Katherine Dare’s life, spanning from 1508 to 1593, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Tudor era in England. Born in Buckinghamshire, England, to Thomas Bledlowe and Elizabeth Starkey, Katherine grew up in a period marked by significant religious and social upheaval. Her father, Thomas, was 32, and her mother, Elizabeth, was 35 at the time of her birth. Katherine had a sister named Elizabeth Bledlow.

In her early years, Katherine would have witnessed the early stages of the English Reformation, a time when religious practices and affiliations were undergoing profound changes. The publication of the Book of Common Prayer in 1549, when Katherine was 41, and the Act of Uniformity in 1558, which she experienced at the age of 50, were pivotal events that shaped the religious landscape of England. These events, occurring under the reigns of Henry VIII and his children, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, would have had a direct impact on Katherine’s life, dictating the religious practices she and her family were expected to follow.

Katherine married John Goodwin, and together they had a large family, including at least two sons – John and Henry Goodwin, and six daughters – Lady Frances Marie, Cecily, Petronilla, Mary, Amphillis, and Joyce Goodwin. The couple’s life would have been typical of the Tudor period, with John likely involved in local affairs or agriculture, while Katherine managed the household and the upbringing of their children.

Living through the Tudor period, Katherine and her family would have experienced the socio-economic challenges of the time. The Tudor era, particularly under the reign of Elizabeth I, saw the expansion of commerce and the beginnings of English colonialism. However, it was also a time of social stratification and limited opportunities for social mobility. As members of the gentry or the upper peasantry, Katherine and her family would have enjoyed a certain level of comfort and status, but their lives would have been far removed from the opulence of the royal court.

Katherine’s life also coincided with the introduction of the state lottery in 1569, a novel concept at the time, which reflected the evolving nature of finance and leisure in Tudor England. This period was also marked by the continued development of English literature and the arts, although it’s unclear how much Katherine and her family were exposed to these cultural shifts.

Katherine passed away in 1593 in London, England, at the age of 85. She was buried in St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Upper Winchendon, Aylesbury Vale District, Buckinghamshire, England. Her life, spanning nearly the entire Tudor period, was a witness to some of the most significant changes in English history, from the Reformation to the early stages of the British Empire. Her story, embedded in the fabric of Tudor England, offers a unique perspective on a transformative period in English history.