There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free. Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app. As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts, or you can get all of History's Palace, a royal residence in Surrey, England.

Dressed in a dazzling, embroidered gown, Catherine Howard and her ladies in waiting are escorted through the endless chambers

of the palace. Sunlight trickles through glass windows as she passes, dancing over Catherine's

soft, fair skin, and auburn hair. She's just 17 years old, barely more than a girl, but today

she will become Queen of England. Reaching a large wooden door, she pauses.

The palace chapel lies beyond and her new husband is waiting for her.

The heavy door swings open, and standing at the far end of the chapel, King Henry

the 8th stares at Catherine, his mouth twitching toward a smile.

Henry is over 30 years older than Catherine.

He's dressed magnificently today,

but even the finest tailors in the land can't disguise Henry's bloated body.

But though Catherine may find him physically repulsive,

she understands what marrying into royalty means for her family's standing and for her own.

Catherine casts her eyes downward as she walks toward the king.

Only a few of Henry's inner circle have been allowed to attend today's ceremony, but it doesn't

make the moment any less daunting. Beneath her glittering gown, Catherine's heart pounce because

she remembers the fates of Henry's previous wives. He may be

smiling now, but she knows how quickly his favor can turn to fury. Catherine Howard becomes

King Henry VIII's fifth wife. In the days ahead, he will shower her with gifts and affection. But the honeymoon

won't last. Soon, old secrets will resurface, threatening Catherine's new life and bringing a sudden

end to King Henry's latest marriage, which began on July 28, 1540.

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