For this month, we are turning to a later Stuart consort that gets ignored by pretty much everyone. Mary of Modena was in the news a lot in 2023 as people were discussing consort crowns ahead of the May 2023 coronation. And William III remains a moderately popular figure of interest. (Poor Prince George of Denmark, consort to Queen Anne- I might cover male consorts later in the series if there is enough interest.) However, her predecessor got no such attention sadly. For our April Consort of the Month: Catherine of Braganza!
Consort of the Month: Catherine of Braganza Fast Facts
Birth Date: 25 November 1638
Death Date: 31 December 1705
Tenure : 21 May 1662 – 6 February 1685
Birth Name: Catherine of Braganza
Spouse: King Charles II of England, Scotland, and Ireland
House: Braganza
Father: King John IV of Portugal
Mother: Luisa de Guzmán
Why Do We Know Catherine of Braganza
Unfortunately, Catherine is another consort who is not particularly known. She is the Restoration Queen, but her husband’s mistresses continue to steal that spotlight. If she is known, it is typically for being a dowdy consort. However, if you have seen the 2003 mini-series The Last King, you may remember Shirley Henderson’s Catherine! (It is a stacked cast, I would recommend watching it.)
Catherine of Braganza’s Early Life
Catherine was born to John, 8th Duke of Braganza and Luisa de Guzmán in 1638. As a result of the Portuguese Restoration War, her father was named King John IV of Portugal. Catherine was almost immediately sought after as a royal bride, and her family was aware of it. She was educated appropriately as a princess, and spent much of her childhood in the Convent of Alcântara under the close eye of her mother. Her Roman Catholic education and spirituality would play a role in the rest of her life, including her tenure as consort.
A Strategic Alliance
Charles’ advisors chose Catherine as Charles’ bride for several reasons. She brought with her Bombay (islands in India) and Tangiers (in North Africa) as part of her dowry, both incredibly important for the spice trade, as well as trading privileges in Portugal and Brazil. The 24 year old Catherine landed at Portsmouth on 13 May 1662; the 32 year old Charles did not arrive there until 20 May. They married twice on 21 May- the first ceremony was a secret Catholic wedding and the second was a public Anglican wedding.
The two were not overly well-matched. The pious Catherine was rather the opposite of her husband, the Restoration King whose court was known for its merrymaking and carousing had several mistresses (whom he never gave up). Still, the pair respected one another, and it is thought that they were friends.
A Queen on the Outside
As a Roman Catholic, the English aristocracy and general population were not overly fond of Catherine when she arrived. Suspicion of Catholics had been well-established in England a century prior to Catherine’s landing and would continue on for centuries after.
She also struggled at the court, as she suffered from three miscarriages while seeing Charles’ mistresses bear him several children. Barbara Palmer, Charles’ main mistress, was a member of the Queen’s household and she continuously argued with Catherine and would undermine her in any way possible.
Catherine did eventually adjust to the Restoration court in her own way, though. She came to enjoy dances and masques, and would often gamble with her ladies.
Life as a Widow
Charles died in 1685 at the age of 54, leaving Catherine behind. As a lone Catholic figure, she had little support. She spent several years living at Somerset House, and remained in England until 1692 when she returned to Portugal. She continued to help negotiate between Portugal and England; she also served as her brother’s Regent. Catherine died on 31 December 1705 and was buried at the Pantheon of the House of Braganza.
Catherine of Braganza: Interesting Facts
– Although she is often cited as the person who introduced tea to England, it first arrived in England in the 1650s. (She did popularise it, though.)
– Catherine does get credit for introducing the fork to the English court!
– The Portuguese Queen played a significant role in the British Empire- Bombay (now known as Mumbai) in particular would be incredibly important in the Empire.
– Catherine once attended a village fair in disguise, but had to make a quick escape after crowds recognised her and swarmed.
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Further Readings/Listenings on Catherine of Braganza
Watkins, Sarah-Beth. Catherine of braganza: Charles II’s restoration queen. Winchester, UK: Chronos Books, 2017.
Rex Factor podcast. “Catherine of Braganza” episode.
Looking for my earlier Consort of the Month posts? Read about:
Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Queen Marie Antoinette
Catherine de Medici
Queen Adelaide
Catherine de Valois
Marie de Guise
Queen Alexandra of Denmark
Empress Josephine of France
Queen Elizabeth of York
Queen Elisabeth de Valois
I hope you have enjoyed Consort of the Month: Catherine of Braganza!
Cheers,
The Historian
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