It is well known that in 1550, Mary almost went through with a plan to flee England into the welcoming, Catholic embrace of Charles V …
MARY’S PLANNED FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND
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EDWARD VI AS A BABY: A MEETING
On 5th November, 1545, Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, wrote a letter from Bruges, where he was on a diplomatic mission, to the Secretary of …
KATHERINE OF ARAGON’S POMEGRANATE EMBLEM
As a daughter of Spain, Katherine of Aragon’s personal emblem was the pomegranate. The fruit had strong ties with motherhood, Christianity, and the Virgin Mary, …
MARY & CATHERINE HOWARD
It is well-known that the relationship between Mary and her fourth stepmother, Catherine Howard, was tense. Their relationship was the opposite of the warm affection …
A POEM ON MARY I’S LADIES
There is a curious poem, written at some point between 1553 and 1555, about eight ladies who served Mary I. The poem is signed R.E., …
THE EMPEROR’S INSTRUCTIONS TO EUSTACE CHAPUYS
On the 25th June, 1529, Emperor Charles V appointed Eustace Chapuys, a lawyer and diplomat from Savoy, as his ambassador to England. When Chapuys arrived …
THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH OF YORK
The 11th of February commemorates both Elizabeth of York’s birth in 1466, and tragic death in 1503. She is remembered as the daughter of Edward …
HENRY FITZROY’S LETTER TO HIS FATHER, HENRY VIII
At the end of January, 1528, an 8 year old Henry FitzRoy, already duke of Richmond, wrote this lovely letter to Henry VIII, seeking his …
THE CORONATION OF ELIZABETH I
On This Day in 1559, Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England. Elizabeth’s coronation was a magnificent occasion, and volumes could and have been written …
FRANCIS WESTON’S LAST LETTER
On the 13th May, 1536, Sir Francis Weston wrote a final letter to those closest to his heart: his parents, Sir Richard Weston and Anne …
