The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr: What Really Happened to Henry VIII's Last Queen?

by June Woolerton

What killed Katherine Parr?

She was the ultimate Tudor survivor, the queen who managed to outwit and outlive Henry VIII. Yet just over eighteen months after his passing, Katherine Parr was dead. She had been one of the most powerful people in the country, even ruling England for her royal husband, yet she had died hundreds of miles from court and been quickly buried in a tiny chapel with few royal trappings. Her grave was lost for centuries only for her corpse to be mutilated after it was rediscovered during a tea party. The death of Katherine Parr is one of the strangest of any royals – and one of the most mysterious.

The final days of Henry VIII’s last queen included a faithless husband and rumors of a royal affair while the weeks after her funeral swirled with whispers of poison and murder. The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr dives into the calamitous and tumultuous events leading up to the last hours of a once powerful queen and the bizarre happenings that followed her passing.

From the elaborate embalming of her body, that left it in a state of perfect preservation for almost three centuries despite a burial just yards from her place of death, to the still unexplained disappearance, without trace, of her baby, the many questions surrounding the death of Queen Katherine are examined in a new light.

This brand new book from royal author and historian June Woolerton brings together, for the first time, all the known accounts of the strange rediscovery of Katherine’s tomb and the even odder decision to leave it open to the elements and graverobbers for decades to ask – how did Katherine Parr really die?

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Tudor Period, Royalty

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Henry VIII died in 1547, his widow Katherine Parr was not only still considered to be Queen, she was also free to remarry - which she did, six months later, to the man who became her fourth husband, Thomas Seymour. Then Katherine found herself pregnant - and eight days after the birth of her only child, a daughter, Katherine was dead and hastily buried.

Woolerton takes the reader through the discovery of Katherine's tomb at Sudeley, the rumours surrounding her death, and her rather hasty and low key funeral. Katherine's husband - Thomas Seymour - hot-foots it back to London, leaving the newborn in the care - initially - of Katherine's attendants. We already know that Katherine's daughter Mary will soon be left without both mother or father, as after a plot was discovered to put the protestant Elizabeth on the throne, her father Sir Thomas Seymour was beheaded for treason.

Woolerton explores Katherine's final months and days, and notes her actions were in sharp contrast to the self-assured woman she was prior to and during her marriage to Henry VIII - and considers this against the backdrop of what we already know - or think we know. Katherine's funeral, in stark contrast to other female monarchs was, as mentioned, a rather hasty and covert affair, not even attended by her husband - and Woolerton delves into this quite deeply, as she does with Katherine's will.

I found Woolerton's exploration of events quite engaging and her open-mindedness to other hypothesis rather refreshing. She posits a number of plausible theories for Katherine's actions and behaviours after Henry's death whilst exploring Seymour's own actions against the changing political tableau.

A must for Tudor lovers, and for those with an interest in royalty and notable women.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Katherine Parr, sixth & final wife of Henry VIII of England. Katherine Parr has always been a sort of afterthought in the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII & her life after Henry's death is eclipsed by her decision to marry Thomas Seymour who was executed as a traitor shortly after her death. It seems that she was allowed to fade into the background, even in death, & her tomb was lost for many years before being rediscovered in the ruined church at Sudeley Castle. Why would a former Queen of England be buried in a small church on a private estate & then forgotten?

Wow, this had a lot of information about Katherine Parr that was completely new to me. It's wild to realise that what we think of her & her death is mostly based on conjecture which doesn't hold up under close scrutiny. The evidence here suggests that Katherine Parr did not die of puerperal fever (infection during childbirth) as widely thought, but lived for several days afterwards with no sign of illness until she suddenly announced that she felt that she was not going to live & that someone close to her was responsible. Her death was mightily convenient for her enemies at court & her (seemingly untrustworthy) husband who was aiming for more power, but it may have been coincidence. The disappearance of her daughter with Seymour from official records is also strange.

We may never know why or how Katherine Parr died, indeed there are aspects which will never be proved one way or another such as why none of her stepchildren or her daughter were mentioned in her will & the only one to benefit was the husband she was supposedly suspicious of. This book argues that we should remember her not as a dull, dour, staidly matron, but as an educated, powerful, religious reformer who stood in for Henry VIII as Regent during his last war in France. There was some repetition in places but overall it was a well-written factual discussion of the evidence. The author does a great job of covering the facts without trying to sway the reader, & it's possible that Katherine either died from plague or there could have been foul play, i.e. poison. It made me wonder why I have never thought to question the official narrative before. 4.5 stars (rounded up)

Thanks to NetGalley & publisher, Pen & Sword History, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Mai H.]

