• Tudor period, (1545) taken from the portrait hanging in the National Portrait Gallery (shown below: Copyright acknowledged). Many books printed prior to 1996 show this portrait as being of Lady Jane Grey. However, it was re-identified as Catherine Parr in 1996 upon the discovery of some royal jewel inventories, which linked the distinctive brooch worn by the subject to Catherine Parr
• The dolls' body is porcelain
• 1/12th scale; 5 1/2in tall. Her arms can be posed but she is not able to sit down
• The Tudor gown has a silk embroidered, lined underskirt, encrusted with pearls, which matches the lace trimmed lower sleeves and the lining of the upper sleeves. The lined overskirt, bodice and upper sleeves are in silk brocade. The Tudor veil is of black velvet with a silk beaded headdress and she is wearing burgundy leather shoes. Underneath her dress she wears silk drawers and petticoat. Her jewellery is Linda's interpretation with some 'artistic license' allowed for working in 1/12th scale.

Historical Note

Catherine Parr was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal. She was twice widowed before becoming Queen of England in 1543 as the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Educated, tactful and spirited, Catherine was able to manage Henry better than any of his previous wives. It was she who persuaded him to restore his daughters Mary and Elizabeth to the succession. Shortly after Henry's death in 1547, Catherine married Thomas Seymour. She died in childbirth the following year.