Monday, October 26, 2015

Question from Candace - Religions of the powerful families at Henry VIII's court

So I have seen various portrayals of these three families and their religions, in both fiction and nonfiction accounts. The Howards were Catholic, but apparently supported Anne Boleyn while she was in the ascendancy. Were their differing faiths part of the reason that her uncle Norfolk turned on her at the end? Also, were Thomas Boleyn and his family active reformers or did they simply subscribe to the new religion because it was advantageous to do so politically?

In addition, the Seymours were reputed to be Catholics and secret supporters of Katherine and Mary, which was part of the reason they toppled Anne Boleyn, but Jane's brothers Edward and Thomas were zealous reformers in raising their nephew. Did they convert at some point, or were they reformers who simply sympathized with Katherine and Mary?

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Question from Candace - Wives cooperations with annulments

For an annulment to be finalized, at least according to Henry VIII's logic, did the woman simply have to be notified of it, or did she have to agree to it as well? I am asking because of the theory that Anne Boleyn was granted a cleaner, more merciful end at the hands of a French executioner in exchange for her cooperation in annulling the marriage two days before her execution. This suggests that she had the power to veto it and that, even as a condemned prisoner, would have been able to refuse to agree to it and leave the marriage valid and Elizabeth legitimate in the eyes of God. But Henry was able to declare his marriage to Katherine of Aragon invalid even though she refused to accept the annulment for the rest of her life, so why would he need Anne to agree to it? Of course, this is all based on an unconfirmed theory, so I could be speculating needlessly, but I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts on the matter.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Question from Candace - Chapuy on Anne Boleyn's miscarriage

I was reading some of Eustace Chapuys's correspondence and came across this sentence in his report of Anne Boleyn's miscarriage in January 1536, the one that would have been her saviour: "The Princesss gouvernante, her daughters, and a niece, have been in great sorrow for the said [miscarriage], and have been continually questioning a lady who is very intimate with the Princess whether the said Princess did not know the said news of the [miscarriage], and that she might know that, but they would not for the world that she knew the rest, meaning that there was some fear the King might take another wife." Is Chapuys referring to Lady Salisbury, Mary's old governess? Does this mean that they viewed Anne's downfall with trepidation, since they feared that Henry might take another wife who would be similarly ill-disposed to Mary? Or did they simply not want to get Mary's hopes up that they might be rid of Anne for once and for all? I can't seem to find anything else on this sentence, and I was wondering if anyone here might have some additional insight to offer. Thanks!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Question from Adriane - George Medley, half brother of Henry Grey

I would like to know what happened to George Medley. Lady Jane Grey's father had a half brother named George Medley. I have looked at the family tree and I see no half brothers to her father. Exactly who is George's mother and father? He tried to help Lady Jane Grey before she was murdered and could not succeed. Where did he go after this? I can trace my family tree to John Medley back to the 1500s early settlement of Virginia. I live in the USA and have a long lineage of Catholics and they have traced our roots here. I would love to know about George. There may be a possibility that he is related to John.
Can anyone let me know where to look for George's family tree after Lady Jane Grey?
I am a junior at the University of North Texas and 50 years old.
Thanks Adriane Medley Thames

Monday, October 19, 2015

Question from Harietta - Succession if Henry VIII had a younger brother who lived to adulthood

If Henry VIII had had a younger brother who survived (such as Edmund, Duke of Somerset, who died at 15 months in 1500), would that have lessened the pressure on him to produce a male heir somewhat, since he could rely on a niece or nephew, or would only a son of his own body have provided the security that the Tudor line needed? If he had died without leaving any male heir behind, who would have become Queen (or King)? Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, or another niece or nephew?

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Question from Harietta - Mary and Elizabeth's restoration to the succession

Was the restoration of Mary and Elizabeth meant to be a "back-up" measure, since Henry VIII had no other possible successors after Edward, other than nephews and nieces? If he had had legitimate daughters after Edward's birth, would they have been before their half-sisters of unclear legitimacy? Would Mary and Elizabeth not have been restored to the succession? If Edward had had a sister he viewed as legitimate and who would have been raised Protestant, how might this have affected the succession after his death? Would there have been no Nine Days Queen?

Sunday, October 04, 2015

Question from Jeff - Non-fiction book recommendations on King Henry

Which book would be the very best to read to learn all the facts about King Henry, I'm looking for the real facts not fiction.
I've sent to much time reading the wrong book.