Non-fiction November TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History

[Madeline Elsinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5 stars rounded down to 4

Thank you to netgalley and Pen & Sword for the eARC!

Really interesting look at the life, death, funeral, and discovery of Parr’s tomb. Author gives a brief overview of Parr’s life and just how influential she was as Queen!

Author also gives evidence of what we do know about Parr and the typical practices of this time period. I loved the theories and how the author would talk about the possibilities surrounding Parr’s death and funeral arrangements, but then point to other sources/past events to show how unlikely it would be! For example she discussed the funeral being such a rushed and less than royal affair for a queen, and Parr followed the new religion (Protestantism) which would explain why the funeral was so different as it was a first for a royal funeral to not follow the old, Catholic ways. However, it didn’t explain why she was buried in a small private chapel and not buried in London or a royal chapel, given how much embalming she had done and how uncommon it was for royals to be buried in the same place where they died!

I was just fascinated by the whole thing! The theories, getting to know more about the practices of the time period, learning more about Katherine Parr. It made my little Tudor obsessed heart happy 🫶

The one “negative” I’d have is that some of the information can get repetitive. The author goes over some previously discussed info in multiple chapters so it could become tedious at times, but other times it was nice to have the reminder in a new context.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in the Tudor’s or 16th century historical period! Given the amount of information, some reviewers had said it was dense which I disagree, but it maybe isn’t for casual readers and only interesting for history nerds who like such a niche topic?

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr by June Woolerton explores the life and death of the last Wife of King Henry VIII.
I found the book extremely interesting and discovered so much about what a complex and surprising woman Katherine Parr was and how under rated and talked about she was.
“For centuries, she has been remembered as a supplement to the men she married and a survivor who managed to outlive a king who had already had two previous wives killed. Yet the woman buried beneath remains the only commoner to have ruled England as regent, and she was instrumental in paving the way for female rule in the country.”
Katherine Parr was a truly powerful and influential woman, not only in her dealings with a short tempered king, but in raising children that would one day ruling England, as well as ruling herself.

“Katherine learned languages including Latin and French, while Maud was deeply interested in humanism and employed tutors who encouraged her children to question and to debate.”
Katherine valued education for everyone, and was extremely educated herself.

I found the references to her will and bequeathments to be extremely interesting especially when referencing the way women were regarded during that time period. Not leaving anything to her child, or step children that she adored definitely makes you look at it differently.
And learning so much negative information about her husband Thomas Seymour was surprising. This was definitely a part of history that has not been explored in most historical references.

I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about such an intriguing period of time and a truly powerful underrated woman.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. This review is honest and freely given.

“In the tumbledown remnants of a royal castle at Sudeley, on a quiet May afternoon, a spade hit soft earth. Birds soared overhead while the sheep who lived in surrounding green fields of the Cotswolds bleated gently. Suddenly, the peace was shattered as the spade made contact with hard metal……..within minutes, a leaded casket had been uncovered.”

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s 6th and final wife was well written and extremely interesting. I enjoy reading about the Tudor Court and I have read lots of books by Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory and John Guy. This is my first book by June Woolerton, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike Alison Weir, or Philippa Gregory this book is not dramatized history- but it is well written, and interesting. I was never bored, and my mind never wandered while reading…..which sometimes happens to me when the book is pure history.

The author lays out cases for many causes of death, which are compelling. I enjoyed how she ultimately she asks the questions but leaves it up to readers to decide what is true. I do find it odd that a Queen of England’s tomb was lost to history, mistreated, lost again and then finally received the burial she deserved. I also find it odd that in many of the books I have read about Katherine, a lot of her contributions to the reformist cause is glossed over. I also didn’t realize some of the contributions she made during the reign of Henry VIII. I knew she narrowly avoided arrest, but Woolerton tells the story of an intelligent, cunning and interesting woman. Katherine is so much more than the final wife of Henry VIII, and I learned things about her I didn’t know.

I highly recommend this read, it was fantastic from start to finish.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I saved the best to last loved this book truly fascinating and well researched

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

While I would have preferred if Woolerton had stuck to chronological order of events, i get she wanted to double back and forth between Katherine parr's life and death to keep underlining the point this is weird!

And it is - after Henry VIII's death, Katherine Parr suddenly acts so out of character for the last year of her life that if she was a character on a tv show, the fans would be eviscerating the writers and showrunners. She goes from calm, cool and collected to midnight sexcapades, an elopement, and assisting in child abuse. Da faq?

Then, at her death, her symptoms were odd, even for a "geriatric" childbirth, the choice of housing right before the birth doesn't make sense, her husband Thomas Seymour is acting more and more unbalanced, her words on her deathbed are damming of said Thomas Seymour - and then highly contradicted by a very out-of-the-norm-for-the-times will that just leaves everything to Thomas, her death is kept oddly quiet, her funeral is ridiculously small for so important a person, and she was wrapped up tight and stuck in the ground so quick it makes you wonder if someone (cough*Thomas*cough) didn't want anyone getting a good look at the body.

All the while Woolerton describes just how weird, odd and suspicious the end of Katherine's life was, she loudly bugles just how awesome Katherine was before that - showing us what an amazing reformer, politician, writer, leader, teacher, and mother she was. How much she helped people. How much she was capable at leading. And how utterly screwed she got at the end.

A wonderful biography of Katherine Parr that reminds how much she accomplished besides "surviving Henry VII" and "marrying Thomas Seymour" and how many questions we should be asking ourselves about what really happened at the end.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley

Sometimes, when you are talking to someone else who is interested in the Tudors, the conversation turns to “which of the six wives do you like best” question. I find the question difficult. I like Catherine of Aragorn and Anne Boleyn for the same reason – they stood tall and firm for what they believed. One wonders if they had teamed up, what would have happened to Henry VIII. But not to be for a host of reasons, Henry VIII being the least. There is something about Anne Cleves who came out the winner. Jane Seymour and Katherine Howard are a bit more nebulous. Then there is Katherine Parr who become Henry VIII’s widow, being married to him at the time of his death. I always thought that she was the smart one. Not that I saw Anne of Cleves as dumb, but Parr had an education that Cleves was denied.

The thing about Parr is that while she survived Henry VIII she died just over a year and a half after he did. She had re-married and died shortly after she gave birth to her first, and only biological child. Parr had been married twice before she wed Henry, and after his death, she married Thomas Seymour, brother to Jane Seymour and uncle to Edward VI. The standard story is that Parr and Seymour had flirted after the death of her second husband, but Henry VIII wanted her for himself, so Seymour stepped aside. After the king’s death, the two got back together, with Parr eventually dying due to something to do with childbirth. Sad but not as fascinating as say Boleyn’s and Catherine’s determination. Survivor but not in the same quasi funny look at Henry get his way that Anne of Cleves is. And, despite the sexual element with Seymour, Katherine Howard somehow feels sexier. It’ s not Parr is boring or uninteresting. She survived a plot to remove her. There just seems to be less questions about her.

And then June Woolerton’s book came along.

If a reader goes into this book thinking that Woolerton is going to provide blockbuster evidence that Parr was murdered by the dastardly Seymour, the reader is going to be disappointed. Woolerton notes that there is no hard-core proof either way. Rather, it would be best to view this book as re-centering Katherine at the heart of her own story and as something other than simply wife and mother. While Woolerton opens with the discovery of Katherine’s tomb, she quickly y goes into depth with Katherine before her marriage to Henry VIII. This isn’t just her birth family but also the children she became step mother to, and how in at least one case she protected the children.

Woolerton does tackle the death of Parr, and while doing so, does the title of the book justice. She closely examines not only Parr’s death (convincingly pushing back on the childbirth infection cause of death argument) but also her burial. Woolerton details how Parr’s funeral was different than other royal funerals and the possible reason for it. This is also tied with not only her death but also her relationship with Thomas Seymour.

In fact, Woolerton’s discussion about why Parr married Seymour is in many ways the most fascinating. Because of the amount of time that has past and the destruction of letters, there is no way that anyone can really know, but Woolerton uses comparison between Parr’s letters to her previous husbands and to Seymour to present a plausible explanation outside of love or infatuation. She also addresses the Elizabeth dress cutting incident.

And yes, Woolerton does address and examine Parr’s death. She considers possibilities, while admitting early on that there is no way to note. She places Parr’s death in relation to the death of other royal queens due childbirth as well as looking at the first-hand accounts of Parr’s last days. The possibilities do not just include poison, and Woolerton doesn’t really seem to endorse one possibility over the others. She also, as in other sections of the book, is careful and thorough enough to present the weakness of each theory as well as the strengths.

