Catherine of Aragon (b. 1485)

Born at the Archbishop's Palace of Alcala de Henares, the youngest child of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, at age three.

Marries Arthur Tudor at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. She is 16. He is 15. Five months later, Arthur is dead, probably of the sweating sickness. Catherine insists the marriage was never consummated.

Serves as the Spanish ambassador to England. She is 21. The first known female ambassador in European history. She spends seven years in diplomatic limbo, waiting to marry Arthur's younger brother Henry.

Marries Henry VIII, seven weeks after his accession. They are crowned together on June 24. For 17 years, she is his queen, his trusted adviser, and regent of England during his absence in France.

Archbishop Cranmer declares her marriage to Henry null and void. Henry has already secretly married Anne Boleyn. Catherine refuses to accept the annulment. She signs every letter: "Catherine the Queen."

Dies at Kimbolton Castle at 50, likely of cancer. Her final letter to Henry begins: "My most dear lord, king and husband." She signs it: "Catherine, Queen of England." Her heart is found to be black. Modern analysis suggests a cancerous tumor.