Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and the daughter of the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Born in 1485, she was originally married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, who died shortly after their wedding. Catherine then married Henry in 1509, becoming queen consort. Catherine was a devout Catholic and played a significant role in the early years of Henry's reign. However, their marriage faced challenges, particularly due to their failure to produce a male heir. This led to Henry's desire for an annulment, which ultimately resulted in the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.