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Letter of Katharine Parr to her stepdaughter,
Princess Mary
20 September 1544
Background
Katharine was very close to all of her stepchildren,
though she and Princess Mary differed greatly in matters of religion.
Mary was, in truth, only a few years younger than Katharine and so the queen
did not have a profound impact upon Mary's life - not as she did upon the much
younger Elizabeth and Edward, both of whom came to love Katharine as a
mother. But Katharine and Mary did become close, and the princess
undoubtedly appreciated Katharine's attempts to heal Henry VIII's broken
family. This letter was written in thanks for a purse Mary had
embroidered and sent to the queen. Katharine also inquires about Mary's
progress in translating Erasmus's Paraphrase on the Gospel of John and
her health. Mary was notoriously prone to illness and it is obvious that
Katharine felt genuine concern for her step-daughter's well-being.
Katharine wished for Mary to publish her translation; her
own writings (such as Lamentations....) became 16th century
bestsellers, particularly during the Protestant reigns of Edward VI and
Elizabeth I.
Although, most noble and dearest lady, there are many reasons
that easily induce my writing to you at this time, yet nothing so greatly
moves me thereto as my concern for your health; which, as I hope it is very
good, so am I greatly desirous to be assured thereof.
Wherefor, I
despatch to you this messenger, who will be (I judge) most acceptable to
you, not only from his skill in music, in which you, I am well aware, take
as much delight as myself, but also because, having long sojourned with me,
he can give the most certain information of my whole estate and
health. And, in truth, I have had it in mind before this to have made
a journey to you and salute you in person; but all things do not correspond
with my will. Now, however, I hope this winter, and that ere long,
that, being nearer, we shall meet; than which, I assure you, nothing can be
to me more agreeable, and more to my heart's desire.
Now since, as I
have heard, the finishing touch (as far as the translation is concerned) is
given by Mallet to Erasmus's work upon John, and nought now remains but that
proper care and vigilance should be taken in revising, I entreat you to send
over to me this very excellent and useful work, now amended by Mallet, or
some of your people, that it may be committed to the press in due time; and
farther, to signify whether you wish it to go forth to the world (most
auspiciously) under your name, or as the production of an unknown
writer. To which work you will, in my opinion, do a real injury, if
you refuse to let it go down to posterity under the auspices of your own
name, since you have undertaken so much labor in accurately translating it
for the great good of the public, and would have undertaken still greater
(as is well known) if the health of your body had permitted.
And, since
all the world knows that you have toiled and labored much in this business,
I do not see why you should repudiate that praise which all men justly
confer on you. However, I leave this whole matter to your discretion
and, whatever resolution you may adopt, that will meet my fullest
approbation.
For the purse, which you have sent me as a present, I
return you great thanks. I pray God, the greatest and best of beings,
that He deign to bless you uninterruptedly with true and unalloyed
happiness. May you long fare well in him.
From Hanworth, 20th of
September,
Most devotedly and lovingly yours, Katharine the
Queen.
to Letters of the Six Wives
of Henry VIII
to
Primary Sources
to Tudor England
to Katharine
Parr website
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