While Woolerton does extensively use first-hand sources, quoting long lengths of letters, her writing is engaging and her love and interest in the subject shine clearly. She may not have a clean cut “a-ha” evidence, but she does get the reader to look at Parr’s life and death differently. Which was her point.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#TudorNonfictionChallenge hosted by @cha_ye

I rate this 3.5 out of 5.

I want to thank Pen & Sword Publishing and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

Brief Summary: Katherine Parr's legacy is often overshadowed by her final two marriages. As the final queen of Henry VIII, she is viewed as a nursemaid to an ailing tyrant. As the wife of Thomas Seymour, she is seen as a woman driven by a passion for a man of "great wit and little sense". However, her impact on English history is undeniable if only it can be uncovered. How did a woman who reached the pinnacle of power at the Tudor court fade from history? Woolerton attempts to answer this question by exploring what Parr's death and final resting place say about her life.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot. It reads like a true crime biography of a Tudor icon and I read the whole book in nearly a single setting.

I will start by saying that Woolerton's interest and passion for the subject of Katherine Parr is clear throughout the book. That being said, the writing was not my favourite. It was very repetitive in many places and there were several times where it was frustrating because it felt like entire sections could have been cut. After all, I just read the contents in another paragraph.

The most fascinating part of this book was what happened to Parr's body after her sudden death. I had no idea how much vandalism and investigation occurred at her final resting place. The first chapter where Woolerton outlines many of the details about these events grabbed my attention immediately. I had never heard any of the information surrounding these events and the way that they were presented was well throughout and captivating.

However, my favourite part of the book was Woolerton's thoughts on why Parr may have married Seymour. This theory provided a new perspective which I had not considered before and is something that I think is a perfectly logical explanation of events. While this portion of this book was more conjecture than specific fact, Woolerton does a good job of laying out the evidence to support the conjecture.

This is a very interesting book and is likely to spark some thoughts for any lover of Tudor history. I think that this is an excellent book to introduce you to the life and legacy of Katherine Parr. It provides you with a clear overview of her life and legacy. It also poses important questions to consider about the final 20 months of her life.

Content Warnings
Graphically described: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Death, and Child Death

Moderately described: War, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Murder, Death of a parent, Classism, and Grief

Minor description: Religious bigotry and Infidelity

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very glad to read this book, I love all aspects of Tudor history, and the mysterious death of Queen Katherine Parr, has always sat uneasily on me. Why would such a strong intelligent woman, famed for her wisdom, kindness to her Royal step children, her interest in the new religion, her ability to be a regent in her husbands absence , marry such a self promoting man as Thomas Seymour?
The King was her fourth husband, and reports seem to suggest they had a cordial and friendly relationship, and a love of debate. Queen Katherine was responsible for getting Princess Mary and her half sister Elizabeth restored to the line of succession, why would she throw all this affection and goodwill away? Even more bewildering, where did her baby daughter,Lady Mary Seymour disappear to?
There are times when a Time Machine would be a marvellous solution to all these questions.
The idea discussed in this book is that Katherine married Thomas Seymour to protect the reputation of her step daughter Princess Elizabeth. When Elizabeth was under the guardianship of Katherine, Thomas was overly friendly towards her, and may even have proposed marriage to the young girl. Any hint of scandal would have prevented her from claiming the throne of England, and may even have resulted her being confined to the Tower of London or forcibly married off to a foreign ruler.
Katherine had a very hasty funeral and internment , did she die from puerperal fever following childbirth, or this book suggests perhaps the plague. A new and novel theory, that would certainly explain the almost indecent haste and secrecy involved.
A well researched and thought provoking read, it has certainly given me much food for thought, I will definitely do more reading and a visit to Sudeley Castle beckons!! A interesting life by all accounts, but such a miserable and confusing ending, poor lady.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Pen and Sword History, for my advanced digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I have given a five star rating, so many intriguing theories to explore.

[Chelsea Littleton-Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" by June Woolerton, readers are transported back to the tumultuous final days of Henry VIII's reign as they delve into the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the demise of his sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr.

Woolerton's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding Katherine's death. From her unexpected demise just eighteen months after Henry's passing to the bizarre events that followed her burial, Woolerton leaves no stone unturned in her quest to uncover the truth behind one of Tudor history's most enduring mysteries.

