Cannes 2023; who was Catherine Parr, the subject of Alicia Vikander’s red stair premiere, Firebrand?

It was another weekend of premieres at Cannes Film Festival, with both the new Todd Haynes film, May December, premiering alongside the highly anticipated new film from Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon. But one film that didn’t go unnoticed on the French Riviera this weekend, and also caught the attention of today’s birthday girl Naomi Campbell, was Karim Aïnouz’s English language debut, Firebrand.

Taking to the red stairs for the premiere, both Jude Law and Alicia Vikander were on hand to soak up a near eight-minute standing ovation after the screening of the film, based around the life of Catherine Parr - the last of King Henry VIII’s six wives and the final queen consort of the House of Tudor. Vikander herself was cast in the role of Parr, with Jude Law taking on the role of Henry VIII, with a distinctly European cast including Sam Riley (Control, Maleficent) and Eddie Marsan (Showtime’s Ray Donovan, The Gentleman.)

Early reviews for the film have praised Jude Law’s performance, putting on the pounds to give an accurate portrayal of Henry VIII, with The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw going as far to say that Law “outrageously steals every scene as a horrendously unwell and cross Henry VIII in this Tudor court intrigue drama.” We would also be remiss not to once again mention the near eight-minute standing ovation for the film, which could be Karim Aïnouz’s breakthrough to mainstream audiences.

Historical fiction, especially pertaining to the royal family, has been a very popular genre of it’s own, after the success of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite in 2018 that led to Olivia Coleman’s Best Actress Oscar and the continued fandom on the small screen of Netflix’s Bridgerton and more recently Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. 

But if history was not your forte in school (I’ll put my hand up first to admit it), and you were curious as to who Catherine Parr was and, naturally, how she survived the reign of Henry VIII, Peopleworld is here to give you a bit of a history lesson on Catherine Parr - the last wife of King Henry VIII.

Who was Catherine Parr?

Catherine Parr holds a significant place in royal history as the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII of England. Born into a noble family in 1512, Catherine Parr received a rare opportunity for education, which was unusual for women of her time. Her scholarly pursuits fostered a deep intellectual curiosity and a passion for religious learning. This foundation would later shape her role in the religious landscape of Tudor England.

In 1543, Catherine Parr entered into matrimony with King Henry VIII, becoming his sixth wife. Their union played a pivotal role in Catherine's influence on religious matters. Recognizing her intellect and religious knowledge, Henry VIII entrusted Catherine with regency duties during his military campaigns, signifying his trust in her abilities.

Her historical significance lies in her support for religious reform and her commitment to advancing Protestant principles and not just as the last wife of Henry VIII. As queen consort, she actively engaged in theological discussions, patronised scholars, and gathered a circle of like-minded intellectuals known as "the Queen's household." Through her influence, she played a part in promoting Protestant ideals and fostering an environment of intellectual exchange.

Her literary contributions played a crucial role in disseminating Protestant ideas. Her most notable work, "Prayers or Meditations," published in 1545, aimed to provide guidance for personal devotion. By incorporating evangelical theology into her writings, she helped shape religious thought and fostered a growing interest in Protestantism among the educated elite.

Catherine Parr's enduring legacy serves as a testament to her role as a pioneering figure, a champion of religious reform, and an influential queen consort in the annals of royal history.