Question from Arthur - Seating arrangements at early Tudor feasts

Hi, I have a question about feasts in the early tudor period.I just watched the TV A Tudor Feast and I have a few questions I wondered if someone knew the answer too.

Who exactly sat at the top table, I know the lord did but who else? If the lord has several sons and daughters and they are all adults or teens where do they sit? Also if there is visiting nobility of a higher status do they get the prim place at the top table in place of the lord? And lastly in the case of a wedding feast do the couple occupy the head table too?

I am writing a novel and want to try and get things as accurate as possible..thanks.

Question from Pendragon525 - Lady in waiting to all of Henry's wives

I attended a lecture on Tudor-era women in England, and the lecturer mentioned--briefly--that there was one lady-in-waiting who served all 6 of Henry VIII's wives. Her name was not given. I have researched this with no success. Does anyone know if this is factual, and if so, who the lady in question was?

I brought this up to a fellow history buff who thought that the lecturer might be referring to Jane the Fool, but I can find no evidence of Jane in Katherine of Aragon's service, and she looks quite young in the famous "family portrait" painting; she appears to be of roughly the same age as Mary I.

Which brings me to my second question: why were the fools in that portrait at all, and was that commonplace? Are there other such paintings?

Question from Tonya - Margaret Tudor

I'm the 15th great granddaughter of Margaret Tudor Queen of Scotland and located in Tennessee, USA. I'm curious about information in regards to her as I have not been able to find much and also would love to hear about others that fit into my family through Margaret or Mary of Scots.

Question from Stacey - Lady Catherine Huntley

What happened to Lady Catherine Huntley after Perkin Warbeck's execution?

Question from David - Elizabeth I and cataracts

Last year I visited a small museum in Italy in an Abbey near the town of Preci. In Tudor times that region had a reputation for skilled eye surgeons and it was said that one operated on Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, as evidence of this fame. This intrigued me. I have done some searches and some Italian references suggest that either Durante or Cesare Scacchi operated on the queen to "remove" cataracts in 1588, with some secrecy as Durante was a surgeon to the Pope.
Searching on line I can't find any references to Elizabeth having cataracts, although she was said to be short-sighted and have various ailments, and any ill-health was not made public.
Does anyone have any useful references that would support the claims from Italy?
The museum may well have been damaged by recent earthquakes.

Question from Arthur - Subsidiary and courtesy titles of heirs

Hi, I been reading up the stuff on this site on courtesy tiles of nobility in the Tudor period...there a couple of things I would like to ask, apologies if it has been asked before but I could not find anything...

i)What happens if the father has no subsidiary title for his eldest son to use? does the heir simply not take one? Or is one invented for him?

ii)Is there any cases where second subsequent sons will use courtesy tiles if they have having a living elder brother? What i mean by that is not when the eldest son has died and the next son becomes the heir, but at the same time?

iii)Slightly off at a tangent but somewhat related at what age was the heir considered to be "of age" and what happened the courtesy tiles when a new heir took over?

This is for a novel I am researching, while its fiction and I have certain amount of poetic licence as it were, I still want get it historically credible...thanks.

Question from EBJohnson - Anne Boleyn's 'difficult' pregnancies

Eric Ives, as well as several other historians, reference Anne Boleyn as having a "difficult pregnancy" in 1533, as well as references to a "difficult pregnancies" later on (which ultimately ended in miscarriage). Does anyone know where this information comes from? Scouring through the primary sources and don't see anything that lead me to believe Anne's pregnancies were anything short of normal. Who or what, specifically, detailed her pregnancies as being "difficult"?

Question from Kenneth - Anne Boleyn's last days in the Tower

I am thinking about writing a play about Anne Boleyn's last few days in the Tower. How much freedom would she have had, could she move about or was she confined to a room or rooms? Would she be allowed visitors or any other contact with the outside world? Any information or insight you could give me would be appreciated. Thank you.

Question from Julia - Anne Boleyn book receommendations

Hi!
I'm 22, from Brazil and I'm studying Anne Boleyn for a theatre project. At first I wanted to find a diary or something she wrote but, unfortunately, according to my little research (which is beggining now) she does not have one.

I found some letters and it is really going to help but I wanted to ask if you could recommend some books about her. I found out that there's a million books but I don't know what I should read because I don't know what's true and what's not or in which books I could trust. It is really important to have all the information right.

I tried to find it in google or ask people but no one knows what to say.

