Tudor - Tudor Treasures & Medieval Musings

PHILIP OF SPAIN ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE, QUEEN MARY I OF ENGLAND

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 10/12/202210/12/2022

When Mary I died on the 17th November, 1558, she was genuinely mourned by many of her closest ladies and courtiers. The response from her own husband, however, was rather tepid. Philip of Spain and Mary had been somewhat estranged for around a year when she passed away; though Mary was devoted to her husband, he viewed Mary and England as a means to defeat France. Still, it was a very cool response to the death of a woman he had been married to for almost 4 years, and had known, through letters and diplomacy, for most of his life.

ANNE OF CLEVES & CATHERINE HOWARD

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 12/01/202309/12/2022

On the 3rd of January, 1541, less than six months after the annulment of her marriage to Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves travelled from her palace at Richmond to Hampton Court in order to personally deliver her New Years gifts to her ex-husband and his new, pretty wife, Catherine Howard.

Though Chapuys was generally hostile to Anne due to religious and political differences, his admiration for the former queen’s behaviour upon meeting her former lady-in-waiting and replacement is evident:

Tudor

WHAT’S IN A NAME: REFORMATION IN HISTORY

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 07/12/202207/12/2022

The first use in the English language of ‘reformation’ to specifically refer to the religious reform movement beginning in the sixteenth century was in 1531 by William Barlow, bishop of Chichester, a supporter of the Reformation, who wrote: ‘Martyn Luther was iugged to be syngulerly chosen of god…for a dew reformacion of the hole worlde.’

Henry VIII Tudor

THE FACE OF A YOUNG HENRY VIII?

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 07/12/202207/12/2022

This bust, which has been in the Royal Collection since its creation, has been identified as a young Henry VIII. Analysis of the style and dating of the paint has revealed that it was created c.1498, when Henry would have been only 7 years old

Anne Boleyn Henry VIII Jane Seymour Tudor

THE FASHION OF JANE SEYMOUR’S LADIES

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 07/12/202207/12/2022

Above: Portrait Jane Seymour by Hans Holbein the Younger, c.1536-37Jane is portrayed here wearing the English gable hood she also insisted her ladies wear Both …

Henry VIII Tudor

HENRY VIII’S HARPIST – BLYND DYK

by Jessica Carey-Bunning 07/12/202207/12/2022

‘Blynd Dyk’ was an harpist at Henry VIII’s court. Very little is known about this man, other than he was an harpist who began serving at Henry VIII’s court some time prior to 1511, and ended his employment in September, 1516. From his name, we can surmise that he was blind and that his Christian name was Richard. Here is a summary of his appearances in Henry VIII’s accounts:

Henry VII Tudor

HENRY VII’S FATHERLY WORRIES FOR PRINCESS MARGARET TUDOR

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 06/12/202206/12/2022

Henry VII was also worried about his daughter, Margaret Tudor, marrying James IV of Scotland too young; it was not just the concerns of his wife, Elizabeth of York, and mother, Margaret Beaufort, that made him hesitate and delay.

Henry VIII Jane Seymour Tudor

A MYSTERIOUS TUDOR RING

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 06/12/202205/12/2022

‘Lady Sussex desires you to return her the ring she sent you with a wreath of gold, for it is the Queen of Hungary’s, “who would not lose it for a king’s ransom, but maketh much ado for it. The owner is kin to my lady Pawlet. Mrs. Polle knoweth who oweth it.’

Henry VII Tudor

DATES, ATTITUDES, AND HENRY VII

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 06/12/202205/12/2022

There are only two letters amongst the Paston collection which were written within a year of Richard III’s death and Henry VII’s victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field on the 22nd of August, 1485. The beginning of a new regime is acknowledged in both of these letters; in the sign-off, both authors state that they were written in the first year of Henry VII’s reign.

Anne Boleyn Henry VIII Tudor

ANNE BOLEYN’S CLOCK

by Jessica Carey-BunningUpdated on 06/12/202205/12/2022

The Royal Collection Trust holds the Anne Boleyn Clock. Its value goes far beyond its ornate decoration and fine craftsmanship; it is believed to have been a wedding-day present from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn.