Katherine Parr

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KP 's interventions in national and ecclesiastical history in the earlier sixteenth century, at the time of the Reformation (which were more far-reaching than has often been recognised), rested on her skill in writing and her faith in the educational power of reading. She produced (besides letters) religious writings: prayers and meditations.
Photograph of half-length portrait of Katherine Parr, painted on wood by an unknown artist. shown from the waist up. She wears a red dress with full sleeves, lavish gold stitching, and white frills at the cuff and standing collar. With this go three gold rings and a heavy gold necklace with pearls and gems. Her brown hair is covered by a white, pearl-edged headpiece and a soft black hat with gold stitching, a tassel, and a white feather. Her name is written in gold next to her face: "Katherine Parre". Natio

Milestones

1512, probably August

KP was born, either in London or in Buckinghamshire; she was the middle one of three children.
The belief that she was born at her father's castle at Kendal in Westmorland is mistaken. The date of her birth used to be given until recently as 1513-14.
Edwards, Philip. Conversation about Katherine Parr with Isobel Grundy.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.
Weinstein, Minna F. “The Queen’s Power: The Case of Katherine Parr”. History Today, Vol.
26
, pp. 788-94.
789

By 1544

KP apparently wrote a prayer (recorded under her name by John Strype ) for English soldiers abroad, later printed as A praier for men to say entring into battaile.
Martienssen, Anthony. Queen Katherine Parr. McGraw-Hill.
179-80
Parr, Katherine. Prayers Stirryng the Mynd unto Heavenlye Medytacions. Thomas Berthelet.
E.i

2 June 1545

The Queen's Prayers, or Prayers or Meditations, the first printed book to bear KP 's name, appeared in print, according to a modern edition.
ODNB gives its publication date as 29 May 1545.
Weinstein, Minna F. “The Queen’s Power: The Case of Katherine Parr”. History Today, Vol.
26
, pp. 788-94.
791

5 September 1548

KP died of puerperal fever at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, after bearing a daughter on 30 August.
Martienssen, Anthony. Queen Katherine Parr. McGraw-Hill.
237-8

Biography

Birth and Influences

1512, probably August

KP was born, either in London or in Buckinghamshire; she was the middle one of three children.
The belief that she was born at her father's castle at Kendal in Westmorland is mistaken. The date of her birth used to be given until recently as 1513-14.
Edwards, Philip. Conversation about Katherine Parr with Isobel Grundy.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.
Matthew, Henry Colin Gray et al., editors. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. http://www.oxforddnb.com/.
Weinstein, Minna F. “The Queen’s Power: The Case of Katherine Parr”. History Today, Vol.
26
, pp. 788-94.
789

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