Question from Alix - Birth year of Edward Seymour (son of the Duke of Somerset)

I have a question about Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, the husband of Katherine Grey. I was wondering if anyone knew what year he was born in. I've been reading a bunch of different books and websites and I've been getting what seems like ten different answers and it's getting really confusing.
Does anyone have any solid facts on when he may have been born? Thanks.

Question from Mary - Henry VIII and Martin Luther

Hi, I want to know if Henry VIII and Luther ever met face to face or if their "relationship" was all trough written works. Thank you

Question from Emily - Historical accuracy of "I, Elizabeth"

Hello, great site!

I've looked all over, and no one seems to have addressed this on here, so I thought I'd go ahead...

My first real introduction to Tudor history was reading the book "I, Elizabeth" by Rosalind Miles years ago. Obviously, it's a work of fiction, and I know for a fact that there are invented episodes within it.

However, overall, what is your opinion on its historicity? I know several authors' works have been lambasted for taking too many liberties with history, but as far as I could see, this one seems to be pretty faithful to the historical narrative as we know it.

I was incredibly amused when I watched "Elizabeth R" and recognized a lot of the dialogue from reading "I, Elizabeth", and then found that quite a lot of the dialogue in both had been taken from contemporary accounts and/or letters.

Any thoughts, opinions?

Question from Tracey - Mary Queen of Scots' death warrant

The death warrant for Mary, Queen of Scots...does it still exist? And if so, is it ever on display?

Question from Sara - Who was Henry's heir between May 1536 and Oct. 1537

I do a lot of reading on the Tudors, and yesterday while I was reading "The Lady Elizabeth" by Alison Weir, there was a passage where Elizabeth told her father she wanted to be King and he got mad at her, and said that even though she was his heir, she wouldn't be King.

Now, this was after Anne Boleyn's execution, I think, and I wondered, after her mother's execution, was Elizabeth really the heir to the throne? Both her and Mary were named illegitimate and therefore unable to inherit the throne, and the only one left was Henry Fitzroy, who was also illegitimate.

So between the period of May 1536 to October 1537, who really was the heir? Elizabeth, despite her bastard status? Or did the Council just ignore the question and hope that Jane Seymour would have a child soon? I would appreciate any answers.

Question from Patricia - Elizabeth's progress in 1575

I am currently working on an article about Elizabeth's progress in 1575 to Kenilworth Castle and then to Woodstock. I am looking for any and all information at the moment. I have started very deep research and was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

I do know that Woodstock is now Blenheim Palace. I have also actually been to both Kenilworth and Blenheim Palace but I am still looking for more information.

Question from Elizabeth M - Children of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham

Can anyone tell me about the children of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham? In particular, I am asking about a woman named Margaret Stafford, who was executed in 1537 for treason. I have seen in some places she was the Duke's daughter, and thus a sister to the Duke of Norfolk's wife, Elizabeth Stafford Howard, but other places do not credit her as a daughter of the Duke. Does anyone know for sure?

Question from Liz - Celebrating birthdays

How did people in the Tudor/Elizabethan Eras celebrate birthdays? I would like to know about nobles and below, because I'm sure that the monarchs had elaborate celebrations. Would they have a cake with candles and singing?

Thanks everyone!

Question from Liz - The most "violent" of the Tudors

I was wondering who was the most "violent" of the Tudor monarchs? I know that Mary earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" but I know that Henry VIII put many people to death. I was wondering how many people were put to death during everyone's reign? I think that history has a negative view of Mary, but "The Queen's Fool" by Philippa Gregory presents another side of her. I was hoping that I could find statistics or contemporary opinions of each monarch's reign?

Thanks!

Question from Elianne - Early and Late Tudor Medicine

i am doing a school project and i am 9 years old so could you give me an appropriate answer for this question
what was the main difference between early and later tudor medicine.

Question from Sandra - "The Autobiography of Henry VIII"

In the book "The Autobioghaphy of Henry VIII" by Margaret George, his fool Will Somers says that he stole Henry's journal when he died, and upon Will's death he sent it to Catherine Carey to reveal who her real father was.

Is there any proof that Henry VIII really had a journal? And has any letters between Will and Catherine ever been confirmed?

I know there is alot of fiction out there, it does make for great entertainment, but I like to know the real truth.


You ALL are great, thanks for your help.

Question from Sandra - Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville

I am reading about how the Tudor period came into history, can anyone help explain things alittle better to me?
Why was Margaret Beaufort and Edmund Tudor believed to be such and odd pair and why was her son Henry taken and raised elsewhere?

Why was Elizabeth Woodville considered socially very much beneath Edward IV when they was married? She was a widowed queen in her own right.

Can anyone explain the relationship between Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville, why did Margaret need her help and what did Elizabeth do?

Thanks, I greatly appreciate the help!!!

Question from Jess - Follow-up to question on lawns and gardens

This is regarding a post that was submitted on 5/6/2008 about the gardens. the original question asked about maintaining, the response was a theory of animals, particularly sheep doing the "mowing". My question is if they were using animals to do the lawn work, would the "servants" really take the time to pick up after the sheep (i.e. droppings)? I can't envision the servants stopping to pick up droppings. And would this be done during the day? If this was done at night, it seems like messes would missed. Daylight doesn't seem to fit into to the lifestyle. Can you imagine the Royals strolling through while yard work is taking place? What a sight! :)

Question from Norman - Hampton Court

Does any one have any pictures of Tudor areas that are off limits to the public? I understand that there is quite a bit, such as the Baynes Tower.

Question from Elizabeth M - Another daughter of the Boleyns

I posted my question on the wrong page. But now I think I am in the right place. It is regarding the children of Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn. The Wikipedia entry for Elizabeth Boleyn says she and Thomas had SIX children--including a daughter who died young named Elizabeth. I have never before seen that Anne And Mary had a short-lived sister named Elizabeth. I knew about the brothers Thomas and henry who died young, but not Elizabeth. Any basis of fact in this?

Question from Juju - Pets of Elizabeth I

I was also wondering if Elizabeth I had any beloved pet?

Question from Juju - Descendants of Elizabeth Tudor

Are there any living decendants of Elizabeth Tudor? If so what are their names and does their ancestery still provide much status?

Questions from Lilly - Women's clothing and appearances

I have a few questions regarding what women wore and fashioned themselves after during this time period - for instance, I've heard the term "sables" used in reference to clothing, but I've no idea what "sables" are. Does anyone know what they are?

Also, French hoods were considered to be on the wanton side, correct? Generally speaking, did women, especially young women, show a preference toward either the English hood or the French hood?

Did women have to wear long sleeves all the time, even in the summer? And if they did, were the sleeves made of a lighter material or were they still heavy? I'd imagine they wouldn't wear short-sleeves.

I know that in the 1700s and Napoleonic period, women desired to look like Greek goddesses from mythology and their clothing was heavily influenced by the aforementioned; was the Tudor style influenced by anything like that?

Also, I've heard that since life expectancies and living conditions were worse back then the average height was smaller than it is today. Is this true, or just a myth?

And one more thing - was there a desired body-weight for women in Tudor England like there sort-of is today? Like, the commercialized stick-thin girl. Was there anything like that going on in Tudor Society?

Thanks, I hope these questions aren't too bizarre!

Question from Heathcliff - Despenser and Spencer families

I am wondering if the Spencer family which first enters English aristocracy in the 15th century ( or thereabouts?) is descended from the Hugh Despenser, or his relations, who played an integral part in the English court of EdwardII and Isabella?

Question from Colleen - Forms of address

Can anyone tell me (or give me a good source, as I'm sure it's long and involved) the forms of address for English nobility? I'm writing a novel and I'm not sure how my characters should be talking to and about each other. I'm especially interested in how people would address unmarried daughters of an earl. Thanks!

Question from Christen - Anne Boleyn's surviving possessions

Are any of Anne Boleyn's possessions still around today, and if so, is there a site online that I can go to to view them? I'm assuming her famous "B" necklace is lost, does anyone know what happened to it?

Christen

(The question of the fate of the "B" necklace has already been discussed here although I'd be happy to hear any additional information anyone has!)

Question from Krissy - More on replicas

Question from Krissy: Is there any replica toiletry boxes from the Tudor period I found this one of Anne Boleyn's and I would really like a replica here is the link to the picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11719266@N05/1970085886/

Question from Liz - Catherine of Aragon quotes

Hi again!

I am looking for quotes by Katherine of Aragon, especially in Spanish. I am hoping to find something short and inspirational to get tattooed. Please let me know if you can help me with this!

Thanks
Liz - NJ, USA

Free Oxford Dictionary of National Biography options

I posted a few days on the main site blog about the free Lives of the Week at the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and I should have posted it over here too. Don't know why I didn't think of it at the time! I got a nice comment from the person who runs the online ODNB who mentioned that a lot of the UK public libraries subscribe to the Dictionary and you might be able to access it online as well with your library card. Here's the link for the UK public library access. They also have a free reading room you all might find interesting.

I hope someone finds this helpful!

Question from Krissy - Looking for replica jewelry boxes

Where can I find replica jewelry boxes from the Tudor period? (namely a replica of a storage boxe of Anne Boleyn's)

Texts related to Anne Boleyn's execution

Just in case anyone comes looking for these after last night's finale of "The Tudors", I thought I would go ahead and post links to these on both of the blogs.

The first is an excerpt from Kingston's letter to Cromwell and the second is Anne's speech at the scaffold. Both are modernized spelling versions. I think I got them from "Eyewitness to History" or a similar book.