Page "Thomas Culpeper" Paragraph 6

On June 30 Catherine and King Henry VIII travelled north to York in the hope of meeting James V of Scotland.

They arrived at Lincoln on August 9, where Culpeper met Catherine for another secret meeting in her bedchamber.

These meetings continued in Pontefract Castle, after the court arrived on August 23.

It is believed that the infamous letter Catherine sent to Culpeper was sent during these proceedings.

In this letter she wishes to know how he is and is troubled that he is ill. Catherine also writes, “ I never longed so muche for thynge as I do to se you and to speke wyth you, the wyche I trust shal be shortely now ,” and “ my trust ys allway in you that you wolbe as you have promysed me ...” These statements cause some audiences to believe that their affair was not one of passion, but rather centred towards Culpeper ’ s political agenda.

With Henry in poor health and only his very young son Edward to succeed him, being Catherine's favourite would undoubtedly have put Culpeper in a very strong political position.

As a well-liked member of the King ’ s Privy Chamber he enjoyed a close relationship with Henry.

If the promise Catherine mentioned was in reference to his possible knowledge about her previous sexual relationship, Culpeper was most likely using this as leverage to gain power and control over the Queen herself.

In her letter Catherine states that she longs to talk with Culpeper but does not mention any desire to be intimate with him.