Welcome to On the Tudor Trail Amy! Could you share with us a little about yourself and your background?
Hello Natalie, well, I was always interested in the Tudors. I started reading Jean Plaidy novels as a teenager, which made me want to get out all the Tudor biographies in the library- I did have a particular obsession with Anne Boleyn then. After doing a degree in Literature and really enjoying the Middle English texts, I did an MA in Medieval and Tudor Studies, based in Canterbury with its lovely old buildings and cathedral. I then taught for ten years but when I was at home with young children, I decided to try and put some of my ideas down on paper. I couldn’t really get out and about much so most of it was written at my kitchen table with a toddler running round me.
In Bed With the Tudors by Amy Licence
What inspired you to write In Bed With the Tudors: The Sex Lives of a Dynasty, from Elizabeth of York to Elizabeth I?
Actually, it was having my first son. I met lots of lovely new mums and was struck by the differences in their experiences of pregnancy and birth, which got me thinking about how women had coped in the past. The book started off as a history of childbirth and then expanded to include other aspects of the female experience. I was also interested to look deeper at that aspect of the lives of well-known figures such as the Tudor Queens, which seemed to be such a defining feature of their lives but was often quickly passed over in biographies.
In your book you write about a number of Tudor women, including Elizabeth of York, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. The Sixteenth century produced many remarkable women; do you have a favourite?
It’s so hard to choose just one. My interest was sparked as a teenager by the fate of Anne Boleyn- it’s so dramatic and appeals on so many levels. Anne was such a modern soul and suffered such a terrible fate in such a short space of time, that it’s impossible not to be moved by her. As I’ve got older, though, I’ve become increasingly sympathetic towards Catherine of Aragon. Writing about her hopes for motherhood and the string of miscarriages she suffered was really heart-breaking. Henry was so unbelievably cruel towards her and Mary yet she stood her ground. She fascinates me- sometimes I think she was very brave but at other times, I wonder whether it was her stubbornness that determined the fates of herself and her daughter and initiated the Reformation. She was prepared for herself and Mary to almost become martyrs to their cause. Just think how different things would have been if she had agreed to step aside in 1528.
Just how common was it for women in the sixteenth century to die in childbirth or from postpartum complications?
Not as common as we might assume, providing everything went smoothly. It has been estimated that there was around a 1-2% chance of maternal deaths per birth, although this increased with the more children a woman bore. The real dangers came when there were complications like breech births and women with small pelvises, when midwives just didn’t have much of a chance to do anything. There were no forceps, pain relief or caesarians. It was a question of push and pray, quite literally. If a woman survived the delivery, there was the greater risk of infection which carried off many, including Elizabeth of York, Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr. Basic errors of hygiene resulted in many unnecessary deaths as they didn’t understand things like germs, clean water and handwashing. Often it seemed like a mother was out of danger, a week or so after the birth, before the symptoms of something fatal could set in. By then it was too late.
We often hear about noble women ‘taking to their chambers’ for the lying in period. What did this process involve?
It was a complete seclusion from the world, a retreat into womb-like safety where the baby could be delivered. A chamber was prepared in advance, hung with tapestries and filled with all the equipment a woman needed- bed linen, clothes, religious artifacts etc. The windows would be covered, the key hole stopped up and a big fire kept burning, even in summer. A mother would enter it about a month before her due date, accompanied by her women. No men were allowed. After that, she would not emerge until about a month after the baby arrived. It must have been very boring, just sitting waiting but it gave her a chance to recover and all her female friends and relations would have rallied around. Some of the recorded celebrations after a child had been safely delivered became quite riotous, with women running up bills by ordering in food and drink, which the husbands then had to pay! The mother could later receive visitors but only came out to be churched, after which everything went back to normal. Needless to say, this was the case for noble women but the poor had to deliver their children wherever they could, by roadsides and in barns and fields!
Did Tudor midwives receive any formal training?
No. They learned on the job. There was no official discipline of midwifery and in England, male doctors and surgeons, who were trained from 1518 onwards in the Royal College of Physicians, were very suspicious of them. Most midwives held the position informally, with their reputations passed on through an oral network of women. Later in the century, manuals listed their desirable qualities, such as small hands, patience and strength etc. Most importantly, they were supposed to be of good character and their personal morality was valued more than their abilities. This was partly because they were often called on to give evidence in court about illegitimate births. The church tried to restrict their more superstitious activities but it wasn’t until 1567 that the first formal oath was sworn by a midwife. I imagine that most towns and villages had a few well known “wise women” who would be called upon in the event of emergency- otherwise women had to make do with whoever was there!
What is the most interesting or peculiar fact you’ve learnt about the Tudors in your research?
I unearthed some truly terrifying remedies and recipes for women in childbirth. Most were just harmless herbal mixtures but cases where women tried to close up the neck of their womb with wax, as a form of contraception, filled me with horror. I really enjoyed including recipes for various ailments, from an Elizabethan manuscript that is in the possession of my family. Some of the ingredients were bizarre, like unicorn’s horn, frankincense and myrrh and a few of them had “probatum” written by them, meaning the writer had tried and tested them.
I love walking in the footsteps of the Tudors and visiting historic sites with a Tudor connection. Do you have a favourite Tudor location?
I do love Hampton Court. I went to University quite nearby and there was a bus that took me almost door to door, so I was a frequent visitor. I went there once early one January in the snow and it was practically deserted. A robin sat on the royal coat of arms outside the chapel and sang to me as dusk fell- it was magical.
Are you presently working on any Tudor books?
I’ve just finished a biography of Elizabeth of York, which I’ll be submitting to the publishers this week. I’ve really enjoyed going further back into the fifteenth century and researching her fluctuating fortunes through the Wars of the Roses. The book explores her roles as a mother and wife, as well as contemporary ideals of queenship. After that I’m turning my attention to Anne Neville, wife of Richard III. It’ll be interesting trying to consider her feelings about the controversial Richard; whether she believed him capable of killing the Princes in the Tower and exploring the rumours that he had her murdered. She was only in her late 20s when she died but she packed so much into that short space of time.
If you had the power to change the past and re-write Tudor history, which event would you choose to change?
I would love to see a parallel history where Prince Arthur survived. As Henry’s elder brother and first husband of Catherine of Aragon, he died in 1502 at the age of 16. I would love to see what would have happened if he had lived and fathered a brood of children of his own. What would Henry VIII have done instead? Entered the church? I know it means pushing aside one of our most charismatic monarchs but I can’t help wondering what sort of a king Arthur would have made and the effect it would have had on England. We’d probably still be a Catholic country!
Visit Amy’s blog here.
Can’t wait to read this book!! I’ve been trying to get a copy here in the US.
That sounds like an incredibly interesting, especially considering the usual attitude towards the subject. The book also seems to cover a wide range of areas of the subject. Sounds like something I would find INCREDIBLY interesting to read!
This book sounds so fascinating! I just love the Tudors and getting to peek into this intimate part of their lives is one of a kind. Also, I love the author’s wish to be able to see how history would have changed if Arthur had lived….now THAT would make an interesting fiction book as well :). Thanks for the chance to try and win a copy!
Sounds like an interesting book – I’d definitely like to read it. Will it be available in the US or via B&N for the Nook?
I really would love this book!! I hope I win!
Very interesting, can’t wait to add it to my must read list!
I am so eager to read this! Sounds absolutely amazing and intriguing!
Absolutely captivating! I would love to read this book & I look forward to your future writings!!!
This is a fantastic approach for a Tudor history book; The 16th century/Tudor England was a fascinating time for women, which is one of the many reasons why I love to study it!
I am very much looking forward to reading this book; It sounds like Ms. Licence is covering every notable Tudor in the bedroom, a topic that must have been hard to research with some, and very easy with others! 🙂
I am specifically interested to see what stance Ms. Licence takes on Elizabeth I’s sex life. The “was she or wasn’t she?” debate on Elizabeth’s virginity has been discussed since the scandal involving her and Thomas Seymour.
SEMPER EADEM,
Ashlie Jensen of “BeingBess”
http://beingbess.blogspot.com
“BeingBess” is dedicated to celebrating the life of Elizabeth Tudor (1533-1603) and the legacy of her reign as Queen of England (1558-1603).
I would love to read more about what childbearing was like in those days. I am always on the lookout for more Tudor books to read
jpratt397@gmail.com
The standard midwife’s companion would indeed make a fascinating read if coupled with an in-depth study of the nature of childbirth and afflictions peculiar to women as they were treated in Tudor times. Amy Licence’s comment about the possibility of a “King Arthur’s” reign would definitely have changed the map of English politics, the economy, and the life of Henry VIII. I can’t wait to read about recipes and remedies for Tudor afflictions, and find that such concoctions always reflect the superstitions and chemistry of the times. Sounds like it’s going to be a very enteraining read!
I enjoyed the interview and can’t wait to devour the book!!! Thanks Natalie, I appreciate all the information and resources.
This book looks fascinating! I am a medical scientist and therefore I find medical history very interesting. Hoping it might be available on Kindle soon…..my bookshelves (and husband) and groaning!
This sounds like a fantastic book and one that I definitely want for my collection.
Bonnie
blmalmat@bellsouth.net
I absolutely LOVE that you are writing such lovely books! My daughter and I are Anglophiles and are so excited about this book. Thank you for doing this.
Regards,
Melissa
Sounds fascinating. I love reading about the more unusual areas of women’s history so I’ll look forward to this.
wow what an awesome topic, the tudor times were full of sex, drugs (well maybe) the only thing missing was the rock and roll
I have my copy of ‘In Bed with the Tudors’ and it does make fascinating reading! I love the little tale of the robin sitting singing on the coat of arms. I wonder what fortune Tudor ‘old wives tales’ would have made of that? Keep writing Amy Licence!
I Love it when someone writes a book about a part of the the Tudor era that no one has really addressed before and Amys book sounds as though it does this. When you read Tudor books, childbirth and sex is hardly ever mention in any depth and yet they changes everything in womens lives. I have just been reading Linda Porters book on Katherine Parr and could help but think of Katherines life while reading your interview. I was also ‘hooked’ by the thought of Arthur going on to be King. Earlier this year I visited Ludlow and Worcester and felt there was a lot more to him and wished he had lived too! I will look forward to reading your book it is on my list !
I would love to read this book!! This book sounds so fascinating!
Great to read the interview! Look forward to the book 🙂
Great interview! Can’t wait for the book. I, too, fell in love with Jean Plaidy and when someone compared my book to hers, I was elated–still am!
I am just about to finish “Elizabeths Women” by Tracy Borman and would really love to read “In bed with the Tudors”. I just can’t seem to get enough history about them or the time period… thank you for the giveaway!
Wonderful interview. I can’t even imagine the laying in process, I’d have gone mad ! Thank God times have changed for the better and we have learned so much more about contraceptives and such. I can’t wait to read more of what is in this book. It sounds like some really eye opening stuff! I think all Tudor enthusiasts try and imagine what it would have been like as a woman back then. Brilliant idea for this book! I wish you the best of luck with this, and the next ones.
Fascinating topic! – what an unusual approach to Tudor politics. Funny to think that so much of history hinges on the bedroom rather than the boardroom. I’ll be interested to hear her take on Mary’s phantom pregnancies, as well as an assessment of the Virgin (?) Queen!
sounds extremely interesting and would love to read it. This is truely my favorit time in history.
This has got to be ‘The’ book to read this year, for me anyway, it will certainly jump the queue of ones to get, and the ones I’ve got but yet to read…I am amazed that there was enough written from the past for you reseach this aspect of Tudor life, well done in finding it all and putting it together in a book for us to enjoy.
Great interview too.
I could definetely do with a book like this one. Wish I had it. I love rediscovering history all the time from different angles.
Interesting interview. Would love to read this book. I too have often wondered what would have happened had Arthur lived. Really enjoy reading about the Tudor`s.
Thx 4 the chance!!
Great article. I also.wonder how katherine felt after losing all those babies. I also wonder what would henry of done if arthur would of lived . Keep up the good work Natalie!
I look forward to reading this fascinating book. I wish we had more information about many of the everyday happenings of life during those ancient times! Often the exceptional was recorded well but not always the mundane.
Sounds like an interesting book. Can’t wait for it’
A titillating title! Caught my interest immediately. On my must read list.
I would love to win this book..I have often wondered how I would have fared way back then, my first birthing was pretty bad and I think I would have been one of those who didn’t make it..Thank god for modern medicine which helped me with my first born, a boy…I then continued to go on and have another 4 healthy boys..This brings me to another question..If I were Queen and managed to have 5 healthy boys how wonderful would my life have been. LOL
I really enjoyed the article and will definitely read the book. It is fascinating how the childbirth experience has changed so much in terms of medical procedures and practices but each labor and delivery is still unique. It is sad that basic handwashing could have made such a difference for the health and survival of the mother and baby.
I wanna know so much more please dont ever stop your site i dont know what i would do
I have always been fascinated with Knights and Medieval history. I was only a young teen, when I saw the Public Broadcasting series of King Henry VIII’s Wives. The powerful and tragic true stories, compelled me to learn more. Little did I know then, that Queen Anne Boleyn was my distant cousin. Her story especially saddened me. Anne was such a beautiful and spirited woman, who truly believed Henry loved her. Did not all his wives believe that he loved them? How each one must have feared as childbirth neared that he could betray them too if a living heir to the throne was not produced. Such a cruel time to be a beautiful English woman of nobility.
Looks like a very interesting read, can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Interesting book that I would love to add to my Tudor collection. Wonderful interview as well.
Great book to my collection! I want to read everything about
tudor dynasty. Births of
children in xvi century is very curious
case . I think, that this book will
show as women lived in this times.
magdalenamakowka@wp.pl
Thanks for a great interview Natalie and Amy.
Amy I confess I feel exactly the same way about Katherine of Aragon. I have swung between not understanding her at all and not sympathising with her so much to feeling terribly sorry for her and admiring her strength. She was a fascinating woman, and I do wonder what would happen if she had stepped aside. I also often wonder how history would have changed if all of Katherine’s children had lived.
In any case another book on Tudor women is a wonderful idea. The book sounds absolutely fascinating, I will be adding that one to my wishlist.
I can’t wait to add this book to my collection. I’m a newbie to the Tudor era and I’m soaking up everything I can get my hands on! The interview was very informative and I learned a few things that surprised me too.
Looks very interesting. Thanks for another great article!
I am so looking forward to reading this book! I cannot wait! What a grand interview! So interesting!
I adore Jean Plaidy!! I began her Kings of England series two and a half years ago with William the Conqueror and I’m currently reading about George I. There are SO many books on my must-read list – your book has definitely been added! I can’t wait to visit Hampton Court, not to mention the other Royal Palaces. Thanks! 🙂
Sounds like a brilliant read!
What!? Laying in? Wax seals? Dear Lord, I need to read this book STAT. Great Interview! I’m jealous!
I love the tudors, I am a re enactor and looking at history from lots of different peoples points of view is wonderful. Shortly after i had my 2 children i started looking into childbirth, midwives and cesareans in the middle ages and tudor period. To add to my collection would be wonderful. This book will be a must for me.
So excited to read the new tudor book !!!
I really would love this book!! I hope I win!