What sets "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" apart is its exploration of the lesser-known aspects of Katherine's final days and the peculiarities surrounding her burial and subsequent rediscovery. Woolerton meticulously examines the evidence, from the elaborate embalming of Katherine's body to the unexplained disappearance of her baby, painting a vivid portrait of a queen whose fate remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Throughout the book, Woolerton skilfully navigates the complex web of historical accounts and theories surrounding Katherine's death, offering readers a tantalising glimpse into the intrigue and machinations of the Tudor court. With each page, readers are drawn deeper into the mystery, eagerly following Woolerton's investigation as she seeks to unravel the truth behind Katherine's untimely demise.

"The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" is a captivating blend of history and mystery that will appeal to fans of Tudor-era intrigue. Woolerton's meticulous attention to detail and engaging storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone fascinated by the enigmatic figures and events of the Tudor period.

Overall, "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of one of history's most enduring mysteries. Woolerton's insightful analysis and compelling narrative make this book a standout contribution to Tudor scholarship, shedding new light on the life and death of one of England's most fascinating queens.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In June 1548,Catherine, moved to Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.It was there that Catherine would spend the last few months of her pregnancy and the last summer of her life.Catherine gave birth to her only biological child,Mary Seymour,on 30 August 1548.Catherine died on 5 September 1548, at Sudeley Castle, from what is thought to have been "childbed fever".Catherine's funeral was held on 7 September 1548.It was the first Protestant funeral held in English.She was buried in St.Mary's Chapel on the grounds of Sudeley Castle.There were theories that Katherine's last husband,Thomas Seymour,1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley poisoned her since he was power hungry and had made inappropriate advances towards the future Elizabeth I,who was Katherine's stepdaughter.She was also buried very quickly after her demise and her stepchildren weren't mentioned in her will.Her legacy was forgotten until way later on.
During the English Civil War, Sudeley Castle was used as a base by King Charles I,and with sieges taking place in 1643 and 1649,along with numerous change of hands,Catherine's grave was probably disturbed and her monument destroyed.The castle was then abandoned with her royal grave being lost. Catherine's presence at the castle was first rediscovered by the antiquarian Rev. Huggett when researching at the College of Arms,passing his findings onto George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers,the castle's owner in 1768.Joseph Lucas,a member of the local gentry who dwelled in the outer court of the castle, renting it from Baron Rivers,was aware of Huggett's work and searched for the lost grave, discovering it among the ruins of the chapel in 1782. The coffin was reopened in 1783, 1784, 1786; and in 1792, when local vandals broke into the coffin and threw the corpse in a rubbish heap, leading to Mr. Lucas reinterring the body in a hidden,walled grave.The last time the coffin was opened was in 1817 when the local rector decided to move it to the crypt under the chapel.It was found the body had been reduced to a skeleton.The coffin was last moved in 1861 to its final location in the fully restored chapel,under a canopied neo-Gothic tomb.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Mysterious Death Of Catherine Parr by June Woolerton we learn her death may not have been caused by the recent birth of her daughter but something much more sinister. Queen Catherine who is a very interesting woman she seem to be a very loving and warm stepmother to marry, Elizabeth and Edward she was also made queen for life by her husband King Henry the eighth and was made ruler in his stead as he went off the fight the French. She may have been the kings sixth wife but she had a lot of first in the royal family is already mentioned she was the first of his wives to rule with full power when he was away she was the one who tried to foster a family type relationship with King Henry and his three children and she was also the wife that was with him when he died. when King Henry died not only was the country but her stepchildren baffled as to why she only months later Mary Thomas Seymour and although some speculate it was to stop him for marrying princess Elizabeth their marriage certainly didn’t stop him from trying to groom the young princess and they were even rumors that she joined in… That’s something I just don’t believe but I wasn’t there it was over 100 years ago on with the review. Because she eventually sent princess Elizabeth to the country Manor to keep her away from lord Seymour. The country and Catherin Par already knew he was a known rake so when she passed away and all her assets were left to him with no provision for their daughter eyebrows were raised but in the end her death was reported to be from postpartum complications so the mystery goes on. This was a great book and I think Ms. Woolerton did a fabulous job reporting the facts and making it interesting at the same time I love reading about the royal family and their incestuous and complicated existence. If most girls knew what real women in the royal family had to go through I don’t think the majority of us would’ve been wanting to be a princess at all. I love this book it was a definite five star read and one I highly recommend.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She may be known as the surviving wife to King Henry VIII, but Katherine Parr sadly did not survive for long. Having only outlived her royal husband by one year and eight months, Parr’s death is shrouded in mystery, as are the decisions made surrounding her burial and eventual exhumation. Through fragments of letters and well-documented research, Woolerton delivers an interesting chronicle of both the life and death of Katherine Parr, presenting all the known factual evidence surrounding Parr’s death and funereal arrangements, as well as acknowledging the holes that remain in history.

