Henry VII may have had some difficulty keeping his position as king secure, but he soon proved adept at international relations. The old warlike attitude of feudal kings was something Henry seemed content to put behind him. His initial tentative forays into international conflict were replaced by forward-thinking attempts to establish and maintain international peace.
One common form of alliance between medieval European nations was marriage -- and early on, Henry negotiated with Spain for a union between his young son and the daughter of the Spanish king. Spain had become an undeniable power in Europe, and concluding a marriage contract with the Spanish princess gave Henry notable prestige.
As the eldest son of the king and the next in line for the throne, Arthur, Prince of Wales, was extensively educated in classical studies and trained in matters of administration. On November 14, 1501, he wed Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. Arthur was barely 15; Catherine, not quite a year older.
The Middle Ages were a time of arranged marriages, especially among nobility, and weddings were often performed while the couple was still young. It was common for youthful grooms and their brides to spend time getting to know each other, and achieving a measure of maturity, before consummating the marriage. Arthur was reportedly heard to make a veiled reference to sexual exploits on his wedding night, but this may have been mere bravado. No one ever really knew what happened between Arthur and Catherine in their bedchamber -- except Arthur and Catherine.
This may seem like a minor matter, but it would prove considerably significant to Catherine 25 years later.
Immediately after their marriage, Arthur and his bride went to Ludlow, Wales, where the prince took up his duties in administering the region. There Arthur contracted a disease, possibly tuberculosis; and, after an extended illness, he died on April 2, 1502.
Next: Young Henry