Key Heritage Site: Hampton Court Palace
- Background: Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife and daughter of Spain’s Ferdinand and Isabella, was initially married to Henry’s brother Arthur before becoming Henry’s queen. Her marriage and subsequent divorce precipitated England’s break with the Catholic Church.
- Hampton Court Palace: Although much of the palace’s grandeur was expanded after Catherine’s time, Hampton Court stands as one of the premier Tudor royal residences. It symbolizes the height of Tudor court life and religious transformation.
- Legacy: Catherine’s devout Catholic faith and steadfast refusal to accept her annulment resonate in the palace’s chapels and religious artifacts.
Anne Boleyn: The Queen Who Sparked a Reformation
Key Heritage Site: Hever Castle
- Background: Anne Boleyn’s rise from noblewoman to queen consort was meteoric and transformative. Her marriage to Henry VIII led directly to the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.
- Hever Castle: Anne’s childhood home, Hever Castle in Kent, remains a vivid window into her early life. Visitors can explore the castle’s Tudor architecture, gardens, and displays of Anne’s portraits and artifacts.
- Legacy: Hever Castle celebrates Anne’s influence and tragic downfall, reminding visitors of her political and religious impact. shutdown123