Catherine of York, Countess of Devon

Catherine of York was born on 14 August 1479 at Eltham Palace, Greenwich, England, the sixth daughter of King Edward IV of England and his queen consort Elizabeth Woodville. After her father’s death and the usurpation of the throne by her uncle Richard III, she was declared illegitimate. Her mother sought sanctuary for her family at Westminster Abbey. Catherine’s legitimacy was restored under Henry VII, who married her sister Elizabeth. Catherine herself was involved in diplomatic marriage negotiations but eventually married William Courtenay, son and heir of the Earl of Devon, in 1495.

Accused of conspiracy, her husband was arrested and stripped of his titles in 1502, but was later pardoned by Henry VIII. Catherine became a widow in 1511 and took a vow of celibacy. She lived out her life managing her late husband’s estates and rarely visited the court. She died on 15 November 1527 at Tiverton Castle, Devon, England, and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Tiverton.