Catherine of Aragon

We're very pleased and lucky to able to include in our Six wives tours next year, a couple of very special places relating to Catherine of Aragon. The two places are near to each other and are Buckden Towers and Kimbolton castle.
Buckden Towers is where Catherine was living for some time before she was moved to Kimbolton Castle where she died in 1536. The Duke of Suffolk under Henry's orders came to remove her to Fotheringhay in December 1533, but the stout men of Buckden carrying billhooks and choppers defended her and the Duke backed down. Henry VIII himself with Catherine Howard visited the place in 1541
Buckden Towers is now a Claretian missionary centre and does allow limited visiting, there is a friends group that raises funds by putting on Tudor days festival in September and other events through the year. It is a real jewel from the Tudor period in the heart of the Huntingdon countryside and a peaceful place to visit.
Kimbolton Castle is now a school and not generally open to the public, so we are very pleased to be able to visit by special arrangement. The chapel where Catherine was embalmed is still there, other parts of the original castle are still remain but it was rebuilt in the 1700's. but what a place to go to school!.
Kimbolton parish church nearby is unique, it has the only Tiffany stained glass window in a parish Church in England, it is superb and is included on our tour.
Our grateful thanks to the staff of both for allowing us to visit.

www.tudorhistorytours.com