This is the Tudor's Dynasty podcast.

And now, Rebecca Larson.

A brief history is a supplemental episode of the Tudor's Dynasty podcast.

On this episode, we welcome Tudor historical fiction author Tony Riches.

Tony's latest book is Catherine Tudor Duchess. It's about the life

of Catherine Willoughby. And on this episode, Tony Riches is going to give us a brief history on

Catherine Willoughby. Without further ado, here's Tony Riches. Attractive, wealthy and influential,

Catherine Willoughby is one of the most unusual ladies of the Tudor Court,

a favourite of King Henry VIII.

Catherine knew all his six wives,

his daughter's Mary and Elizabeth, and his son Edward.

So how did this daughter of a proud Catholic become a champion of religious reform and risk her life for the Protestant cause when Queen Mary Tudor came to the throne?

Catherine was born at Parham in Suffolk on the 22nd of March 1519 and was the daughter of William Willoughby,

the 11th Baron Willoughby de Erisbee and his Spanish wife Maria de Salinas.

Maria was Lady in Waiting and a close companion to Queen Catherine of Aragon,

and King Henry VIII paid for the wedding of Catherine's parents at Greenwich Palace

and gave them Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire as a wedding present.

Catherine was named after the Queen and, as the only surviving child of the marriage,

one of the wealthiest heiresses in England. Catherine also became the 12th Baroness Willoughby to

Erisby when her father died. She was seven years old and lived in seclusion with her mother at

Parham until her wardship was purchased by Sir Charles Branden, Duke of Suffolk, brother-in-law and

lifelong friend of the king. Charles Brandon planned for Catherine to marry his son and heir,

...