Katherine Parr

This work is part of a two-part series on early modern Englishwomen's writings, and is designed to make these women's work more accessible to the reader. Each facsimile text is preceded by an introduction, overview, and biographical material concerning the writer. This book covers Katherine Parr.

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The sixth and last queen of Henry VIII, and friend of Anne Askew, Katherine Parr (c.1513-1548) has a threefold claim to recognition for her contribution to the literary culture of her time. First, as a loving and adept stepmother to the royal children, who took a directive role in their education; second, as the patroness of a circle of Protestant humanist intellectuals who spearheaded the translation of Erasmus’s Latin Paraphrase upon the newe testamente; and third, as the author of the two vernacular religious works reproduced here, which established her as the earliest woman writer in English to see original works reach print and bear her name.