The Spanish Princess has captivated audiences with its lush costumes and dramatic portrayal of Catherine of Aragon’s early years, but how accurate is this Tudor-era television series when held up against the historical record? Based on Philippa Gregory’s novel, the show blends fact with fiction, often taking significant liberties with real events, characters, and timelines. In this essay, we’ll explore the historical inaccuracies in The Spanish Princess, separating the dramatized narrative from the documented truth about Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, and the Tudor court.
With over 25 years of studying the Tudor period and a seven-book Tudor historical fiction series to my name, I bring a well-researched and passionate perspective to the lives of Henry VII, Catherine of Aragon, and the court that shaped them. If you enjoy peeling back the layers of fact and fiction in Tudor dramas, you’ll feel right at home here, and maybe even find yourself intrigued enough to explore my novels that bring this world to life in rich, imaginative detail.
Episode 4: The Other Woman
Jealousy and suspicion simmer as Henry’s infidelity threatens Catherine’s position. In Episode 4 of The Spanish Princess Season 2, the queen fights to keep her husband’s love and maintain her influence in court. This episode intensifies the drama of the Tudor marriage, weaving together betrayal, court intrigue, and the beginning signs of marital unraveling that will haunt English history.
Margaret in Turmoil
We return to Scotland, where Margaret Tudor lashes out at the royal council, is ousted by Albany, and flees with her children. The show milks this for high drama, but the truth was far less hostile. Historically, Margaret remained in Scotland until Albany arrived, at which point she surrendered her stronghold and entrusted her sons to him willingly. They weren’t enemies. In fact, she later thanked him for protecting her boys. And yes, by the time she arrived in England, she had already given birth to Lady Margaret Douglas at Berwick, not mid-flight across hostile territory. (Fun fact: Henry housed her at Scotland Yard, then the Scottish embassy, long before it became a police station.)
The show leans into sibling rivalry, implying Henry resented her. But real Henry VIII had an affectionate relationship with Margaret, even if he didn’t always agree with her political moves. No record exists of him declaring she “got what she deserved.”
“The Way of English Kings”: A Nonsensical Line
Oviedo, trying to comfort Lena about Henry’s new mistress, says it’s “the way of English kings.” I had to pause. What would Oviedo know about English kings, exactly?
When he arrived in England, Henry VII was still king; one of only five English monarchs in recorded history not to keep a mistress. Oviedo would have no precedent for this idea. And if we’re talking about European rulers more broadly… well, Ferdinand of Aragon (Catherine’s father), the French kings, and Emperor Maximilian all had mistresses. If anything, Catherine and everyone at her court would have grown up more familiar with that dynamic than Henry had.
Wait, WHAT??
In an awkward scene at a mixed-company dinner, Anne Hastings brings up virginal bleeding and discomfort on the wedding night. As everyone calmly sips wine. Absolutely not.
This subject was taboo in courtly settings and would never have been broached so casually at the dinner table, especially not by noblewomen. If this conversation happened at all, it would’ve taken place in whispered private circles or bawdy men’s banter. And at this point in Catherine and Henry’s marriage, the papal dispensation had cleared the air. No one was obsessing over Arthur anymore.
“Sure, Take a Mistress”: Catherine Did Not Say That
Catherine’s awkward line about understanding her husband’s “physical needs” made me want to throw something. The show makes her sound strangely pragmatic, as though she’s rationalizing infidelity like a modern therapist. Historically? She was hurt. She called him out on his behavior. She didn’t go to him with calm resignation and give him permission.
When she did confront him, he didn’t respond like a sensitive modern man; he responded by throwing a tantrum and banishing some of her beloved attendants. That’s the real drama. This watered-down exchange does a disservice to Catherine’s integrity and strength.
Howard to the Rescue?
The show has Thomas Howard swoop in like a knight to escort Margaret Tudor to safety. It’s a great visual, but not remotely true. Historically, Lord Dacre was sent to receive her, not stage a dramatic escape. To make things stranger, the show depicts Henry resenting Howard for various reasons and banishing him. In truth, Howard remained one of Henry’s most trusted men, helped suppress riots, fought at Flodden, and later arranged the marriage to his own niece, Anne Boleyn. Not exactly banishment material.
Early Birth? Not So Fast
The birth of Princess Mary is portrayed as premature and disappointing. In reality, Catherine carried her to full term, and both parents were relieved that a child survived. Henry did not refuse to hold her. In fact, he adored Mary and referred to her as “my pearl.”
The idea that Catherine herself dismisses her daughter’s worth is ludicrous. She came from a line of strong female rulers and would have known Mary’s survival was a sign of hope. Catherine wasn’t angry; it’s more likely she doubled down in faith and determination and saw this living birth as a promise for the future and the restoration of God’s favor to her household.
Thomas More, Feminist Dad (for Now)
I’ll give the show some credit here: Thomas More is shown as a father who values education for his daughters. That part is accurate. More was unusually progressive for his time, ensuring that Margaret and his other children received a rich humanist education. (Even if the show later throws his legacy under the bus, for now, he’s actually getting his due.)
Step Back in Time with The Tudor Throne Series
While The Spanish Princess revamps Catherine’s story with dramatic flair, The Tudor Throne Series offers you a more historically accurate interpretation to the tapestry of events in her young life. Set earlier during Catherine of Aragon’s formative years, each novel blends rich historical details (family loyalties, dynastic alliances, and peril) with the emotional depth and suspense you crave.