Furthermore, and perhaps most significantly, Woolerton also personalises the long dead Queen and recovers her as an important historical female figure in her own right. Katherine Parr is predominately known for being the sixth and surviving wife of King Henry VIII, but here Woolerton proves that she was so much more. Parr was a powerful and educated woman whose influence upon her husband changed history forever. She survived a plot to remove her, she held her own reformist religious views, she ruled England as regent for several months, and perhaps most importantly, she influenced Henry’s decision to return his ‘illegitimate’ daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, to the line of succession. Without her as consort in the last years of Henry’s life, the face of England and it’s monarchy could have looked very different. Woolerton’s text revives Parr as a powerful woman in her own right, a woman who impacted the ruling of England greatly, and a woman who even after the death of her husband, the King, remained a Queen for rest of her life.

This was a fascinating read, one that I could not put down. For those interested in Tudor history, in particular, the Tudor Queens, this is a must-read. The book was incredibly well-researched and paced, and Woolerton’s style was flowing and accessible despite dealing with large amounts of contextual information.

Thank you kindly to both @netgalley and Pen&Sword for granting my wish and allowing me early access to this text in exchange for my honest thoughts. This was a pleasure to read and review!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr is an engaging and layman accessible historical account of the death and aftermath of the last Queen of Henry VIII written by June Woolerton. Released 4th April 2024 by Pen & Sword on their History imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Due for release outside the UK 30th May 2024.

This is a very well written account of the mysteries and lack of documentation and records surrounding the late life, death, and burial of Queen Katherine Parr, the last queen of Henry VIII. The author has done an impressive job of collecting and presenting an astounding collection of snippets, historical talks, excerpts from letters, and extant records to reconstruct the later life of the queen.

Although it's a layman accessible text, and written in everyday language, it is meticulously annotated and the chapter notes are well written and provide another layer of detail and will provide the keen reader many hours of reference reading outside the main text. The author/publisher have also provided a number of facsimile documents and black and white photos and greyscale illustrations of the main characters (many of the known Holbein portraits are included, as well as the lands and gardens around Sudbury, and several B&W studies of the marble tomb figure erected in the 19th Century for the late queen by Queen Victoria when Queen Katherine's remains were moved to a new (more appropriate) location.

Five stars. Engaging and well written. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for gift giving, and for home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd seen a negative of review of this book somewhere and so I honestly wasn't expecting much but it's actually great. The blurb seemed to imply a murder mystery but it's really about how Parr's actions may have been massively misinterpreted over the centuries, giving her the reputation of ending up blinded by love to the point of stupidity when it's possible she was doing a bit of scheming to either stay close to the new sources of power at court or to keep her stepdaughter Elizabeth out of danger from Thomas Seymour (which of course didn't really work out for any of them). It's a very readable biography of Katherine Parr that puts her at the centre of her own life and helps the reader appreciate KP's abilities more. It really does feel like there's a lot more to this woman than the surviving sources tell us, which in some ways is obvious but it's easy also something that's easy to forget when you get used to how scarce information can be from that time.

There's an appealing and quite refreshing approach here where the author backs up all the suggestions with plausible evidence/interpretation but generally doesn't push one or another possible answer as definite fact. It doesn't feel like a reluctance to commit, just a willingness to consider other options when we're never going to know what really happened anyway.

I made the initial mistake of judging this book by its title, but that title is actually a little misleading as it's less about her death (though that's covered in some detail, along with the oddities connected to it) and more about whether the life of Katherine Parr went precisely as history has so far tended to write it, because while we may know what she did we have very little clue as to why she did those things and the actual reasons might have been very different from those assume and might put a quite different spin on the last few years of her life.

[Ink]

Pen & Sword have an incredible range of non-fiction books that absolutely scream off the shelves to a history lover such as I and oh my crikey, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr is catnip if you have a love of Tudor history

Often, we learn our facts and that is that. We know Henry VIII had 6 wives and that to skirt around conventions at the time, thought it prudent to dispose of his wives and move on to one he liked more. What a delightful fella, imagine being known more for your exploits than your achievements.

