Recent Posts
Miniature Whistle Pendant and Anne Boleyn
By family tradition, Henry VIII’s first gift to Anne Boleyn was a gold and enamel ‘pendant in the form of a pistol, chased with scrolling foliage’ (Starkey, 1991, p. 115). A snake is entwined around the barrel and it contains ‘a set of tooth and ear picks, with spear, scythe and spatula shaped blades’ (Starkey, 2003, p.11). The whistles were designed like pieces of jewellery and used to summon servants and hounds (Starkey, 2003, p.11). In this portrait of Nicholas Bacon we see him wearing … [Read More...]
Anne Boleyn’s Letter to Stephen Gardiner
This letter was written by Anne Boleyn on 4 April 1529 and is important because not many of Anne’s letters from the period of the divorce survive and, furthermore, it demonstrates the personal interest Anne took in the divorce proceedings. Stephen Gardiner was sent to Pope Clement VII on a number of occasions to try and persuade him to grant Henry VIII’s wish and annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. His missions though proved disappointing, as he was never able to persuade the Pope to … [Read More...]
Boleyn Festival Blickling & Queen Katherine Parr Quincentenary
What a great year for Tudor enthusiasts living in England! The Boleyn Blickling Festival will run from the 17th-20th May 2012 and promises to be 'a feast of all things Anne Boleyn'. Historians, novelists, costumiers and musicians will all come together to celebrate the life of Queen Anne Boleyn, who most of today's historians (the debate about her year of birth has raged for centuries!) believe was born at Blickling. Confirmed speakers include Eric Ives, Alison Weir, Suzannah Dunn, Sarah … [Read More...]
Anne Boleyn’s Final Miscarriage
On the 29 January 1536, Anne Boleyn miscarried. The details appear in Chapuys’ dispatch to Charles V dated February 10: ‘On the day of the interment the Concubine had an abortion which seemed to be a male child which she had not borne 3½ months, at which the King has shown great distress. The said concubine wished to lay the blame on the duke of Norfolk, whom she hates, saying he frightened her by bringing the news of the fall the King had six days before. But it is well known that is not … [Read More...]
The French miniatures of 1526
Today's post is a guest article by Dr Glenn Richardson. It is a work in progress and Dr Richardson would very much appreciate any comments or contributions that may assist with his research. The French miniatures of 1526 and a painter from the French court in England in 1522 – work in progress By Glenn Richardson The 1526 gifts As cordial relations between England and France revived after the war of 1523-25, so did the cultural competition between Francis I and Henry VIII.[i] … [Read More...]
Richard III and the North of England
Today's post is a guest article by Robert Fripp, author of Dark Sovereign. Find out more about Robert and his extraordinary play about Richard III by reading our interview here. Richard III and the North of England By Robert Fripp Through the medieval period and into the early Tudor years it was common practice for a noble family to send a seven- or eight-year-old son away to receive military training in another, kindred household. The boy who would grow up to become Richard III was … [Read More...]
Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel is the sequel to the Man Booker Prize winning Wolf Hall. I am really looking forward to reading this but unfortunately we all have to wait a little longer. Australian release date: 01 May 2012 UK release date:10 May 2012 For now you can enjoy the synopsis! ‘My boy Thomas, give him a dirty look and he’ll gouge your eye out. Trip him, and he’ll cut off your leg,’ says Walter Cromwell in the year 1500. ‘But if you don’t cut across him he’s a very … [Read More...]
Interview with Robert Fripp
I am delighted to share with you my interview with author and copywriter Robert Fripp who has written a modern play in the English language as it was available to William Shakespeare. The play, Dark Sovereign, took Fripp four years to write and is a 'counter-attack' on Shakespeare's play about Richard III. It is written in the vocabulary, idioms and syntax in written use between about 1579 to 1626 and has been described as, 'a cultural accomplishment of the highest order.' I thank … [Read More...]
Katharine of Aragon Festival 2012
On this day in 1536, Catherine of Aragon died at Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire. Read in more detail about her death here and about Anne Boleyn's reaction to the news here. Each year Peterborough Cathedral commemorates the life of Catherine of Aragon by hosting a festival and service. This year the festival will be held over the weekend of the 27th-29th of January and will include worship, fun Tudor activities for kids and history events for adults. This year the talk will be on Henry … [Read More...]
Tudors buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London
A plaque in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London names those ‘Buried in this Chapel’ – among them are many Tudors. 1535 – John Fisher Bishop of Rochester Executed on Tower Hill 22 June 1535 1535 – Sir Thomas More Executed on Tower Hill 6 July 1535 1536 – George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford Executed on Tower Hill 17 May 1536 1536 – Queen Anne Boleyn Executed on Tower Green May 19 1536 1540 – Thomas Cromwell, Earl of … [Read More...]
Tudor Tombs and Burials
I have just added a new resource to the website called 'Tudor Tombs and Burials'. In this section I have documented the final resting place of the Tudor monarchs, Henry VIII's wives and other notable Tudor personalities. I have included photos of the tombs where permissible and welcome any photos that you might have in your collection, along with suggestions for additional entries. As well as being fascinated by visiting locations where the Tudors went about their daily business, I am … [Read More...]
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