On This Day In History . 21 May 1662 . King Charles II Married Catherine of Braganza . . . ◼ On 23 June 1661, a marriage treaty was signed, Catherine's dowry securing to England Tangier (in North Africa) and the Seven islands of Bombay (the latter having a major influence on the development of the British Empire in India), together with trading privileges in Brazil and the East Indies, religious and commercial freedom in Portugal and two million Portuguese crowns (about £300,000); while Portugal obtained military and naval support against Spain and liberty of worship for Catherine. . ◼ Catherine journeyed from Portugal to Portsmouth on 13–14 May 1662, but was not visited by Charles there until 20 May. The next day the couple were married at Portsmouth in two ceremonies – a Catholic one conducted in secret, followed by a public Anglican service. . ◼ Catherine had three miscarriages and produced no heirs. Her husband kept many mistresses, most notably Barbara Palmer, whom Catherine was forced to accept as one of her Ladies of the Bedchamber. Charles fathered numerous illegitimate offspring by his mistresses whom he acknowledged. . 👑 Catherine and Charles are credited with introducing the custom of drinking tea to the British court, which was common among the Portuguese nobility . . . . #OnThisDayInHistory #ThisDayInHistory #TheYear1662 #RoyalWedding #d21May #CharlesII #KingCharlesII #KingofEngland #CharlesIIofEngland #CatherineofBraganza #houseofbraganza #HouseofStuart #Stuarts #Royalty #EnglishMonarchy #BritishMonarchy #historyfacts #Royalweddings #brideandgroom #Portuguese #Braganza #Onthisday #Anglican #Catholic #Weddingservice #merrymonarch (at Portsmouth) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxurip-lE_o/?igshid=cbkx0bt2pvvv