I digress; Katherine Parr survived Henry the VIII (win) but little known is that she only survived for a further 18 months. I had never even considered what happened to her afterwards, that is, until this book (thank you very, very much to Pen & Sword for the unexpected gifted copy, it made my day!) I was utterly thrilled to delve into this little known part of Tudor history and it is no understatement when I say I devoured it

June Woolerton presents compelling evidence and writes in a way that is both concise, yet enganging, bringing the story to life. The uncovering of the crypt in the midst of a tea party and the associated correspondence and article hooked me into the book and kept me there until I was finished.

This book is a timely reminder of how many women were trailblazers and world-changers in their day, but were written out of history due to their gender. I for one am very glad that we have experts such as June Woolerton who also have the skill to present history in a way that is accessible to all, so that the story can be told authentically and retained for posterity

A great read and highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History and the incredible author June Woolerton for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[``Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did Thomas Seymour murder Katherine Parr or did she die from postpartum infection after giving birth to her only child Mary Seymour? The author outlines Seymour's erratic behavior prior, during and after his marriage and I certainly wouldn't put anything pass this unstable jerk. Especially since Katherine's death left him a very rich man.

The author covers the problematic Last Will which surprisingly didn't protect her newborn daughter or even mention her, which makes the Will suspect and probably written by Seymour and not Katherine. Then 6 months later when the unstable Seymour goes to the block after his failed coup attempt little Mary is left penniless and an orphan.

The author tries to follow the trail of Mary Seymour who was in the care of Katherine's good friend the Duchess of Suffolk. But when Catholic Mary Tudor came to the throne the strong Protestant Duchess moves her family to the Continent to escape the stake along with many others of the nobility.

There the trail of Mary Seymour goes cold and it's assumed that she died young. Since Katherine Parr was close to her brother and sister I wonder why they didn't take Mary Seymour into their home but that would be a good area to investigate.

When Katherine's grave was discovered 250 years later at Sudeley Castle chapel by accident I found the ill treatment of her corpse revolting and a very sad ending to her story.

Although there isn't enough evidence to prove Seymour murdered Katherine I strongly suspect that he did and then hightailed it away 2 days after her death, not even attending her funeral with hopes of making the Princess Elizabeth his new wife.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well crafted, well researched book on Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last queen.

Anyone that’s checked out my previous reviews knows I’m a big Tudor history fan girl. If there’s a book about it I’m going to want to read it, fiction or non-fiction, so I was especially glad to be granted this from the wish list at NetGalley.

Katherine Parr is probably the Tudor Queen I know least about or the one that is most misrepresented in my mind - another reason why I requested this book. Reading it has put her much clearer in my mind.

Unlike some other historical non-fiction this is lovely and accessible in terms of prose. A couple of things to note. 1 - It does jump around in time a little but this doesn’t make it unduly confusing. 2 - There are small pieces which are repeated throughout the chapters, especially around her relationships with Henry’s children & John Neville’s children. I personally found this a little jarring at times but most people probably wouldn’t even notice and it didn’t spoil my overall enjoyment.

This is a short, impactful read, shining a new light on the demise of Katherine Parr and shares some interesting and credible new theories about some of her actions, especially around her marriage to Thomas Seymour. This book is a credit to the author & I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to the author, publishers & NetGalley for granting me access to this arc in return for an honest review.

[Maartje Paauw · Rating 5 out of 5]

…survived. A lifetime of stories diminished into one word. A word that is more important in your husband’s story than your own. Katherine Parr… one of six, but maybe also one in a million, because this book makes sure we learn about how a strong, intelligent and kind woman navigated her way through Tudor England.

Within Katherine's story lies a poignant portrayal of the broader societal dynamics of her era. Women, including her stepdaughters and her own daughter, are depicted as mere pawns in the power struggles of their time, their worth determined solely by their proximity to male figures of authority. Katherine's resilience shines through as she navigates a complex web of marriages, each a strategic maneuver to secure her own position in a world dictated by patriarchal norms.

Oh how I wish I had a time machine to take me to Katherine’s final moments. What did she die of? Why was she burried so quickly and why there? And if there… why was her body so thoroughly embalmed?

