Bertie, Catharine (1519–1580)

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Bertie, Catharine (1519–1580)

Duchess of Suffolk. Name variations: Katherine or Catherine Willoughby; Dowager of Suffolk. Born on March 22, 1519 (some sources cite 1520, but her baptism was on March 26, 1519, in Parham, Suffolk); died on September 19, 1580; interred at Spilsby, Lincolnshire; only child of William Willoughby, 8th baron Willoughby of Eresby, andMary de Salinas ; married Charles Brandon (1484–1545), duke of Suffolk (r. 1514–1545), on September 7, 1534 or 1536; married Richard Bertie (1516–1582), M.P., in 1553; children: (first marriage) Henry Brandon (b. 1535), 2nd duke of Suffolk; Charles Brandon (b. 1537), 3rd duke of Suffolk; (second marriage) Peregrine Bertie (b. 1555), Lord Willoughby of Eresby.

Catharine Bertie, duchess of Suffolk, was a fervent advocate for the Reformation. Her husband Charles Brandon was also married to Anne Browne (d. 1511), Margaret Neville (b. 1466), and Mary Tudor (1496–1533).

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