The eldest son of Henry VII, Prince Arthur, born in Winchester and named for glory and drawing on his Welsh ancestry, was sent to govern in Ludlow Castle at a very young age. His father was following the example, set by Edward IV, of sending the heir to the throne to govern the troublesome Marcher lands on the Welsh borders. It was deemed an ideal 'apprenticeship'.
These photos show the inside and outside of the apartments occupied by Prince Arthur.
In 1501, the young Prince was married to the Spanish princess, Katherine of Aragon. It was a superb match for the Tudor family.
The young couple were sent to Ludlow, to live, in my opinion, as husband and wife. The idea of Prince Arthur being a sickly youth is a later invention. No mention of sickliness was made at his wedding, when he and his bride were on view for all to see,and Katherine's parents would surely have enquired as to the health of the young prince. There was no hint of the tragedy to follow.
Both Arthur and Katherine caught some type of sickness in April 1502. Both were expected not to survive. sadly, Arthur died, and Katherine was too ill to even know her young husband was dead.
The young couple seem to have been really happy here. Years later, their private life would come under intense scrutiny. Their apartments are currently under renovation. If only walls could talk!