Through the lens of Katherine's life, the narrative subtly underscores her role as a trailblazer for the women after her, a true queen.

Thank you to Pen & Sword History for introducing me to ‘Kateryne the Quene’ through this incredible ARC.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling history of one of the less talked about wives of Henry VIII, especially her seldom talked-about death. I would say the title is a little misleading, as the book spends probably less than half talking about her death and burial and subsequent rediscovery, and more of her later life as queen. It is all fascinating still, and an interesting lens to view Katherine's life. The author does circle the same few points very often, emphasizing her relationship with her stepchildren and how strange it was they didn't react to her death, etc, without giving any real answers to some of them. The answers Woolerton gives to some other questions surrounding her death and burial are interesting, however. Still, it's one of those things I'd have to read more on to agree with her assertion that Parr died of the plague (not a very popular thought, apparently). I recommend it to any fan of the Tudor Queens as some supplementary reading!

Thank you to netgalley and Pen & Sword History for the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katherine Parr was a woman who wielded great power as queen. As the last queen of Henry VIII, she was in an extraordinary position to be able to draw his fractured family back together. She also was very politically astute, and able to use that to her benefit. After the death of Henry VIII, she married Thomas Seymour. Her influence waned after that, being relegated to the dark, and after her death, she was forgotten about.

This was a really interesting read. There were several theories put forward as to why she died after childbirth, and the real reason she married Thomas Seymour. I enjoyed reading through this, and learning a bit more about her life, death, and what happened to her after her burial.
Great for history lovers, and especially those who enjoy reading about the Tudor period.

[Stephanie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, June Woolerton, and Pen & Sword for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Mysterious Death Of Katherine Parr in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Katherine Parr is known as the wife who survived. She outlived Henry VIII by using her wit and knowledge. She did so much during her lifetime. Her death has never been a mystery to me. Everything I have read says that she married Thomas Seymour after the king's death, gave birth to a daughter, and then passed away from childbirth complications. To explore the possibility that something more sinister at play is truly fascinating. To think she could have been murdered is heartbreaking. This book is very well done.

[Ashley W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I became interested in Katherine Parr after seeing the musical Six, and was thrilled to see this book. Katherine Parr outlived Henry VIII, if only for a mere 18 months. Not typically being a nonfiction reader, the writing and information presented were engaging and compelling. Did she die in childbirth or was something more sinister at play? The author dies a fabulous job presenting interesting facts that make your question what you know.

Thank you NetGalley and Pen & Sword for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr by June Woolerton, focus on the sudden and abrupt death of the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, Queen Katherine Parr.

I was slightly disappointed with this novel, as I feel it lost itself in its premise. Woolerton tries to pose the question was Katherine really murdered by her last husband? Instead of presenting points for her question, she really circled around the same three points for the length of the book. Katherine’s four marriages, Katherine’s relationship with her children, and Katherine’s learning. It seemed like every other page, the author was referencing “the four time married” queen.

There was not enough lent to the support of the theory that Queen Katherine Parr died of anything other than “child bed fever.” It is a compelling theory, but without more support it falls flat.

I still would recommend the novel to anyone who likes Tudor History or Katherine Parr, but keep your expectations light.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Pen and Sword Publishing for the advanced reader copy!

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and sometimes gruesome, this book explores the possibility that Queen Katherine Parr was poisoned rather than dying in childbirth. It’s an interesting theory without much evidence, nor does the book offer much of a motive. Still, given that Katherine’s husband Thomas Seymour was pursuing marriage to the teenaged Elizabeth I, the theory isn’t completely outside the realm of possibility.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sarah Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor history is a well-trod road, however this new viewpoint on Katherine Parr's life, queenship and death is certainly an interesting read. My only comment is that I wish the flow was revisited to avoid repetition. However because this was an ARC, there is a high possibility this was already addressed. Will check out other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this ARC!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

History knows what happened to Katherine Parr... or does it?

Julie Woolerton has me half-convinced that perhaps, maybe, what-if Katherine was murdered. After all, her husband was a scheme-y rat of a man with his eyes on Princess E.

Whatever your personal conclusions are, I think Tudor lovers would find great interest in this book.

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the last wife of Henry VIII, Katherine Parr. Overall it was a good read, but it was overshadowed by the tedious round about ways of presenting the same facts over and over: married four times, died of childbirth or something else, devoted to the Reformation, why did she go to Sudderley, etc. The chapters go back in forth in time, they are not in chronological order.