# Katharine Howard — The Fifth Queen character guide > Katharine Howard in The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Kate, Katharine, Howard, Kat Howard, Kat **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-the-coming ## Snapshot A devout young noblewoman thrust into the Tudor court's snares, she clings to her faith while powerful men circle her with dangerous designs. ## Who they are Katharine Howard arrives at court as a poor relation, honest to a fault and utterly alone in a beehive of self-interested schemers. Throckmorton warns her that her simplicity is both her charm and her peril, while Cromwell sees her as a tool to spy on the Lady Mary. Her refusal to play the courtier's game makes her the story's moral center and its most endangered figure. ## Relationships ### [Lady Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/lady_mary) _friendship_ Katharine acts as a loyal friend and supporter to the embattled Princess Mary, offering comfort and political aid. ### [Thomas Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/thomas_cromwell) _rivalry_ Katharine is a fierce political and ideological enemy of Cromwell, opposing his reformist agenda and influence over the king. ### [Stephen Gardiner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/stephen_gardiner) _rivalry_ Gardiner is a manipulative and ambitious bishop who sees Katharine as a pawn and later a threat, leading to a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Nicholas Throckmorton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/nicholas_throckmorton) _romantic_ Nicholas Throckmorton is a devoted suitor to Katharine, though she often keeps him at arm's length due to her political ambitions. ### [Nicholas Udal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/nicholas_udal) _professional_ Udal is Katharine's scholarly secretary and tutor, serving her with intellectual loyalty and occasional romantic pining. ### [Thomas Culpepper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/thomas_culpepper) _romantic_ Culpepper is a passionate and reckless lover of Katharine, representing a dangerous romantic entanglement that threatens her position. ### [Cicely Elliott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/cicely_elliott) _friendship_ Cicely is Katharine's close companion and confidante, sharing secrets and offering emotional support in the treacherous court. ### [Margot Poins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/margot_poins) _friendship_ Margot is a loyal servant and friend to Katharine, often acting as a messenger and protector in the dangerous court. ### [Goodman Gilmaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/goodman_gilmaw) _social_ Goodman Gilmaw is a minor court figure who interacts with Katharine in the context of her daily life and political maneuvering. ### [Hal Poins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/hal_poins) _friendship_ Hal Poins is a loyal retainer and friend to Katharine, often involved in her schemes and providing practical support. ### [Sir Nicholas Rochford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/sir_nicholas_rochford) _friendship_ Sir Nicholas Rochford is a trusted ally of Katharine, offering counsel and protection within the court's intrigues. ### [Viridus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/viridus) _friendship_ Viridus is a mysterious and loyal servant to Katharine, often acting as a spy and protector in the shadows of the court. ## In the story ### [Part I: The Coming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/part-i-the-coming) Introduced as a central figure whose arrival at court is anticipated. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iii) Riding a grey mule, she is struck on the arm during the riot and rescued by her cousin Thomas Culpepper. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/v) Arrives at court disheveled and injured, catches the King's eye, and is placed in Lady Mary's household. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/vi) Introduced to the Lady Mary's household; meets Magister Udal; reflects on her northern upbringing and begins to reconsider her views on the King and Cromwell. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/vii) Arrives at the Lady Mary's rooms, weary and with a maimed arm; rebuffs Udal's advances and confronts the maids' accusations. ### [Part II: The House of Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/part-ii-the-house-of-eyes) The protagonist, a young woman entering the dangerous world of Henry VIII's court, where she must navigate political and personal threats. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/i) Ill and raving from nightshade, she is visited by Gardiner and warned about Cromwell's schemes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/ii) Attends Cromwell's revels for Queen Anne of Cleves; is guided by Master Viridus and warned about her cousin Tom's dangerous attachment. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iii) Hosts Culpepper's drunken visit and later receives him again; she is the subject of a libel and rumors. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iv) Seeks to send a letter to Bishop Gardiner via Sir Nicholas Rochford; shows concern for Tom's safety and frustration with the treacherous court. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/v) Accepts Cicely's help, defends her cousin, and seeks to serve the Lady Mary while aiding Gardiner. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/vi) Subjected to threats and intimidation by Cromwell; assigned to spy on Lady Mary. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/vii) Confronted by Throckmorton in a dark cellar; learns of a plot against her; refuses his offer of alliance; rescued by old Rochford. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/viii) Desperate and fearful, she confronts the King to plead for her life against the plots of Cromwell and others. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/ix) Isolated and weary, she listens to Throckmorton's political advice and fears imprisonment after the King threatened her. ### [Part III: The King Moves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/part-iii-the-king-moves) The object of the King's interest, navigating the dangers of royal attention. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/ii) Serves the Lady Mary, conveys a treasonous letter, and navigates court intrigue. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iii) Confronts Gardiner and Lady Mary, proposes a letter to foreign powers to undermine Cromwell, and asserts her independence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iv) Distraught after learning her letters have been intercepted; she strikes the boy and later confronts Throckmorton and the King. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/katharine_howard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters