Arthur was born in September 1486 to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Winchester. His name was chosen purposely to refect upon him memories of that legendary king. With his birth, the dynasty was off to a good start.

In 1488-9, Henry VII negotiated the preliminary treaty of Medina del Campo with Spain which included the proposal that Arthur would be married to Catherine of Aragon, the young daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella.

In 1496, further negotiations were conducted and it was agreed that Catherine would come to England in 1500, when Arthur was 14. Catherine did eventually arrive in October 1501.

After 16 years of negotiation, the Spanish marriage for Arthur finally took place 14th November 1501 in old St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Although Henry VII had (and still has) a reputation for penny-pinching, this wedding was an occasion that he spared no expense.

After the wedding, Arthur and Catherine went to Ludlow Castle on the border between England and Wales. On April 2, 1502, Arthur died, leaving Catherine a young widow in a foreign country.