Sorry if my english is kind of a mess and thank you so much for this website!

[Book recommendation posts are frequently asked questions, but it never hurts to post some again with all the new works coming out every year! - Lara]

Question from KG - Henry VIII destined for the Church

Is it true that Henry VII planned for his son Henry to become archbishop of Canterbury? Are there any sources for this rumour? Thank you.

[This is one of those questions that I could have sworn was asked before, and while I did find a thread that included it - see below - I couldn't find a question directly about it. So here is one! - Lara]

Previous thread: http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/10/open-thread-on-starkeys-virtuous-prince.html

Question from Allyson - Follow-up questions to previous post

Some follow up questions to my previous ones.

Who was rich in the 1520s? Was it only royalty? Furthermore, if it wasn't how could one become rich in such a time.

Was there a guild for book making/selling? What sorts of people might have been in this profession?

Because cities were mainly self-governing what sorts of things were people persecuted or outcast from society for? Did they organized their own courts and trials? Who might have led the self-governing, or was it more mob like.

I also came across an interesting event called Dancing Mania. It seems people don't really know much about what it really was although it was documented enough for it to be excepted as a real event. How isolated was this? Do we know how people reacted to such an event?

Royalty and royal blood was obviously very important in that time, so how well did people track their royal blood? I assume very well, and how were certain relations to the royal family acknowledged. Furthermore, and more importantly, how were illegitimate children of the royal family cared for and addressed?

Question from Allyson - Resources for c. 1520 England

Hello, I'm doing research for a novel I'm writing which takes place in or close to 1520 Reading, England. It is fiction but I want to have the details as factual as possible. Some questions that have come up.

What were the rolls of viscounts at the time? Who were they, what did they do, how did they live, who were they above and under?

Can you tell me anything or refer me to something that will give me information about the industries, jobs, etc. of the time (specifically the book and printing industry)

Another question I have is about the levels of law enforcement at the time. What were offenses to the law? How were they reported, enforced, investigated, etc.?

Also, a lot of information goes around about how the common people lived. Where could I look for an educational, factual representation of everyday life in the 1520s.

Thank you.

Question from Camilla - Edward Seymour, the "Good Duke"

Hello, I am 17, currently researching Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset for my A Level History coursework and looking to reassess the title of "Good Duke" which has long lingered over Seymour's reputation.

I am finding it particularly difficult to find written correspondence originating from Seymour himself (which would help to shed light upon his personal character) and/or any sources from the general populous (around the period 1547-1549) as to the common consensus on his character/protectorship. Would it be possible for any help in direction towards possibly useful sources? Is there any trace of the Duke within folk tales/song?

My main question however is if this "Good Duke" title originated within posthumous historical thought or whether the common people genuinely saw the Lord Protector in such a light- and more importantly, whether this corresponded in actuality to Somerset's protectorship/personality. In short, was his title duly granted?

Thankyou!

Question from KG - Henry VIII fasting during Advent and Lent

I read that Henry VIII fasted during Advent and Lent. Our image of him is that of a consummate overeater - would he really have had to keep to the same rules of fasting as everyone else? And what exactly would have been expected in terms of "fasting"?

Question from KG - Baptism of Henry VIII's children who died young

Do we know if Henry VIII's children, such as the Henry, duke of Cornwall born in 1513, or the stillborn/short-lived children he had with Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn who weren't named, were baptised? If so, do we have any descriptions of the proceedings?

Question from Arthur - Grief in the 15th century

Can anyone tell me how grief was dealt with in 15th century? I know death was a lot more prevalent but I assume human emotions and feelings of loss and grief have not altered all that much over time that even though people harden to death might not be as sensitive. I think that loosing a beloved spouse,child, parent, or close sibling must of still be painful for them.

So how did the people around the griever? Especially in the case of men I presume that people would just expect him to pull himself together and be stoic about it?

I think I remember they had mourning periods but what I am really trying to find out is what emotional support grieving people got from family and friends.

Question from Arthur - Courtiers time away from Court

Can anyone tell me when Courtiers such as Kings grooms and ushers etc in the reins of Henry 7th and 8th would go home? As in have enough time to return to country estates?

Would you ever have a situation where they were 'not allowed' to return home? Were there specific things they had to be at court for?

Question from KG - Henry VIII's godchildren

Do we know the names of all/any of Henry VIII's godchildren, and how he fulfilled this role?

