Now if Katharine had not been a woman of forbearance and real virtue she would immediately have turned on her enemies when she had the king in her power, but instead of that she induced him to overlook Wriothesley's offence, but he never forgave Gardiner the blunder he had made, and not only struck his name from his council-book but forbade him his presence. Henry is said to have been very kind and affectionate to Katharine during his latter days, yet it was well-known that he was preparing another charge of heresy against her when death overtook him, and that she survived him only by special good luck.
A.D. 1547. Henry VIII. expired January 28, 1547, at the royal palace of Westminster, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.
When his will was opened Katharine was surprised and indignant to find that she was not appointed regent of the realm, with the care of the young King Edward VI., as she deserved to be.
The king's body lay in state for several days, and was then buried with great pomp in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
A few months after his death Katharine returned to her former lover, Sir Thomas Seymour, to whom she was married in the month of May, 1547. Her royal stepchildren were much pleased at this match, and continued their affection for Katharine throughout her life.
