| Letter of Queen Katharine Parr to the Privy Council 25 July 1544 Background This letter refers to the successful English siege of Boulogne in July 1544. I have included it because it is an example - along with a similar letter by Queen Anne Boleyn - of the typical letter of an English queen consort. Katharine the Queen. Right trusty and well-beloved cousins, we greet you well. Letting you wit that having received your letters of the 23rd of this present, we have by the same had singular comfort, as well to perceive thereby the state of health my lord the king's majesty was in at that present, as also the good beginning of success of his grace's affairs there; for your joyful news whereof we give unto you our right hearty thanks. And forasmuch as, touching the other contents of your said letters, we have presently written at length unto my said lord, the king's majesty, we forbear to repeat the same unto you, not doubting but that his highness will communicate the same unto you accordingly. Given under our signet at my said lord the king's majesty's honor of Hampton Court, the 25th day of July, the 36th year of his majesty's most noble reign. to Letters of the Six Wives of Henry VIII to Primary Sources to Tudor England to Katharine Parr website |