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Vanessa Braganza: decoding messages left by Catherine of Aragon

Self-described “book detective” and literary scholar at Harvard University, Vanessa Braganza has recently uncovered what she believes to be a long-overlooked example of defiance by the first wife of King Henry VIII.

According to Vanessa Braganza, the Catherine of Aragon cipher contains the words "Henricvs Rex" and "Katherine. (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

Catherine of Aragon (PHOTO: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Pendant designs by Hans Holbein (PHOTO: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Example of intertwined letters (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

Example of intertwined letters (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

(PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

Example of intertwined letters (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

Replica of a cipher embroidered by Mary, Queen of Scots while imprisoned by her cousin, Elizabeth I, for 19 years. (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

Hampton Court cipher (PHOTO: Vanessa Braganza)

(PHOTO: supplied)

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.