Question from Marie - Witchcraft and Paganism in Elizabethan/Stuart England

I just wanted to ask a few questions:

1)How did people view witches in Elizabethan/Stuart England?

2)Did anyone really practice witchcraft or was it just people’s paranoia?

3)Before England was Christianized, the religion was Pagan. Did anyone worship Pagan deities in Elizabethan/Stuart England?

4)Was there any aspect of Elizabethan/Stuart culture that was influenced by Paganism?

This is not for a school project, I am just curious and can't find any anwers at the library

Question from Emma - Channel 5 program on the Death of Amy Robsart Dudley

Hi Lara and everyone

Did any one else catch the UK channel 5 programme last night on Elizabeth and Dudley and who killed his wife? I must admit when they came to the conclusion that it could have been Cecil, I nearly fell off my chair,he was the last man on my mined.

I would love to hear what you all thought about it

Question from Tracey - Marriages at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey...can 'regular folk' be married there? I can't see the entire structure being closed to the public unless a Royal Wedding takes place inside...but perhaps a private ceremony in a side chapel?

Question from Patricia - Sir Thomas Stewkley

what i would really like is as much information
on henry the viii children who were born out
of wedlock. i would like the information
on sir thomas stewkely of affeton. i want to
know who his real parents were and his children
and his grandchlidren. was sir thomas stekley
the child of henry the viii.

thank you patricia

Question from Sam - The Brandons choice of their daughter's names

A question regarding names. Have often wondered- why did Mary & Charles Brandon decided to name their daughters Frances and Eleanor? The names seem rather unusual for the time especially in view of the predominence of Marys, Elizabeths and Margarets in the royal house.

Happy Anniversary!

Can you believe it? This blog is five years old today! Thanks to everyone, once again, for all of the interesting questions and helpful answers. It's really been a help to me personally since there was no way I would have been able to respond to all of these questions personally over the past five years (we're at 1,285 posts as of today).

Thank you all!

Question from Michael - Humphrey Barroll, page to Elizabeth I

Does anyone have anymore details on Humphrey/Humffrey Barroll/Barrell who is recorded as page to Queen Elizabeth 1 at his marriage at St. Mildred (Bread Street) and St Margaret Moses church, London on 7 January 1596/7 to Martha Boteler. He was buried at All Saints church, Isleworth, London in May 1627.

Question from Nancy - Investigating a murder in Henry VIII's reign

When there was a murder in Henry VIII's time, who investigated it: the coroner, the justice of the peace or the constable? How did these officials work together or overlap--if they did?

Question from Orla - Henry VII's coloring

Just started reading Garrett Mattingly book on Catherine of Aragon and I came across a description of Henry VII (on page 29) anyway Mattingly states that he had 'blond good looks' I always thought Henry VII was dark haired from his portriats, anyone else come across the description of Henry VII as a blond?

Question from Lesley M - Origins of court dwarves

Can anybody tell me if court dwarves were born, or 'produced'. I seem to recall hearing at a lecture that there used to be a village in Sussex or Suffolk that was the centre of 'production'! I think it may have been done using herbs eg knot grass or daisy.

Question from Audrey - Margaret Plantagenet and Margaret Tylle

Are Margaret Plantagenet and Margaret Tylle the same person,if notwhy is she listed as a child if Elizabeth of York and Henry 7th-