Question from KG - Dicing and bowling in Henry VIII's reign

I have read that dicing and bowling were considered immoral in Henry VIII's reign, yet he and his courtiers enjoyed these activities. Would they have been judged for this, or was it socially (and religiously) acceptable?

Question from KG - Tudor monarchs and Mass

How often would the Tudor monarchs have gone to Mass and what would the services have been like? Can anyone direct me to a really good source please? This is for a university project.

Question from Mary the Quene - Reading of the charges against George Boleyn

My question is regarding the reading of the charges against George Boleyn during his trial.

He (George Boleyn) was instructed to NOT read aloud the statements he and his sister allegedly made concerning the virility of Henry VIII.
In a swipe at the powers railroading him towards the scaffold, George Boleyn intentionally, and in a clear loud voice, spoke the comments for alllllll those courtiers and ghoulish court-haunters to hear.


Does anybody know if Henry VIII learned that his shame had been made ever so public?

Question from Michael - Nudity in Tudor England

Dear All

Can anyone tell me how nudity was seen in Tudor England. Was it a criminal offence? Were people prosecuted for it? was it socially acceptable behind closed doors?

Michael

Question from Arthur - Inheritance scenarios

Hi, I am working on a novel set in 1495. I have a couple of questions that would help me work out a couple of plot details.

First, I read all the previous post on titles in Abeyance and I have a question that wasn't directly covered directly i don't think. In my story there is a baron who knows he is dying, he has 4 daughters, daughter 1 is 19 but is physically and mentally disabled, the youngest 2 daughters are just little 11 and 8 the 2nd daughter is 16. The baron knows he has no sons, so he and his best friend, an Earl with 4 sons the youngest of which the youngest is unmarried, decided to marry their kids together so that the baron can hopefully get a grandson. So that happens, but this baron has a younger brother whom he despises. He does not want the title and/or castle to pass to his brother. My question is that in this situation and assuming the daughter is pregnant when the baron dies would the title be held for the child or go to the barons brother?...

My second question is somewhat related to above...assuming the Earls youngest son is 16/17 when the baron dies would he be allowed to manage any land inherited by his wife, or would an elder male of his family have manage it for him?

Question from begob - Elizabeth I assassination attempt

Trying to find information on The Barge Incident, an attempt on the life of Elizabeth I.

I found this:
"Be of good cheer, for you will never want, for the bullet was meant for me, though it hit you."

Elizabeth I (1533-1603), Queen of England (1558-1603). As quoted in The Sayings of Queen Elizabeth, ch. 13, by Frederick Chamberlin (1923). "To one of her boatmen who was shot when within six feet of her on her barge in the Thames. She took off her scarf and gave it to him to bind over his wound, which was bleeding profusely."

http://www.poemhunter.com/queen-elizabeth-i/quotations/page-4/

Chamberlin's book is not a reliable source, and my searches turned up nothing for the state papers.

Help please.

Question from Sarah - Henry VIII and St. Augustine

I have heard that Henry VIII really admired the works of St. Augustine and that Augustine was his favourite theologian. Is there any evidence of this? Were Augustine's ideas in vogue at the time?

Question from Sarah - Sack of Rome and Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Rome was sacked by Charles V's troops in 1527, around the time Henry VIII was promising himself to Anne Boleyn. Would some (perhaps including Henry?) have seen the Sack of Rome as proof God did not favour the Pope anymore? Could these two events be connected at all?

Question from Jan - Bathroom use at court

How and where did people at court go to the bathroom in Tudor England? There were apparently large crowds of people at court with very complicated clothes. What were the sanitation facilities?

Question from Fr Elijah - Monastic involvement in the establishment of the Anglican Church

I am a Roman Catholic Benedictine monk and priest. I am researching very specific questions for which I have not been able to locate materials. Any citations,source documents, or general direction would be greatly appreciated:

1-During the time of Henry VIII before his break with Rome, were there any Bishops serving who had been monks (Benedictine or Cistercian)? I realize (a) not all monks or Abbots were priests, and (b) most bishops were previously secular priests. So, I am inquiring if you know of any monastic priests who had become or were serving as Bishops under Henry VIII?

2-Based on the answer to #1, did any of those previously monastic Bishops become Anglican in support of Henry VIII?

3-Were there any previous monastics who served Thomas Cramner during the early development of the Anglican Church?

4-I know that under the reign of Mary that many monks returned from the Continent who had previously faced the dissolution. Did she appoint any monks as Bishops?

5-Based on the answer to #4, did any remain and support Elizabeth?

So, in a nut shell, I am looking to see if there was any direct monastic involvement in the establishment of the Anglican Church, its hierarchy, or the development of its Book of Common Prayer.

Thanks!
Elijah

Question from Kris - Abeyance and inheritance in Elizabeth's reign

Hi!

I have a couple questions about abeyance and inheritance of titles/lands in Elizabeth's reign.

The short story is, I need a female to be holding land, but not the title that goes with the land. I've been operating as if the title has been in abeyance for hundreds of years, but I could be wrong, & want to check what I'm doing.

If a title went into abeyance because there were no male heirs, the property would have been passed down to the female(s) heirs, correct? Issue/heirs of that female line would continue to inherit the land, but not the title? How would those land-holders have be referred to? Lord/Lady? If so, of what were they lord/lady? Were they still considered noble? Allowed "honorary" titles?

What if there were NO heirs? How would the land get distributed/held in that case? Was it still "in abeyance"? Something else, w/ diff legal connotations? Or was the title (and land?) just subsumed back to the Crown, to be redistributed at will?

Thank-you so much!!

Kris

Question from Jackie - Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell

My questions concern Anne Boleyn/Henry VIII/Thomas Cromwell. Researching this time period has become a hobby of sorts for me. There is a lot of contradictory info out there so I figured it would be interesting to ask questions here to hear different points of view. The questions are really more of learned opinion than fact-based in nature...

1) Did Henry VIII have a hand in not allowing the marriage between Anne and Harry Percy?

2) Is it your opinion that Anne truly loved Henry or was she more so seduced by the power and glory of being a Queen? I know there is also the factor of her family's drive for power and wealth as well, but I often wonder if she truly loved the King apart from all the benefits associated with him.

3) If not for the strong influence of Cromwell, would the Reformation have occurred as it did in England? The winds of reform had already reached England, but prior to Anne and Cromwell those who spoke against the Church were charged with heresy. Cromwell appeared to not only want to serve his King but also further his own religious agenda. But back to my first question here...Do you think Henry would have thought to declare himself Head of the Church and break from Rome on his own?

Question from Audreanna - Anne of Cleves' life in Germany before marriage

Hello, my name is Audreanna and I recently got a part in a renaissance festival as Anna von Kleve, or as she is more widely known, Anne of Cleves. I have done some research although, not a lot and I have found to very different stories. One being that she loved her family and she didn't want to leave her home in Germany. Another story is that she hated her family and that she was abused by her brother. I was just wondering which one is the more accurate story or if they both have some truth in them.

Question from Justine - Catherine of Arago and Cloth of Silver

Hi, I'm sure I read somewhere that Catherine of Aragon preferred Cloth of Silver and as less of this fabric was produced it ultimately worked out to be more expensive and exclusive than Cloth of Gold. Another annoyance for Henry to tot up I think. Is this correct?

Question from Becca - Further questions on Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon's coronation procession

Hello all! I'm still working on my project and hoped that some of you out there could answer some more questions for me and help me double check the information I've already gathered.

In all I have found 23 ladies who were for sure at Catherine and Henry's coronation procession. These ladies range from maids of honor to chamberers. I am sure there were several more but I'm still working on it.

Question: Would Henry's knights have been the "Knights of the Garter"? I have a list of them and that would be awesome but I have no idea if Henry's knights and the knights of the garter would have been the same people.

2nd Question: Who would have been considered the "children of Honor"? I know there were 9 of them, that they wore blue velvet in the procession and that each of them represented a region of Henry Viii's dominion (by name England, France, Gascony, Guyenne, Normandy, Anjou, Cornwall, Wales and Ireland). Also that they rode white palfreys decorated with the trappings of the 9 regions. Would these kids have been the children of high ranking nobles from the areas they represented.

Question 3: Who were the Barons of the Cinque Ports in 1509? Apparently there were 4 of them, there were several barons that represented more then one port. Even the people who run the website dedicated to the Cinque Ports don't have an answer for 1509. They may have been the same men who represented the ports in 1510 but I don't know for sure.

I absolutely love this website and I am so grateful for all of the help and support I've found here. I have gone through the Q and A's pretty far back searching around, I apologize in advance if I'm repeating previous questions.

