Who's Who in Medieval History
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Arthur's Titles: Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester, Prince of Wales
Arthur was born nine months after the wedding of his father, the very new king Henry VII, and his mother Elizabeth of York. The joining of the houses of York and Lancaster through marriage had been an important symbolic move, intended to heal the rift caused by the Wars of the Roses. His parents deliberately chose the name Arthur to associate the heir to the throne with the legendary British king. Although he was rather frail, Arthur's ability to survive infancy gave the Tudors hope for his future as the next king of England.
Arthur was entitled Duke of Cornwall when he was born and a Knight of the Bath at his christening. At age three he was made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. At age five he was made a Knight of the Garter. Henry saw to it that Arthur received a thorough classical education in the manner of Renaissance princes.
When Arthur was barely two, Henry began negotiations to wed him to the daughter of the Spanish monarchs. The delayed process was finally concluded when young Catherine of Aragon arrived in England in 1502. Notably frugal Henry spared no expense on their lavish November wedding.
The question of whether or not Arthur and Catherine consummated their marriage (not unusual to wait at their age and in that time period) would be of great importance 25 years later.
