born с 1520
died Feb. 13, 1542, London, Eng.
Fifth wife of Henry VIII of England.
The granddaughter of the 2nd duke of Norfolk , she became a maid of honour to Anne of Cleves , Henry's fourth wife. After Henry had his marriage to Anne annulled, he married Catherine (1540). In 1541 he learned that Catherine had had several affairs before their marriage and that she also had probably committed adultery. Incensed, he had Parliament pass a bill in 1542 declaring it treason for an unchaste woman to marry the king. Catherine was beheaded two days later in the Tower of London.