Jo Steer

In fact, they would alter the culture and habits of the whole island, what would become the United Kingdom.

Catherine, a young queen in a foreign country, must have treasured those sips of her favorite tea.

It would have been a comforting habit, as she had likely been used to drinking it daily in Portugal.

The Portuguese had been importing tea to Europe since the start of the 17th century.

But to the English, it was a rare, exotic import.

Tea wasn't entirely unheard of when Catherine arrived, but it was very new and by no means common.

In 1660, just two years before, the famed diarist Samuel Pepys wrote about trying his first ever cup.

So we can't give Catherine all of the credit or say that she alone introduced England to tea.

We can say rather that she popularized it because soon after her arrival in London, Catherine's favorite drink was being sipped throughout court.

It became fashionable among well-to-do ladies who sought to replicate the habits of the queen.

We should also consider the timing of Catherine's arrival.

In recent years, England had endured one of the most turbulent periods in its history.

The monarchy had been abandoned and the country had become a de facto republic.

This was led by Oliver Cromwell, a devout Puritan who valued hard work and piety above all else.

He aimed to reform the nation's morals by closing theaters and inns.

Many sports and celebrations were also banned.

In Cromwell's England, there had been no place for fun, frivolity, pleasure, or indulgence.

The coronation of Charles II a year before his marriage marked the return of a ruling king.

It's often referred to today as the Restoration Monarchy.

Charles's reign offered a return to normality, an end to the chaos of the preceding years.