Katharine Howard

King Henry VIII

Katharine is Henry's young, naive bride, and their relationship is a mix of genuine affection from her and possessive, aging desire from him.

Anne Boleyn

Anne sees Katharine as a rival for Henry's affection and a threat to her position, while Katharine is caught in Anne's political games.

Lady Mary

Katharine and Mary share a bond of sympathy and mutual support, as both are victims of Henry's whims and court intrigue.

Magister Udal

Katharine relies on Udal as a messenger and advisor, but she is wary of his self-serving nature and shifting loyalties.

King Henry VIII

Katharine is Henry's young, naive bride, and their relationship is a mix of genuine affection from her and possessive, aging desire from him.

Anne Boleyn

Anne sees Katharine as a rival for Henry's affection and a threat to her position, while Katharine is caught in Anne's political games.

Lady Mary

Katharine and Mary share a bond of sympathy and mutual support, as both are victims of Henry's whims and court intrigue.

King Henry VIII

Katharine is Henry's young, naive bride, and their relationship is a mix of genuine affection from her and possessive, aging desire from him.

Magister Udal

Katharine relies on Udal as a messenger and advisor, but she is wary of his self-serving nature and shifting loyalties.

Lady Mary

Katharine and Mary share a bond of sympathy and mutual support, as both are victims of Henry's whims and court intrigue.

Anne Boleyn

Anne sees Katharine as a rival for Henry's affection and a threat to her position, while Katharine is caught in Anne's political games.

Magister Udal

Katharine relies on Udal as a messenger and advisor, but she is wary of his self-serving nature and shifting loyalties.

The Fifth Queen Crowned

Now Queen, she seeks to mend relations with Lady Mary but faces the king's displeasure and the threat of her past.

Part I: The Major Chord

Introduced as a central figure, her position and future are immediately tied to the whims of the court and the king.

II

Queen Katharine asserts her authority, challenges Norfolk's hypocrisy, and reflects on her loneliness and the threats against her.

III

The Queen, who is pleased by the King's submission to the Pope and seeks to console her maid Margot by finding her a husband.

IV

Acts as a mediator between the King and Mary, trying to calm the heated exchange and manage the King's temper.

V

The Queen, now in charge of the castle and realm in the King's absence. She is writing a letter to the Pope, overseeing accounts, and engaging in learned pursuits. She shows a preference for being loved rather than feared and reflects on the nature of authority and friendship.

VI

The target of the plot; her resolve is noted, and she is isolated as enemies gather.

VII

The Queen, who pleads with Lady Mary to reconcile with the King and feign political alliances, enduring Mary's taunts and accusations.

VIII

Reflects on her impoverished childhood and grants Lascelles's request for his sister's placement, showing her compassion and naivety.

Part II: The Threatened Rift

The queen, whose position is threatened by the king's northern journey and the plots of her enemies.

I

Rides out to meet the King, shows compassion for a robbed traveller, and comments on the loss of monasteries.

III

The Queen, whose compassion leads her to order the care of the sick man, unaware of his true identity.

IV

Queen Katharine, proud and virtuous, refuses to heed warnings about Lascelles, trusting in her own innocence.

V

The Queen, exultant and decisive, handles the crisis of Culpepper's intrusion with swift action, hiding him before the King arrives.

Part III: The Dwindling Melody

Imprisoned and awaiting her fate, her influence waning as former allies distance themselves.

I

The Queen, who pleads for her cousin Culpepper's leniency and admires the King's quick wit in saving her from scandal, though she is saddened by the need for such deviousness.

II

Stands composed and queenlike, but shows anguish at the delay of the letter to Rome.

III

The target of the plot; her meeting with Culpepper is used as evidence of her alleged lewdness.

Part IV: The End of the Song

The central figure of the tragedy, whose story concludes in this final part.

I

The Queen is sad and anxious about the King's delay in sending the letter to Rome, but she continues to persuade him and cooks for him. She refuses to read the paper with tales against her, trusting the King.

II

Though not present, she is the target of the conspiracy, accused of bewitching the King and unchastity.

IV

The Queen walks in the gallery, netting a silken purse. She remains silent and statue-like as Mary Hall confesses, thinking of her Redeemer. She eagerly asks if the King said more than 'Body of God! mine own bedchamber!' and shudders upon hearing he said no more.

V

Queen Katharine confronts the King and the council, offering a false confession to stop the torture of her witnesses. She refuses the King's pleas to save her life and delivers a final, damning speech about his character.