I am not sure how 'beloved' her pets were but she did have pets. There are records of the ladies-in-waiting being in charge of the animals that lived with the queen in the privy chamber. They included a parrot, a monkey a 'muske catt' and several lap dogs referred to as 'spanielles'.
If you're thinking of this portrait: http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/ermine.jpg then it's an ermine, not a weasel. As far as I know, it is only in the portrait symbolically as a symbol of royalty or nobility and she didn't really keep them as pets (especially since they were prized for their fur).
She might have had one. I have one, technically a little guest rather than a pet, which would be illegal. He killed every mouse in the house and now shares my supper (meat only), taking it delicately from the tip of my fork. They are very nice to live with, so it's very credible that Elizabeth might have enjoyed having one around too.
Yes, that is the portrait I was thinking of. And actually it is a weasel...Ermines are weasels. Weasels (or stoats) turn white in the winter, and are then referred to as ermines. It's usually only when they're ermines that people hunt them for their fur.
The wax figure of Elizabeth at Madame Tussaud's in London (based on the 'Ermine Portrait') actually has a stuffed ermine grasping onto her sleeve as in the painting.
Probably a little disconcerting to visitors who are unaware of the original portrait or symbolism! LOL
I am not sure how 'beloved' her pets were but she did have pets. There are records of the ladies-in-waiting being in charge of the animals that lived with the queen in the privy chamber. They included a parrot, a monkey a 'muske catt' and several lap dogs referred to as 'spanielles'.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a picture of Elizabeth I with a white weasel? I'm sure I saw one once. So I guess she had a pet weasel...
ReplyDeleteIf you're thinking of this portrait: http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/ermine.jpg
ReplyDeletethen it's an ermine, not a weasel. As far as I know, it is only in the portrait symbolically as a symbol of royalty or nobility and she didn't really keep them as pets (especially since they were prized for their fur).
She might have had one. I have one, technically a little guest rather than a pet, which would be illegal. He killed every mouse in the house and now shares my supper (meat only), taking it delicately from the tip of my fork. They are very nice to live with, so it's very credible that Elizabeth might have enjoyed having one around too.
DeleteYes, that is the portrait I was thinking of. And actually it is a weasel...Ermines are weasels. Weasels (or stoats) turn white in the winter, and are then referred to as ermines. It's usually only when they're ermines that people hunt them for their fur.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's true, it is technically a weasel. I just see that and instantly think "ermine" because of the name of the portrait.
ReplyDeleteAlthough that reminds me of the time I had someone ask me why Elizabeth had a painting done of herself with a rat on her sleeve. :)
The wax figure of Elizabeth at Madame Tussaud's in London (based on the 'Ermine Portrait') actually has a stuffed ermine grasping onto her sleeve as in the painting.
ReplyDeleteProbably a little disconcerting to visitors who are unaware of the original portrait or symbolism! LOL
Thanks for telling me it was an ermine, as I had to use the ermine portrait in some history homework.
ReplyDeleteWho knew a forum from fifteen years ago would answer my question.
ReplyDelete