Catherine of Braganza’s Long Road to the Crown

Catherine of Braganza – Lely 1663-65

A Royal Union Renewed

On June 23, 1661, the Marriage Treaty, or Anglo-Portuguese Treaty, was completed. This would be the latest renewal of an agreement between England and Portugal, which initially concluded in May 1386. Catherine of Braganza, the daughter of the newly restored Braganza monarch King João IV of Portugal, was to marry Charles Stuart, the newly restored King Charles II of England. It would be the culmination of many years of negotiation by Catherine’s mother, Queen Luisa Maria Francisca.

Immediately, they called Catherine ‘Queen’ at the court in Lisbon. With an enormous dowry at stake, they prepared for Catherine’s departure from Lisbon. The contrast between the ceremonies for Catherine’s departure and her arrival in England could not have been more pronounced.

Departure Preparations in Lisbon

By April 23, 1662, everything was ready for Catherine’s departure. The English ship Royal Charles was waiting at the mouth of the Tagus River to receive her on board. That morning, Catherine emerged from the antechamber of her mother’s apartments, followed by her two brothers, King Alphonso and Dom Pedro. Behind them was a long and imposing procession of the grandees of Portugal, the officers of the household and the Court nobles.

The Queen’s Farewell

Catherine wore the traditional costume of Portugal, comprising a wide hoop skirt made of a rich material with a farthingale, huge bishop sleeves, a deep lace collar, a stiff stomacher and a long ostrich feather in her hair. The entire party descended the grand staircase of the palace to the Hall of the Germans. In this designated location, Catherine made her final leave-taking with her mother. Charles’ representative, the Earl of Sandwich, also waited for her here. Being a dutiful daughter, Catherine begged permission to kiss her mother’s hand. But Catherine was now Queen of England, not just her daughter, so Queen Luisa would not allow her to humble herself before the Queen Mother of Portugal.

Luisa formally embraced Catherine and gave her a blessing. Neither one of them showed any emotion, but the courtiers, grandees and duennas surrounding them openly wept. Following this, Catherine turned to her two brothers, who escorted her to her coach. She turned back to her mother and made a deep curtsey. The Queen blessed her again, then retired from the scene before Catherine even entered the coach. Catherine sat in the right-hand seat; Alphonso sat at her side, and Pedro sat with his back to the horses.

The Farewell Mass

The royal coach and procession of English and Portuguese nobles, along with many guards, made its way to the cathedral for the farewell Mass. Canon boomed from the fortresses and ships, and the bells of the cathedral and monastery chimed. Music and dancers filled the streets. The cortege reached the beautifully decorated cathedral at nine o’clock, where they held a special benedictory Mass.

As the coach arrived, Lord Sandwich, followed by Dom Pedro and then Catherine, led by King Alphonso, entered the great door. The King and Dom Pedro dropped to their knees to kiss a cross under a canopy held by six priests. Catherine took her seat in the place of honour in the church as the English Protestants strolled into the shady cloisters while the Mass proceeded. Following the singing of the Te Deum, the entire party returned to their coaches.

Procession to the Quay

The stately royal train made its way to the Terreiro do Paço and the quay through streets hung with silks, damasks and cloth of gold. Part of the cavalcade included effigies of Catherine and King Charles in robes of state and jewels. Charles’ effigy bore the regalia of his coronation. Joyful and triumphant shouts erupted from the people.

As they neared the Terreiro do Paço near the waterside, the coach carrying Catherine and her brothers entered the docks by a nearby garden where someone had cut a door in the wall to allow their entrance. Everyone else left their coaches and walked through another door in the same garden to a brilliantly adorned pier hung with flags and pennons. Everyone who had escorted Catherine ceremoniously kissed her hand with great reverence.

The Royal Charles

Boarding the Royal Charles

Those who offered to do the same to King Alphonso, who refused, as he didn’t want to detract from the glory of Catherine’s day. The English fleet awaited Catherine in the bay. It included fourteen men-of-war, among them the Royal Charles and the Vice-Admiral’s ship, the Gloucester. The Montague carried the new Queen’s outfit. The three-deck ships flew the English standard, with the Royal Charles flying the royal ensign. Beside the quay lay a splendidly appointed barge with the Portuguese royal standard.
Alphonso led Catherine to the barge of state. Dom Pedro, Lord Sandwich and the English gentlemen of Catherine’s new household, the Portuguese ambassador, the Marquis de Sande, and four other Portuguese grandees boarded the barge. Other nobles and duennas followed in high-prowed boats. As the barge drew away from the quay, the artillery boomed from the forts in the hills, and the ships in the bay answered the salute.

They assisted Catherine up the ladder into the ship. Now, legally in England, Alphonso formally gave her to Lord Sandwich, who then escorted her to her specially prepared cabin. Crimson velvet embroidered with gold covered the wooden bulkheads. The cushions, stools, chairs and cloths of state were also of red velvet and gold, and the portholes had curtains of damask and taffeta. Persian and Indian carpets covered the floor. Perfumes filled the air, and incense burned. There was a white taffeta bed in a red and gold frame.

