26 April – Catherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn, marries Francis Knollys

On this day in Tudor history, 26th April 1540, in the reign of King Henry VIII, sixteen year-old Catherine Carey married Francis Knollys.

Catherine was the daughter of William Carey and Mary Boleyn, and the niece of Queen Anne Boleyn. Although some believe that she was Henry VIII’s daughter, there is no evidence for this.

Catherine served as a maid of honour to Anne of Cleves, and went into exile with her family in Mary I’s reign.

Catherine was appointed to her cousin Elizabeth I’s bedchamber in 1559. She served there until her death in 1569.

Catherine’s children included Lettice, whose second husband was Robert Dudley and who was branded the She Wolf by Elizabeth.
Our present queen, Elizabeth II, descends from Catherine and Francis Knollys.

You can find out more about Catherine and Francis in this video:

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