Catherine Howard

 Born c. 1524 
Died 13 February 1542  in The Tower of London (beheaded)
Religion Catholic 

She was Anne Boleyn's cousin. It is not known when she was born but it is believed she was born between 1524 and 1526.

She was the niece of the Duke of Norfolk and had a aristocrat pedigree. She was the lady in waiting for Anne of Cleves which brought her to the King's attention. 

Catherine married Henry VIII on 28 July 1540, at Oatlands Palace in Surrey, almost immediately after the annulment of his marriage to Anne of Cleves was arranged. However she was beheaded after less than two years of marriage to Henry on the grounds of treason, meaning adultery committed while married to the King.

She was tried for treason with Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper. They found hand written love letters from Catherine to Thomas and this was enough evidence to have them both executed.

Francis Dereham was, in the eyes of the church, already married to Catherine Howard. When she was queen she admitted him to court and that produced rumors about Francis about an affair between the two might work which later lead to the discovery of their marriage.

She was beheaded on 13 February 1542 in the Tower of London.