Alternate History: What If Kathryn Howard Told Henry VIII About Francis Dereham?

It would have been likely that Kathryn would not have married Henry VIII after all. He may have even remained married to Anne of Cleves for a while longer, or he would have moved onto someone else. This could have worked out in Kathryn’s favor, even though she would not have viewed it that way.

She would have still likely met Thomas Culpepper, and they may still have had some type of relationship. If not, Francis may have still returned to her arms and continued their previous relationship.

Either way, if Kathryn didn’t marry Henry VIII, she would not have lost her head on February 13, 1542.

The king was surrounded by many people who wanted to gain something from court. Kathryn’s honesty would have been a refreshing change for the king, and he may have respected that. All she would have done was tell him that there was someone before him, and that there was possibly a pre-contract between them. Henry’s advisors could have then discussed the validity of that pre-contract and what it would mean for his marriage to her.

There is still a chance that Henry would have married Kathryn still. Previous marriages and contracts did not stop him in the past. Anne Boleyn had been rumored to be betrothed to others before Henry VIII, and Catherine of Aragon and Katherine Parr had both been married previously. None of that stopped Henry from marrying them.

Had she and Henry married, there is still the chance that Kathryn would have had the affair with Thomas Culpepper. However, the chance of them being caught would have been less than it was without telling Henry about Francis. The only reason the news of Kathryn’s love for Thomas came to light was due to Francis telling is interrogators all about it.

Kathryn’s execution only came due to a bill that was passed by the parliament in 1542. It was two months after the executions of Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper. It seems Henry may not have believed that Kathryn committed treason by adultery, despite his execution.

The bill of attainder against Kathryn focused on her relationship with Francis. She was executed because she had failed to tell Henry VIII about her past. By just telling him the truth before their marriage, it suggests that her life would have been spared.

This does depend on whether there was an affair with Culpepper, and whether they were caught or not. Kathryn was certainly discreet with this affair, if there was one. Before the note about Dereham, there was no court gossip surrounding her and Culpepper. That suggests that the rumors about their relationship started by Dereham were false, or that here was nothing to ever suggest it in the open. They may never have been caught in the act, and Kathryn’s life may have in fact been spared!

Kathryn’s downfall came from her relationship with Francis Dereham. Had she just been honest about that to start with, a lot of death and heartbreak could have been prevented. Of course, it doesn’t mean all deaths would have been prevented. There would have still been her affair with Thomas Culepper, and she may have still been caught in the act!