Happy New Year (and a quick update)

I would like to wish everyone a happy 2008 (still 11 hours to go here in Texas, but I know some of you have already changed calendars on the other side of the planet!)!

I have some updates and blog posts to make that were *supposed* to be done over the break, but my laptop died right after arriving in Alabama and then my boyfriend and I got really sick (I got the better end of the deal... he ended up with pneumonia, I just had a really bad cold). We made it back to Texas a couple of days ago but we're both still recovering. And the laptop is a couple of days away from getting fixed, so I probably won't be making any more posts until that is back up and running. I have back-ups of everything, but I like to keep my most up-to-date copies of everything in one place so I don't get things mixed up. I usually have everything on my thumbdrive, but of course, I copied it all to the laptop shortly before it died so I wouldn't have to worry about losing the thumddrive on the trip. Oh well! I'm guessing everything will be back up and running and as close to normal as they ever get the first full week in January.

I have all the query submissions that have come in and will be posting them in the next few days, not to worry! Thanks for everyone's patience in this, I really appreciate it.

Happy New Year!

Traveling for Christmas

I'll be on the road most of the day tomorrow and then visiting with friends and family for a while, so updates may be sparse and slow. So, if I don't get a chance to post again until the new year, I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season, no matter what you celebrate this time of year! Here's to a great 2008!

Question from Jeniann - Pierced ears

I haven't been able to find info on this anywhere! Did Tudor women pierce their ears? I know in most movies you see pierced ears, but I always figured that was because the actress had one. I'd imagine they had earrings of some kind, and in one portrait of Elizabeth I (Rainbow) you can see a pair that don't look like clip-ons. Does anyone know anything else about this?

Question from Kim - Canes or walking sticks at court

What was the custom regarding the use of canes or walking sticks within Queen Elizabeth's court? In particular, would Francis Walsingham be permitted to use such an aparatus?

Question from Lis - Black cloth or ribbon on portraits

I have come across a couple of portraits (and have heard of more) where the sitter is portrayed wearing a piece of black cloth or ribbon tied around the upper arm. Was this a sign that the wearer was in mourning - similar to the black arm bands worn in later times and even up to the present day. If it was not a sign of mourning, does anyone know what it was? Many thanks.

Question from Raquel - More info on Kathryn Howard

I am very interested in Kathryn Howard the fifth wife of Henry. Her pictures were destroyed from what I gather as well as some not being sure if the main photo used, as her, is truly her. I want to find descriptions of her looks and presence. I have found some words on both Anne’s and so on, but no good visions of her. I heard she was fair, possible the fairest of his wives but no mention of the color of her hair and eyes and so on. Also, why is birth date and place so confusing? Do you think this information was loss to Henry's anger with her? For some reason she is my favorite and I would love to know as much I can about her.

Question from Jane - Henry VIII's influence on politics

Hi everyone:)

I'm sitting here in Denmark, writing my final high school assignment in history and english class, about the time in england around Henry VIII.
I need to write about the politics in Brittain in the 1530'ies and how Henry had an influence in it, but I simply can't find anything. I need something that includes original texts, and I found that there were lot to find around the 1590'ies, but nearly nothing about the 1530'ies. I'm looking for reliable websites about the subject, and I would be very thankfull if anyone has a great link, which can enlighten me to the 1530'ies politics in England. I have allready dealt with subjects such as the reformation and the enclsure of sheeps.

I wish you all a nice warm christmas:)

Question from Jackie - Tudor lineage

My cousin's husband claims he is a direct descendant of the Tudor lineage. He claims he can trace his family tree all the way back to Queen Elizabeth. Considering she was the "Virgin Queen" how is this possible? His mother's maiden name is Tudor. I thought the Tudor line ended with Elizabeth. I know there was at least one bastard recognized male child of Henry VIII but I thought he died young without any heirs. Is this possible?