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6:16 pm
March 1, 2010
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Why are there two common spellings (excluding modern variants)– which one is older? According to wikipedia Catherine is the French version of Katherine– in which case why is it used for Catherine Howard (although both are used for her)? Also, Catherine of Aragon was descended from Catherine of Lancaster- definitely not French.
I am interested in whether this was spelled with a C or K in the Tudor day. Perhaps you history buffs can clear this one up.
6:34 pm
August 12, 2009
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Eek, you might be opening a can of worms there. In Spanish, it was Catalina. She Anglicized it to Katherine (Katharine, Catherine) when she went to England to marry Arthur and become the future Queen of that country.
Personally, I spell KOA 'Katharine' and 'Katherine' Parr with an 'e' to keep them straight in my own head. It seems inconsistent to then spell 'Katherine' Howard with a 'C', but I'm sloppy about picking yet a 3rd 'K' spelling like Katheryn or Kathyrn, Kathyrne, etc. to make her stand out for me, too. None of that has anything to do with being correct spelling for me. Just trying to keep 3 wives of the same man with the same name straight.
Just saying there's quite a bit of controversy on other boards about which spelling is more correct with this issue.
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
6:55 pm
January 9, 2010
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There was no uniform spelling in Tudor times as the dictionary hadn't been invented yet! And when it came to names it could get even murkier. In Anne's last letter to Henry from the Tower she signs herself as 'Anne Bullen' – the English spelling as opposed to the more French 'Boleyn'.
In regards to the Katherine/Catherines it seems to get even more confusing and I'm not sure if later historians didn't come up with their own spelling in accordance with whatever was more fashionable at the time. Tracking down copies of their actual letters might help to clear things up a bit! But I'm in agreement with Impish_Impulse on this in that I give a K to the first and last wives and a C for Catherine Howard. It just makes it easier!
7:23 pm
August 12, 2009
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Oh no, Bella! You just reminded me of Katheryn Howard's only letter known to exist – that infamous letter to 'Master Coulpeper' which is signed, “Yours as long as lyffe endures, Katheryn”. I have my 3rd 'K' spelling!
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
10:08 pm
January 9, 2010
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I know!!! But I still see her as Catherine – at least in my own head! It just helps to give them some individuality! Though if I were to write about Catherine Howard in any serious/academic way I think I'd have to spell her name with a 'K' as that's how she saw herself.
Hmm, I wonder if Henry had these problems? 
1:28 am
February 16, 2009
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I just call them all “Catherine” and only use a K if I'm quoting from an historian who uses K, otherwise I think I'd go insane!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
5:26 pm
August 12, 2009
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Bella44 said:
Hmm, I wonder if Henry had these problems?
Naw, he'd just scrawl “HR” and he was good to go!
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
6:56 pm
November 18, 2010
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DD2 is a Kathryn as it`s my prefered spelling.
It's always bunnies.
2:23 pm
December 17, 2009
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I can't remember which historian it was but one of their books they say in the intro that to differentiate, KofA is spelt Catherine, Howard is spelt Kathryn and Parr- Katherine.
that's the formula I usually use otherwise it can get confusing. I reckon Henry was grateful – at least he didn't have to worry much about calling out the wrong name 
Sarah x
5:18 pm
October 12, 2010
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I started a thread exactly like this one in “The Six Wives”….. I don't think there is any true and proper spelling. I tend to go with Catherine of Aragon, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr, but it changes regularly!!
I agree with you Sarah! With three Catherine's, two Anne's and a Jane, Henry didn't really have to remember many names!!
