Catherine Holland

Catherine Holland (1637 – 6 January 1720) was an English Roman Catholic convert, a nun, and an autobiographer. Life Holland was born in 1637 to Sir John Holland and Lady Holland (nee Lady Alathea Sandys). She had four sisters and six brothers .The family seat was Quidenham Hall in Norfolk. Her mother had been married before to William Sandys, fourth Baron Sandys. Holland was a Catholic Welsh heiress while her father was a Protestant who had been knighted in 1629. He became a member of parliament in 1640 for Castle Rising in Norfolk. Holland was born in England but lived in Bergen op Zoom from 1641-1652, along with other members of her family. Her father was asked by his fellow members of parliament to get rid of any Catholic members in his household. He objected to this request, knowing that his wife was Catholic and pointed out that people were entitled to follow the Catholic faith in England. Although he allowed Lady Holland freedom of religion, he made every effort to raise his children as Protestants of the Church of England. He made Catherine copy sermons and learn catechisms. If she failed to do said tasks, she would be punished . She later wrote that she knew that Catholics believed that suicide was a grave sin and it was for this reason that she endured her fathers harsh treatment.