American Toby Jug Museum 

Catherine Howard tiny character jug modeled by William K. Harper and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, in a 1996 limited edition of 2,500 commissioned by Lawleys By Post. A spirited, uninhibited girl, Catherine Howard (1521-1542) was only nineteen when she became Henry VIII's fifth wife in 1540, just sixteen days after the nullification of the King's marriage to Anne of Cleves. Catherine seems to have encouraged the aging Henry to enjoy life once more as she reveled in the festive life at Court. She tragically failed, however, to appreciate her position as Queen. Her pre-marital promiscuity allegedly continued in wedlock and when her indiscretions were revealed to the adoring King, such deception and dishonor could not be tolerated. She was dragged screaming from Hampton Court Palace as she tried to reach Henry to plead for her life. In February, 1542, at the Tower of London, Catherine Howard followed in the footsteps of Anne Boleyn and was beheaded. A signpost with the initials CH form the handle of the jug.