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Catherine Howard

Catherine Howard was Queen of England from 1540 to 1541 as the fifth wife of Henry VIII.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Catherine Howard was Queen of England from 1540 to 1541 as the fifth wife of Henry VIII. She was arrested for adultery and treason, convicted, and executed in 1542 at the Tower of London. Her exact birth date is unknown, but she was likely born in the early 1520s.

Early life

Catherine Howard was born into the Howard family, one of the most prominent noble families in Tudor England. Her father was Lord Edmund Howard, and she was a cousin of Anne Boleyn.

Marriage to Henry VIII

She came to court as a lady-in-waiting and married Henry VIII in 1540 after he had divorced Anne of Cleves. She was Henry's fifth wife and was still very young at the time of the marriage.

Downfall and execution

Investigations into her past and alleged conduct at court led to charges of adultery and treason. She was imprisoned, convicted, and executed at the Tower of London in February 1542.

Historical legacy

Catherine Howard is often remembered as one of Henry VIII's most tragic queens. Her short life and dramatic downfall have made her a recurring figure in Tudor history and popular culture.

Key facts

  • Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of Henry VIII and served as queen consort of England.
  • She married Henry VIII in July 1540 and lost her position as queen in November 1541.
  • She was a cousin of Anne Boleyn and belonged to the Howard noble family.
  • Catherine was arrested after allegations of premarital and extramarital sexual relationships.
  • She was executed by beheading at the Tower of London on 13 February 1542.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Catherine Howard?
Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of Henry VIII and Queen of England from 1540 to 1541.
When was Catherine Howard born?
Her exact birth date is unknown; most sources place her birth around 1521 to 1524.
Why was Catherine Howard executed?
She was executed after being accused and convicted of adultery and treason.
Was Catherine Howard related to Anne Boleyn?
Yes. Catherine Howard was Anne Boleyn's cousin.
Where was Catherine Howard executed?
She was executed at the Tower of London on 13 February 1542.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-Howard
    Supports: Queen of England as Henry VIII's fifth wife; approximate birth; execution date; allegations of adultery and treason.
  2. History.co.uk — https://www.history.co.uk/biographies/catherine-howard
    Supports: Family background; relationship to Anne Boleyn; service as lady-in-waiting; execution.
  3. Historic Royal Palaces — https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/catherine-howard/
    Supports: Marriage to Henry VIII; age context; execution at the Tower of London.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Howard
    Supports: Reign dates; title; death date; general biographical outline.