Katherine Parr’s Queenship and Protestant Reform

Katherine Parr married Henry VIII in 1543 and became an influential patron of education, religious writing and reform. She helped reconcile the royal family, served as regent during Henry’s absence in France and published devotional works under her own name.

Her religious interests exposed her to conservative hostility, and a plan for her arrest was narrowly defeated. After Henry’s death she married Thomas Seymour, but the household was destabilised by Seymour’s behaviour towards the young Princess Elizabeth and by factional politics surrounding Edward VI.

The Secret Keeper combines Katherine’s documented court and household with a fictional attendant whose prophetic dreams sharpen the themes of conscience, heresy, loyalty and secrecy.