Katharine of Aragon life celebrated at Peterborough Cathedral festival

Peterborough Cathedral is holding a festival this weekend commemorating the anniversary that Katharine of Aragon was buried there.

The first wife of Henry VIII died on the 7th of January 1536 and the King ordered she be buried at Peterborough Abbey, not in London, to avoid political embarrassment after she was exiled.

She is now remembered annually at the Cathedral and around the city on the weekend of the anniversary of her burial.

The festival kicked off yesterday with events including a Tudor tour and a history talk, both of which were sold out.

Today, there has been a Roman Catholic Mass and a commemoration service led by Reverend Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, where wreaths have also been laid by school pupils.

Practical events are also taking place this afternoon, with an embroidery workshop, one of the activities Katharine of Aragon was best known for.

The festival continues tomorrow with more workshop activities and an ‘At Court with the Tudors’ recreation event for families.

This year, the Cathedral has joined with the Peterborough Museum to organise more events, lasting until Monday, the official 488th anniversary of her burial.

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