Sunday, January 30, 2011

Question from Diane - Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves during his marriage to Kathryn Howard

Hi!
I'm checking out The Tudors season 4 since I've been quite interest in the topic. In this season, is shown how Henry while married to Kathryn Howard return to Anne of Cleves' bed. I wonder if there is some sort of prouf on the subject, or, is it one of the more historical "arrangements" to spice up the series?

Thanks

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Question from Marilyn R - "Treacle and water imperial" treatment

I am still plodding on with my research on Agnes Tilney, Katheryn Howard's step-grandmother, which i have mentioned before on this blog.

In 1528 she met Cardinal Wolsey’s servant, one Forest, and was pleased to learn his master was well, although some of his servants had been very poorly. The area was in the grip of the dreadful sweating sickness and in a letter later on the Duchess offered to minister to Wolsey should he fall ill. She had daily experience of such matters, she said, and was so successful in her cures that her neighbours would send to her “and if they be sick at heart I give them treacle and water imperial..."

Can anyone elaborate on what this concoction actually was?

Thank you

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question from Hilary - Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Westminster Abbey

Where were Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII married? I know they took their initial vows in secret, but surely there was also some sort of public event afterwards? If so, where did that occur?

Also, was Anne coronated inside Westminster Abbey? It always seems that when reading about her coronation, only the procession through the town is discussed.

On what other occasions would have Henry VIII and/or Anne Boleyn gone into Westminster Abbey?

Thank you!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Question from Taryn - Fashion of Henry VIII's reign

Hi all, I'm a bit of a historical fashion buff and I have a two part question, and I'm sorry that it's so long:

First, does anyone know of any good books that detail the fashions (both male and female) of the reign of Henry VIII? I'm particularly interested in somehting that can contrast the differences in male fashion of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and the marriage of Catherine Parr full on until his death, but anything on women's fashion and sumptuary laws would be amazing.

Second, I would like to know if modern day mediums (such as the Showtime series and other fiction books I've read) are correct in that for the sake of masques and other costumed affairs that normal propriety could be shirked and men and women could be seen in very little (for the time). I realize fiction is never a good place for historical fact, but I am curious as to whether it would have been possible for a woman to go without a chemise underneath of her bodice for the sake of costume!

Thank you all very much for your time.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Question from Livingston - Choice of Darnley's residence at Kirk o' Field

In February 1567 the ailing Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, was returned to Edinburgh from Glasgow to convalesce for a short period at Kirk o'Field before reconciling and residing with Mary and their 7-month old son at Holyrood Palace. Within days of Darnley's installation at the house at Kirk o'Fields it was blown-up with gunpowder. Just prior to the explosion Darnley was caught escaping the house and immediately stabbed to death by an unknown.

Darnley was a hated man among his peers and known to be in grave danger on return to Edinburgh. My question is why Edinburgh Castle was not considered as a place for his recovery and was this question ever considered by contemporaries or later historians? Mary after all had chosen the safety of the Castle for delivery of her baby only months before.