Question from Becca - Factual basis for fictional portrayals of Henry VIII and his wives

Hi, I'm a third year university student (UK) and I am just starting to collect some info for my dissertation. I do not have a solid question as of yet, however, I would like to do something along the lines of 'how far do fictional works on the life of Henry VIII & his relationship with his wives have basis in fact?' I have chosen this because I do have a good back ground knowledge of the Tudors and I'm very passionate for subject, especially the personal life of Henry. I also find the modern representations of Henry (in film and tv series) fascinating, in particular how key historical facts are often left out and are replaced by stereotypes for entertainment value. The Tudors seem to be a fashionable topic in film and media at the moment, I'm keen to find out why and (in relation to my dissertation) if they do have basis in fact? However, I'm starting to worry slightly that maybe there won't be enough information/sources for a 12,000 word project. Has anyone written a similar essay or studied this topic? Know any good books to recommend? I want to get started as soon as but my tutor will only see me once every two weeks! Any help would be greatly received. Thank you.

Question from Michelle - Anne Boleyn's surviving letters

How many letters that Anne Boleyn wrote have survived? I know there is the letter that a very young Anne wrote to her father, 2-3 she wrote to Cardinal Wolsey and a short one to Thomas Crowmell. Are there any more? Thanks!

Question from Norman - Tudor parts of Hampton Court Palace

My understanding of the Hampton Court Palace Cumberland Suite is that it is the remains of Henry VIIIs private suite of rooms. On my last visit a guide showed me a very small and very old door and that would have connected his inner most rooms to the Bayne Tower. I am not very tall and I would have had to stoop to use this door. I cant imagine the very tall Henry using it, but there it is. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Regarding the Queens apartments immediately above the suite: does anyone know what state it is in and whether it contains Tudor elements?

Also, so the brick columns now on the face of the suite cover Wolseys glass bay windows?

Question from Bron - Anne Boleyn accusing Charles Brandon of Incest

Did Anne Boleyn accuse Charles Brandon of incest with one of his daughters?

In 1531, the Imperial ambassador reported that Anne Boleyn wants to revenge herself on the duke of Suffolk, for having once brought a charge against her honour, (and has) accused him of criminal intercourse with his own daughter. No one knows yet what will come out of all this. [5] La dite dame aussi pour le mesme respect, et pour se venger de ce que le due de sufforcq lauoit autres fois voulu charger de son honneur, luy a fait mectre sus quil se mesloit et copuloit avec sa propre fille (Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, note 302.)

Interesting.

Question from Ray - Nobility at Elizabeth's court c. 1574

Looking for a concise list of ALL Nobility who were at Queen Elizabeth's Court at around 1574. Any ideas on where I can get this list or anyone who has a comprehensive list, I would love a copy of it. This applies to Male AND female Courtiers. HELP!

Question from Peter - Family Alliances

I have come across a number of references where it is stated that certain families had 'alliances'.

It is seldom made clear what the nature of such 'alliances' is.

Does anyone have a view about what the term 'alliance' does and does not imply?

Thank you.
Peter

Question from Bron - Christmas court of 1543

I am trying to find out about the Royal Christmas at the end of 1543. Some sources state that Henry and Parr brought all three children together at Havering, but I can't seem to find any documentation. I would appreciate it if you have any information, please.

Question from Frances - Henry VIII and horse sizes

Is it true that Henry VIII banned all horses under a certain size (maybe 14 hands?) so that only bigger horses would be bred in England?
If so, that would eliminate most Arabian horses.

Question from Mary Ann - Possible 8th child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

This is a question that I have had for many years that I have not been able to clear up. It all started when I read the Agnes Strickland Lives of the Queens of England volume series through an interlibrary loan.

I seem to remember Ms. Strickland mentioning that Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII had another child that died at birth or soon after and that child's name was George, making a total of eight children between Henry VII and Elizabeth. However, I cannot find any other sources to confirm this. I had simply given up ever finding any other sources to confirm this or refute it so I had kind of forgotten about it.

Recently, this all came back to me as I was reading the Plantagenet Somerset Fry book Lives of the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland and I seem to remember it mentioned that some sources state that Henry VII and Elizabeth of York had a son named Edward that appears in some of the correspondence of the period, but the author was not sure if this was another son, or a variant of the name Edmund, the boy that died at about 18 months old.

Any information that anyone has to confirm or refute this would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to know the sources you have that can verify it as well.

Thanks!

Question from Lisa - Christopher Hatton's illegitimate daughter Elizabeth

Many sources say that Christopher Hatton had an illegitimate daughter, named Elizabeth, who then had an illegitimate child with John Perrot. I have been trying to find more information about Elizabeth. When was she born? Who was her mother? Any information will be appreciated.

Question from Mer - Wolsey's death and burial

I just read an interesting photo essay on Leicester Abbey that raises speculation over Wolsey taking his own life (I believe this was also the way The Tudors staged it). Is there convincing proof of suicide, or is this merely a dramatic invention? Also, any news on whether or not they're going to attempt to find Wolsey, given the success with uncovering Richard III?