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Monday, February 27, 2012

Question from Patricia - Anne Boleyn's French

What do you think about Anne Boleyn’s handwriting “Le temps viendra, Je, Anne Boleyn”
Love, wedding, coronation, birth, death: According to you, when did she write it and what was she talking about when she wrote this note?
Anne was English and spoke French. "Je" sounds like a little mistake. She used it like "I" in English. In French, we say “Moi”.
This is a very affecting detail.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Question from Alexandra - Another guardianship scenario

Good afternoon,

I am writing a novel based in Tudor times (1584), and have a slightly convoluted question(s) regarding guardianship, illegitimacy, and inheritance laws.
My research has pointed me here.

I have looked elsewhere on this site, and whilst have found some answers, which have helped a great deal, I am still unsure as to the following points.

I have the following scenario. A young illegitimate child is sent to live with her only living relative – her very rich uncle – on her mother’s death bed.

The child has nothing to her name.
The uncle takes in the child and he becomes her guardian.

The uncle has a wife, a son and two daughters.

Would the uncle have become her guardian immediately, or would he have had to apply to the crown to gain wardship (is this correct term?) over the child?

Could this be done even though the child is illegitimate and the Uncle has no idea who the father was?

Would the Uncle also have to apply for legitimacy for the child?

Would the uncle be able to state in his will that the child is to be provided for, and looked after, by the uncle’s family, after his death? In which case would the guardianship of the child automatically pass to the son? Would the uncle also be able to state if the child was to have a dowry in the same will?

I hope you can help – I imagine this is all very complex – but if you could point me in the right direction, or give me a brief basic outline as to the above, I would be very grateful.

is any of the above likely or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely?

Many thanks in advance.

Alexandra

Question from Maud - Tudor Rose at Holyrood Palace

Silly question maybe but I'm a big Tudor and Stuart freak. I recently visited Edinburgh for the second time and checked out Holyrood Palace for the second time (to show my boyfriend).

He mentioned to me and asked me at the same time "Is that the Tudor rose" when pointing to a big chair. He could be right because it looked almost exactly like the Tudor Rose.

So we went on and I kept seeing it everywhere. The symbol was on chairs, fireplaces, ceilings. So my question is: is this the Tudor Rose? I guess it isn't, I can't imagine it but it sure does look like it.

I tried Googling for a sort of "Stuart" rose but can't find anything. Does anybody know more about this mysterious symbol?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Question from Michael - Burial vault in St. George's Chapel

I am so curious about the royal vault in st. georges chapel. I would love to see a sketch or a photo of the layout,etc.....where exactly is it located under the chapel.....how do you gain access.......what do the niches look like......are the remains of the coffins on shelves lying open to the air,etc......where exactly in the vault was King George the 6th left for 19 years until he was moved to the niche in the main part of the chapel......I have visited Windsor 5 times in the last twenty years and every time I visit the chapel I wonder who I am walking over and where,etc.....how big is /are the vaults.....when was the last time it was opened.....the lucky custodial staff has a firsthand view into history.....must they sign confidentiality agreements.....ANY information on the vault would be greatly appreciated.....research and curiosity abound......thanks.......Mike

Question from Renee - Differences in punishments between upper and lower classes

Hi there, I am a year 13 student doing an assignment on "crime and punishment in early Tudor-Stuart England". I have 3 questions on this topic that i must answer, but I am having trouble finding information to answer one of my questions;

-Was their a distinguishable difference between the punishments endured by the upper class nobility to the lower class in Tudor-Stuart England?

If anyone has documentarys, photos, websites or books they could refer me too, it would be very appreciated.

Thanks heaps(:

Monday, February 20, 2012

Question from Nick - Elizabeth I's other motto

I wanted to ask about origin of the motto of the queen Elizabeth I "video et taceo". Thanks for any response.

Question from Jo - Origin of Elizabeth I's motto

How did Elizabeth i took her motto "semper eadem" frome her mother or writes Alison Weir in her book frome lady Tyrwhitt?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Question from Val - Boat Anne of Cleves traveled to England on

Please can any one confirm, conclusively, on which boat Anne of Cleves travelled to England.

I just cannot find confirmation as to the one she was onboard when they actually sailed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my request.

Question from Monica - A Narrative of the Pursuit of English Refugees in Germany Under Queen Mary

Anyone know where I can find online the transcript of "A Narrative of the Pursuit of English Refugees in Germany Under Queen Mary" by John Bret?

Monday, February 13, 2012

Question from Tudor Fan - Henry's potential career in the Church if Arthur had lived

Hello!
For the past few weeks one matter has been on my mind. Many people claim that Henry VII Tudor wanted his son Henry (later Henry VIII) to become a member of the Church. However Arthur Tudor's death meant that Henry became heir to the throne.

My questions is - if Arthur had lived, and Henry wanted to join the Church - how his career would have looked like? Could he had start from being a simple priest? I assume that Henry would have probably became Archbishop of Canterbury (the highest rank in Church) and Cardinal (appointed by Pope) and perhaps also Lord Chancellor. But as the king's brother (still assuming that Arthur had lived) would he had retained the title of Duke of York?

And also - if Katherine of Aragon bore a son by Arthur while Arthur was still alive, what title this boy would have had? Arthur was a Prince of Wales (usually first son has this title) and Henry was a Duke of York. Would that mean that this child as an heir presumptive also held the title of Prince of Wales?

Thank you for your time :-)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Question from Monica - MPs in the 1560s

How important was the role of MP in the 1560s? How much influence did it give you, and was the pay good? How much did you have to do?

Question from Ruth - History of the Great Hall at Hampton Court

What is the history of the architecture and construction of the Great Hall, Hampton Court Palace?

Principally, it's the Stained-glass windows I'm interested in: although I realise that they are not the originals, I guess that they are copied from the originals(?) Any information as to who the original artists/designers were and when they were first installed would be of great help.

I have trawled thro' masses of reference material (including Simon Thurley's Thesis), but can find nothing specific. I am awaiting a copy of Jonathan Foyle's paper via JSTOR, but it has not yet been forthcoming (and may not have the desired info!)

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Question from Jordan - Henry VIII State Papers online

Hi I'm in my 3rd year of uni at Sunderland in UK and I'm doing my dissertation on Anne Boleyn and need to access primary documents, Mainly the calendar of state papers during the reign of Henry VIII. My lecturer said I could access them on line via national archives however I'm having trouble finding it, any one got any ideas? Thank you

[This is sort of a repeat type of question, but it doesn't hurt to get more input on sources! - Lara]

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Question from Stuart - Henry VIII's banner in France in 1513

Hello

I have read reference that Henry VIII took the banner of the virgin mary to France on the 1513 campaign, can anyone offer any suggestion as to its appearance or principal colours?

PS,if you're interested in Tudor vexillology invest in 'Banners standards and badges from a Tudor manuscript in the college of arms'; a great book !

Kind Regards

Stuart