Question from Mary R - Anne Stanhope's tomb in Westminster Abbey

On a visit to Westminster Abbey, I was struck by the tomb/effigy of Anne Stanhope (Duchess of Sommerset, and the wife of Edward Seymour, the fist of Edward VI's Lord Protectors). It seemed to me that her memorial was more grand/ostentatious than that of any monarch.

Since she died in 1587, roughly forty years after her husband was executed, I wondered why she was given such consideration. From everything I've read, it seems that she was almost universally disliked by her contemporaries. She was considered excessively proud, even claiming precedence over Katherine Parr (because Katherine had married Thomas Seymour, the Protector's younger brother).

Did Anne pay for her own tomb in advance? Is there an interesting story here?

Question from Georgia - Elizabethan settlement

Hi, i am doing a project at school (im 17, in my final year at college) and need an 'out of the box source' so thought that maybe you could help. One of the questions i'm trying to focus on is how successful Elizabeth's decision to re-establish the Anglican Church was. If you could briefly describe how you think it was successful/ unsuccesful it would be very helpful. Thanks Georgia

Question from Stacey - Elizabeth's funeral effigy

The funeral effigy of Elizabeht in Westminster Abbey:
Is this a recreation of the effigy that was on Elizabeth's original coffin? Is it accurate as to what she really looked like when she died? Is an effigy a statue? Also, why would James I put Mary & Elizabeth together? (I apologize for asking so many questions)

Some related previous threads are linked below. - Lara

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/05/question-from-nina-elizabeth-and-marys.html

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/07/question-from-faith-elizabeths-tomb.html

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/01/question-from-nikki-tomb-effigies.html

Question from Laura - White cloth in Henry VIII portraits

When looking at paintings of Henry VIII his costumes are clearly elaborate and beautifully made yet quite often he has a piece of random white cloth tied round his waste like a bandage with a knot. What is this? It just seems so out of place!
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUDartists1.JPG

Question from Vicky - "The Boleyns" by David Loades

I was looking to buy Loades' 'The Boleyns', but the Amazon.co.uk reviews put me off. Has anyone read it? Does it fully explore, and find new information on, Thomas and George Boleyn?

Question from Sylwia - Incident with the King's fool in 1535

Hello,
I would like to ask something that is bothering me;
In Letters and Papers I found this information:

"The King wishes (a ouyt, qu. a enuye?) to kill his fool because he spoke well of the Queen and Princess "et disoit reb.....(ribaulde?) a la concubine et bastarde a sa fille. "He has been banished from Court, "et le rec.... elle le grand estonnee."
Chapuys to Grenevelle, 25 July 1535.
Lp. Viii. 1106

So the king's fool called Anne Boleyn and her daughter Elizabeth a whore, and he praised Katherine of Aragon and Lady Mary. This happened when Anne was still the king's wife, about one year before her execution.

Eric Ives in "The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn" states:
"At court, Nicholas Carewe made no bones about sheltering the king’s fool from Henry’s wrath after he had unwisely praised Katherine and Mary and denigrated Anne and Elizabeth." p. 302

Alison Weir in "6 wives of Henry VIII" states:
"Henry was angry - so angry, in fact, that Somers had to leave court for a while - but he did nothing more, whereas once he would have acted swiftly to punish anyone who slandered his wife" p- 284-5

I wonder why Eric Ives connected the king's anger at his fool with Nicolas Carewe? Did he had anything to do with this?
And also - was mentioned fool Will Somers? Chapuys mentioned only 'the king's fool' and Henry VIII had probably few court jesters.

Thank you :-)

Question from LH - Under-explored aspects of Henry VIII's reign

I’m interested in doing a research degree on an aspect of the reign of Henry VIII. I’m not interested in wars or laws – any ideas which aspects need further research?

Question from kb - Opinions on Weir's "Mary Boleyn"

Has anyone read Alison Weir's "Mary Boleyn: Mistress to kings"? Of so, I would be interested in your thoughts.

Thanks

Question from Vicky - Deux gentilhommes-poètes de la cour de Henry VIII

I've just come across this "Deux gentilhommes-počtes de la cour de Henry VIII (1891)" on archive.org (http://www.archive.org/details/deuxgentilhommes00bapsuoft). Is it a secondary source, is it in English, and is it useful and trustworthy?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Question from Stuart - Sir Richard Carew

Sir Richard Carew 1469-1520

I'd like to know a bit more about Sir Richard Carew. I am interested in Henry VIII's 1513 invasion of France and believe Carew was captain of Calais at that time though some sources state that he 'accompanied Henry' - does that mean literally, as in he wasn't in Calais already?

I also know that he was in the middle ward during that campaign in command of the artillery, his personal retinue and 1000 men - would these have been from the Calais garrison? would they have marched under his standard or was there a specific standard for the garrison?

That's about it, could anyone add anything else about Carew, his life, background and particularly with respect to his military career.

Thank You.

Stuart

Question from Eva Maria - Anne Boleyn and Henry Percy

Hello, all-

I am trying to wrap my mind around the Anne Boleyn/Henry Percy affair and get a general sense of the timing. I realize that certainty will elude me here, but I am hammering out a timeline for a historical novel and I want to make sure I am understanding the parameters correctly and building my plot within a reasonable framework.

If Percy was appointed to the Council of the North in 1522 (at the same time as his father, the 5th Earl?), and named Deputy Warden of the East March in October of that same year, would he not have been at court at that time? It seems he would have been in the north (especially as it was mentioned a few months later that he would be a good candidate to take over as Warden - which insinuates to me that he was up there, learning, doing a good job).

Since Anne made her debut at court in March 1522, there would not have been time for the two to meet and develop their infatuation. Thus, if Percy was in the north for a period from autumn 1522 onward (until - ?), they would have met after and the love affair would have begun then, with Wolsey perhaps breaking them up later in 1523. It would be useful to be able to count backward from the Percy-Talbot wedding, but alas, we are unsure of that date as well.

Would much appreciate any input on the appointment and whether it would have taken Percy from court, and also any impressions or theories anyone might have regarding the timing of the whole affair. So many thanks!

Question from Francis - Letter in Thomas Seymour's boot

I would like to ask where did the story after the execution of Thomas Seymour in his boot found the letter is known that the execution was not popular among the people whether it is possible that the letter was just planted that would discredit him as a traitor?

Question from Sarah - Marian exiles

Were the Marian exiles religiously tolerant?

Question from Gail - Duties of a gentleman usher

Can you describe the duties of a "gentleman usher" in Henry VIII's household? Thanks.

Question from Sam - Elizabeth fencing and shooting as a child

Is it true that queen Elizabeth I as a child taught to fence and shoot? Thanks for any response.