Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Question from kb - Elizabeth Trevanion Carey, Baroness Carey, Countess Of Monmouth

Hi All,

I am looking for any stray information about Elizabeth Trevanion Carey, Baroness Carey, Countess Of Monmouth. I have the memoirs of Robert Carey, her husband and the entry on Kate Meerson's site. Anything else anyone can contribute would be helpful including birth/death dates, reception in the Jacobean Court, her nature or character, etc.

Thank you so much,
kb

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Question from Annabel - Rural life in 1520s

I'm writing a novel set in the 1520s: to be specific, it's set in rural England between March 1526 and September 1527, and has virtually nothing to do with either court, the monarchy, or the Reformation. Instead, it features the gentry and a supernatural love affair: Jane Austen, but set three hundred years back! And with vampires! (I'm really making it sound very coherent, aren't I?)

Unfortunately, as you can imagine, this has made doing research somewhat difficult. If I can find books with a more anthropological bent, they seem to mainly describe life at court and the romance between Henry and Anne, which is interesting, but not what I need.

I know that while writing it I'll have far more questions than I would feel comfortable bothering you with, so my question is this: can you recommend some books or websites for me to find more information? I'd be interested particularly in things like etiquette, how courtship was conducted, where/when people would have socialised with one another, and a typical day for a young member of the gentry living deep in the country (getting up times, how they filled the hours, etc). Daily life, essentially, for the large number of people in the sixteenth century who were not Henry VIII.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Annabel

Monday, May 19, 2014

Question from Collin - Henry Fitzroy and royal bastards

I am working on a paper for school and I have to argue why Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of King Henry VIII, should have been king. There is not a lot written about him. Any suggestions?

Are there are instances when bastards became king?

Thanks for your help.

Collin

[Previous related thread linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/04/question-from-michelle-henry-fitzroy.html

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Question from shtove - Verification of MacDonnell quote

Verifying quote: "My Son Hath Many Heads"

The Scottish warlord Sorley Boy MacDonnell was brought to Dublin in 1586 to negotiate a peace settlement with Elizabeth I's government.

An official pointed to the severed head of MacDonnell's son, nailed above the gateway of Dublin Castle. MacDonnell said: "My Son Hath Many Heads".

It's in the old DNB, but I can't trace the quote back to its root, so I'm hoping for assistance.

I tried Clan Donald resources, but my best effort is a history from the 1870s (p.187): "The grief-stricken old man, groaning in spirit, proudly replied My son hath many heads! The knowledge of this striking incident is preserved in a Macdonnell manuscript"

https://archive.org/stream/historicalaccoun00hill#page/187/mode/1up

Monday, May 12, 2014

Question from Nyele - Kat Ashley and Thomas Seymour

Was Kat Ashley in love whit Thomas Seymour? You can read on wikipedia:

One must understand that the deposition of Kat Ashley, which incorporates the queen joining her husband in his escapades, was given after Ashley was arrested, put in the Tower, and threatened to be tortured unless she confessed what she knew about Seymour and Elizabeth's relationship.At the time of the deposition, Catherine had died and Seymour had been arrested for another attempt at marrying Lady Elizabeth. It must be mentioned though, that throughout her time at Chelsea, Ashley developed a crush on Seymour and actually encouraged her charge to "play along." At one point she even made a comment of how lucky Elizabeth would have been to have a husband like Seymour.'

It quotes David Starkey, but I can't find more information than this.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Question from Danielle - Symbols and propaganda in Elizabethan portraiture

Hi There :)

I was just wondering if anyone had any information of the hidden symbols and propaganda in Elizabethan portraiture.

I don't just mean the crowns or the tudor roses, the sunshine in the background etc I mean the really hidden ones.

I'm particularly interested in Elizabeth's courtiers and ladies in waiting, such as Bess of Hardwick etc.

I'd be grateful for any information on books to look through, websites with information or just general information.

Thanks in advance :) x

Friday, May 02, 2014

Question from Anonymous - Lady Susan Bowes (or Bowser)

Hi,I am reading an online book about queen Elizabeth`s maids of honor and I could not find anything about lady Susan Bowes/Bowser (maid from1576 to 1578).
Please help me.Thank you.