Catherine of Braganza Part I

Catherine of Braganza is something of a forgotten queen...Her husband Charles II was much preoccupied with his mistresses and she had no children. She was born in 1638 to John Duke of Braganza who became King of Portugal... during her childhood. Her mother, Queen Luisa was the power behind the throne and she reared her daughter strictly, keeping her in a convent. She had a happy and secure childhood but her conventual upbringing meant she was rather too sheltered. In 1661, after Charles II had returned to the British throne, the marriage was agreed… and England was to secure Tangier… In return the British were to provide military support for Portugal and it was agreed that Catherine who was a devout Catholic would have liberty to worship as she chose. However her Catholicism was to be a factor in making her not very popular in England. At the time, Catholics were feared and hated and a Catholic queen was not likely to be well thought of. Charles’s chief mistress was the selfish and arrogant Barbara Palmer. Although Charles insisted that his wife was to be treated with respect, Barbara was too thoughtless to do this consistently. Catherine tried to refuse to have his mistres as one of her ladies, but Charles firmly, even harshly insisted on her having Barbara at court.. He dismissed her Portuguese attendants who were prudish and old-fashioned and who attracted derision at court. Charles has a reputation of being a “merry Monarch” but he had a darker side and was capable of being harsh at times. Catherine coming from a quiet and religious home was not prepared for the English court. She fell in love with Charles and found it hard to share him with mistresses but he was determined not to let his wife rule him nor to give up his pleasures. However he was loyal to his wife, and as time passed, he continued to show her tolerant affection, and respect, even though she failed to produce children - which was the main aim of a royal marriage.