ABOVE: Details of Mary (left) and Elizabeth (right) from ‘The Family of Henry VIII’ by an unknown artist, c.1545 I have spoken on this page …
MARY’S BALLAD ON ELIZABETH
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ANNE BOLEYN’S JEWELLERY
Henry VIII had lavished Anne Boleyn with jewels, gifting her many exquisite pieces during their courtship and marriage. In addition, Anne had demanded, and received, the jewels of Katherine of Aragon. We only know what happened to a portion of Anne’s jewellery collection; what happened to the rest remains a mystery.
A letter from one of Henry’s European ambassadors indicates that Mary received a large portion of Anne Boleyn’s jewellery; an entry in ‘Letters and Papers’ summarises a letter sent from Mr Pate, ambassador, to Henry VIII on the 1st July, 1536; the entry states:
EDWARD VI AND ELIZABETH I BIBLICAL ARTISTIC ADDITIONS
ABOVE: Portrait of Lady Elizabeth by an unknown artist, c.1555Portrait of Edward VI by William Scrots, c.1550 Amongst the many treasures the British Library holds, …
PHILIP OF SPAIN ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE, QUEEN MARY I OF ENGLAND
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
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:
WHAT’S IN A NAME: REFORMATION IN HISTORY
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.’
THE FACE OF A YOUNG HENRY VIII?
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
THE FASHION OF JANE SEYMOUR’S LADIES
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’S HARPIST – BLYND DYK
‘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’S FATHERLY WORRIES FOR PRINCESS MARGARET TUDOR
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.
