Catherine of Braganza is something of a forgotten queen...
Because her husband Charles II was much preoccupied with his mistresses and
also because 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 for much of the time 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 been restored
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 accepted easily. Catherine was 23, at the time of the
marriage, in 1662, and there were 2 ceremonies, a Catholic service in secret,
and an Anglican one.
She was a quiet shy young woman who came to a licentious and pleasure
loving court. At the time, 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 accept his mistress as one of her ladies
in waiting 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 and its wild ways. 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.
More to follow......
No comments:
Post a Comment