, wife of King Philip VI of France, Beatrix of Bourbon, the queen of Bohemia, Eliška Přemyslovna, the queen of Bohemia and others. Where does this information come from? Does this perhaps only regard realistic portraits? Perhaps I didn´t understand properly, English is not my first language.

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

Catherine parr is very interesting, she married Thomas Seymour, brother of jane and the lord protector so she still had an active role in court and was expected to be treated as a queen dispite Henry being dead, I don't believe she tended to Henry as a "nurse maid", more like monitored him, affterall she is a queen and is descended from nobility and kings of England, it was nice to know she had a good relationship with all her step children and was technically the reason why Henry changed his will so that his daughters could inherit.

[@notbill08]

Did u do another video sequel on Katherine Parr?

[@susannemulholland4804]

Have you done a video on Catherine Howard?

[@mariannenielsen425]

Very interesting, thank you. Why was Cathrine pushed out after Henrys death?