Final Goodbyes at Sea

In this room, Catherine made her final, sorrowful goodbyes to her brothers. Other ladies kissed her hand and departed, leaving her alone with members of her new household. She was supposed to remain in this room, but she defied the strict court etiquette and made her way back to the deck. Alphonso sternly indicated she should return below deck, but Catherine disobeyed him, following her brothers to the top of the ladder, watching as they descended into the royal Portuguese barge. The King again motioned for her to return to her cabin, and she reluctantly obeyed.

Storm and Celebration on the Tagus

The Royal Charles was supposed to sail, but the winds took to blowing strongly against the fleet and they remained moored in the Tagus River for two days. Lisbon took this opportunity to continue the celebrations. The people rejoiced and brought a gaily decorated craft into the bay. At night, there were fireworks. Guitars played, and the sound of love songs drifted over the water. Catherine remained in seclusion with her ladies in her cabin, with no visitors. Her mother dispatched messages, declaring her sympathy over the delay.

On the evening of April 24th, King Alphonso and Dom Pedro joined the river carnival celebrations with several musical nobles of the Court accompanying them in barges with their musical instruments. Surrounding the ship, they serenaded Catherine with various carols, sonnets, madrigals, canozoni, and epithalamiums, all composed in honour of her nuptials.

The Voyage to England

The wind calmed during the night, and although the conditions were not ideal, Lord Sandwich made the decision to put the ship to sea. Catherine emerged from her cabin to take one last look at her beloved Portugal and watched Lisbon fade from view. She would not see her country for another thirty years.

But before the flotilla had crossed the river’s bar, the winds intensified, and the rain fell in torrents. Water from the waves broke over the decks of the ships. Everyone was seasick, and several of the ships suffered damage. The storm lasted thirteen days.

At last, the ships reached the English coast between the Lizard and Land’s End and sought shelter in Mount’s Bay. The people welcomed Catherine with salvos of artillery and fireworks, but she was too sick to make an appearance. After two days, the fleet headed to Portsmouth and dropped anchor off the Isle of Wight.

The news arrived at Portsmouth, and the fleet had appeared. Charles’ brother James, Duke of York, awaited the summons and boarded his ship, setting out with five frigates to receive and welcome Catherine on behalf of the King.

A Royal Welcome

As soon as James came in sight of Sandwich’s ships, he sent his secretary off in a boat propelled by rowers to ask permission to wait upon Catherine and kiss her hand. Catherine immediately returned the secretary with the answer that a delay would be painful to her. James boarded his private barge accompanied by several nobles and members of Catherine’s new household, all wearing full court dress. The Marquis de Sande, with other Portuguese grandees, stood on the deck of the Royal Charles to receive James.

Catherine was clothed in a dress of white cloth trimmed with silver lace in the English fashion for the meeting. She waited in the innermost presence-chamber of her cabin, replete with throne and canopy. James entered the room and dropped to his knees. Catherine came forward and raised him to his feet. She then returned to her throne and sat down. Using her almoner and interpreter, Bishop Russell, she recited a few formal remarks in Portuguese, acknowledging James’ equally formal welcome, which he spoke in English.

Winning the English Court

Formalities out of the way, Catherine motioned for James to sit in an armchair on her right. But this he modestly refused. She then pointed to a tabouret (high stool) on her left, outside of the canopy, which he cordially accepted. They then began speaking in Spanish together, and James assured her of his brotherly affection for her and his desire to always serve her. Catherine appeared gracious, dignified, and self-possessed, and seemed very pleased. She impressed James with her gentleness and kindness.

After the interview, all the English nobles met Catherine and kissed her hand. Then she presented the Portuguese grandees to the English. James received them with great courtesy. It was time to end the ceremony, and Catherine stood up and walked toward James. He tried to stop her, protesting that she must remember her rank. Catherine smiled and replied that she wished to do out of affection what she was not obliged to do, to the delight of the duke. Catherine had made an excellent first impression.

First Meeting with Charles II

Because of delays in dealing with Parliament, it would be a week before King Charles could get away. Catherine stayed in the Governor’s residence of Portsmouth, which they called the King’s House. Charles left London riding without stopping, finally arriving on May 21. After a change of clothing, the long-awaited meeting of the couple took place. Catherine had fallen ill with a cold and had a sore throat, so she met Charles in her bed. The meeting went well.

Even though she was not feeling her best, her kindness and graciousness impressed the King. Charles would say of Catherine that although she was not a beauty, her eyes were excellent good and there was nothing in her face that in the least degree could shock anyone. The wedding took place that same day with a secret Catholic service to satisfy Catherine and a public Anglican rite in public.

The Aqua Triumphalis

Aqua Triumphalis

It would not be until August, following weeks of preparation, that Catherine would make her state entry to Whitehall Palace in London from Hampton Court Palace. This would be an aquatic parade on the Thames on 23 August, called the Aqua Triumphalis. King Charles eschewed large public ceremonies related to his marriage. In contrast with the lavish ceremonials staged in Lisbon to celebrate the conclusion of the marriage treaty and Catherine’s departure for England, the hastily put-together London water pageant lacked spectacle.