The Fifth Queen: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Fifth Queen: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives and relationships of key figures surrounding Katharine (Kat) Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. The analysis highlights Katharine as a complex character, educated and devoutly Catholic, whose beauty and intellect draw the king's attention amid the turmoil of her time. Her position as lady-in-waiting to Lady Mary places her at the heart of the political intrigues of the court, where she balances her affection for Henry with her ambitions to restore Catholicism in England.
Henry VIII is portrayed as a powerful yet gentle ruler, whose love for Katharine contradicts the tumultuous political climate that ultimately leads to her demise. Other pivotal characters include Thomas Cromwell, whose machinations ultimately backfire; Lady Mary, who grapples with her relationship with her father; and Thomas Culpepper, whose passionate yet ill-fated love for Katharine complicates her fate. The narrative also introduces figures like Nicholas Udal and Margot Poins, who reflect the diverse perspectives and conflicting loyalties within the court. Ultimately, the tragic story of Katharine Howard, marked by love, ambition, and betrayal, culminates in her execution, revealing the precarious nature of power and reputation in Tudor England.
The Fifth Queen: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ford Madox Ford
First published: 1980 (includes The Fifth Queen, 1906; Privy Seal, 1907; The Fifth Queen Crowned, 1908)
Genre: Novels
Locale: England and France
Plot: Historical
Time: 1539–1542
Katharine (Kat) Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Devoutly Catholic, the nineteen-year-old is the most learned woman in England. Her knowledge of Greek and Latin and the moral precepts she has embraced from the ancients (along her great beauty) attract the attention of the king when she is brought to her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, at a time of riot and unrest in her home county. Named for Katharine of Aragon, Henry's first queen, the fearless Katharine becomes lady-in-waiting to their daughter, Lady Mary. In that position, she is thrown into close association with the king while simultaneously abetting Lady Mary's scheme to reinstate Catholicism in England.
Henry VIII, the king of England. He is massive and powerful, and his ability to be gentle and his great wit inspire Katharine's respect and love.
Thomas Cromwell, the Lord of the Privy Seal who arranged the marriage of Henry and Anne of Cleves to cement the Protestant alliance.
Lady Mary, the daughter of Henry VIII. Aloof and bitter, Mary despises her father for having poisoned her mother and declared her to be illegitimate.
Nicholas Udal, a tutor to Lady Mary and former tutor to Katharine Howard, a master of Greek and Latin in his time. Udal's character is suspect.
Margot Poins, a maidservant to Katharine. The large blonde woman is also Udal's betrothed.
Thomas Culpepper, a cousin of Katharine. Culpepper takes Katharine to London to save her from the poverty and violence of her home. The red-haired Culpepper's mad love for his cousin alternately saves and damns her.
Katharine (Kat) Howard, now the beloved of the king. She is caught up in the intrigues that fill Henry's court, but she remains the voice of conscience. Katharine's love for Henry and her realization that she has the chance to return England to Catholicism enable her to accept his proposal of marriage once she is certain that his marriage to Anne of Cleves is unconsummated.
Henry VIII, who, once assured that Cleves has abandoned the Protestant cause, divorces Anne and prepares to marry Katharine.
Thomas Cromwell, whose plot to keep Henry under his influence crumbles with Henry's marriage to Katharine. Katharine's recognition that he had the best intentions for Henry's reign cause her to oppose his execution, but she is unsuccessful.
Nicholas Udal, who marries an innkeeper in Paris in hopes that Catholicism will not be restored to England, nullifying the marriage.
Thomas Culpepper, who goes to Paris as an assassin to win his fortune so that he can wed Katharine.
Katharine (Kat) Howard, who lives in seeming bliss with Henry for more than a year. When her plan to reunite England with the Church of Rome and return the treasures taken over from it becomes a real possibility, the Protestant and Catholic nobles who have benefited from the separation conspire to discredit her. She is convicted of adultery and beheaded on February 13, 1542.
Henry VIII, who is deeply in love with Katharine, who wishes to effect his salvation by returning him to Catholicism. Henry comes very close, even drafting a letter of reconciliation to the pope. He is, however, easily influenced. He listens to the slander against his wife and reluctantly agrees to her execution.
Nicholas Udal, who is cast into prison when he asks the king to divorce him from the Englishwoman he married in Paris so that he can become chancellor of the realm and marry Margot Poins. Despite his less than sterling character, Udal refuses to lie about Kat's innocence.
Lady Mary, who is swayed by the purity of Katharine's faith to reconcile with her father and marry the Duke of Orleans; however, Katharine is denounced soon thereafter.
Margot Poins, who faithfully serves Katharine until Udal's marriage to the innkeeper in Paris forces her into a nunnery. When tortured to confess Katharine's lewdness, she instead cries out that Katharine is virtuous.
Hal Poins, the guard of Katharine's chamber. He takes part in the conspiracy against Katharine because the king refused to grant Udal a divorce to marry Hal's sister Margot.
Thomas Cranmer, the archbishop of Canterbury, influential in the break with Rome. Conscience-stricken Cranmer dons a hair shirt when reconciliation with Rome seems near.
Thomas Culpepper, who is caught in Kat's chamber, drunk, when Henry returns from a trip to Scotland. Although Henry recognizes the innocence of this meeting on Katharine's part, this scene begins the scandal culminating in Katharine's downfall.
Mary Hall, a twin to Lascelles, a conspirator against Katharine. She was a maid in the home of Katharine's grandmother when Kat was a child. Mary lies about Katharine's youthful escapades, leading to Katharine's beheading.