Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/417

THE OBSEQUIES OF QUEEN KATHARINE OF AREAGON AT PETERBOROUGH. BY THE REV. CHARLES HENRY HARTSHORXE, M.A. In inviting the attention of the Archaeological Institute to some ilhistrations of the obsequies of Queen Katharine which have not been previously brought forward, it will not be necessary for me to introduce them by making allusions, at any great length, to the various events that chequered her unfortunate life. These have been often described ; and there are few subjects connected with English history better understood. And indeed, after the impartial and careful biography M'hich the world has received from an accomplished authoress, it would, even if occasion permitted, be usurping too much space at present. From the days of this ill-fated Queen down to our own, there has been an unanimous concurrence of opinion amongst all writers, an universal verdict has been pronounced by successive generations, that her conduct, in every respect, was worthy of her regal dignity, and entirely irreproachable. AVitness her firm, but respectful, obedience to Henry VIIL, her sense of conjugal dut}^ her purity of life, her humble and religious demeanour, and the resignation, only equalled by her mag- nanimity and independence, which all show that no one ever set forth more conspicuously these virtues than Queen Kath- arine did in her days of degradation and sorrow. So that the wish put into her dying lips by the greatest of all poets has been fully accomplished, and " the speakers of her living actions have kept her honour from corruption." Yet it will be needful to call to recollection a few incidents in Queen Katharine's life, or there will be an indistinct idea of the interest attaching to the circumstances of her death. She came at the early age of sixteen to England, betrothed to Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VIL, to whom she was married in 1501, with much pomp and rejoicing. This apparently happy union subsisted but a very short time, as the young prince died at Ludlow Castle in the following