Question from Becca - Henry VIII's coronation procession

Hi everybody! I am looking for people who were in Henry Viii's coronation procession. My mother-in-law and I are working on a project as part of her physical therapy. Some people like the mayor of London was easy enough to track down, however others are proving difficult. I'd like to know which of Catherine's ladies were there and a total head count of Henry's attendants. On a side note, does anybody know what a "Bauderike" is? I believe it maybe some kind of "chain of estate" but I'd love some confirmation on that. Thank you for your help!

Question from Arthur - Grooms and Ushers in the reign of Henry VII

Hi I am researching a novel set in 1495. In it my MC and his son are Grooms and Ushers to the King which would be Henry 7th. Its a fictional story and the fictional characters, but I have to questions if you are able to help....

How much freedom would they have? For instance is it likely that the King would dismiss them from court to go home at regular intervals or if they requested the need to or would they have certain times they are allowed home, they live in Somerset so I am estimating it will take them a few days to get home and a few more to get back.

Also the father is an Earl the Son a Viscount. How much interference is there likely to in their estates and families from the King who is slightly suspicious of them because of some family allegiances. He is suspicious but cannot directly prove their involvement in anything, of keeping them close rather than letting them do as they please. If any of that makes sense. I realise its fiction, but I like to be as credible as possible.

Question from Samantha - Ursula Pole's birth year

Most online resources list 1504 as the birth year of Ursula Pole, but Hazel Pierce's biography of Margaret Pole states that Ursula was born before 1500. Any idea where this discrepancy comes from or which is correct?

This is for a historical fiction writing project (www.SamanthaWilcoxson.blogspot.com). Thank you!

Question from Anna - Children's drink in 16th century England

What are some reliable secondary sources, such as books and journal articles, that cover what children drank in 16th century England? For a university project we have to choose a topic relating to drinking in the early modern era to write a 4000 word essay on, and what children drank is something that I'd like to focus on. Although we are supposed to focus on primary sources, we have been advised to use some secondary sources as a starting point, but I am struggling to find anything!

Question from Cameren - English power in Europe during the Tudor period

I'm writing an essay on the Tudor dynasty and need to know how England asserted itself as the dominant power in Europe during the Tudor dynasty. All answers welcome(especially correct one).

[I discourage people just giving answers to homework questions like this, but I thought the general question was interesting and could prompt an informative discussion, especially since I don't think that England generally really is considered a dominant power in that period. - Lara]

Question from Den - Story of Elizabeth unchaperoned at a party

Where did the story that Kat Ashley allowed Elizabeth unaccompanied go to a party on the Thames?thanks for any answers.

Question from Candace - Importance of virginity before marriage for noblewomen

How important was virginity before marriage for noblewomen? If a nobleman discovered on his wedding night that his wife was not a virgin, how would he react? Would he try to seek an annulment, or if he could not get one, view her as unchaste and of 'loose' morals?

What happened to women who were raped before marriage? Would they still be able to make a good marriage? Would being sent to a convent or a nunnery be a mercy or a sign of disgrace? Were there any possibilities that a woman would be raped but not blamed for 'enticing' the man?

Question from Candace - Form of address for royal governesses

In several Tudor historical fiction books I have read, I have seen the governesses of Henry VIII's children, Margaret Bryan and Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, addressed as simply 'Bryan' and 'Salisbury', rather than with 'Lady' affixed to the front, which strikes me as rude. I know that historical fiction is a poor source for actual facts, but that I have seen it in several stories leads me to wonder if it was an accepted custom, or simply an invention on the parts of the authors that was replicated from story to story.

Question from KG - Burning for heresy in Henry VIII's reign

Were people being burned for heresy in the first half of Henry VIII's reign (until 1527/8)? If so, what heresies were they being executed for?

Question from Peter - Training as lawyer or vicar

In the 1400s at what age would someone begin training to become a Lawyer at Lincoln's Inn and how long would the training take.

Likewise for someone joining the church as a Vicar?

Would you have to attend Oxford or Cambridge first?

Many thanks

Peter

Question from Den - Seymour's claim of being bewitched by Elizabeth

Is it true that when Catherine Parr caught her husband embracing Elizabeth, he said that she had bewitched him and that Elizabeth is the same as her mother Anne Boleyn? Thanks for any answer.

Question from KG - "Assertion septem sacramentorum" translator

I am studying Henry VIII's book, "Assertion septem sacramentorum". It was translated by an American named Rev. Louis ODonovan. Does anyone know if he is considered a non-biased translator? I'm guessing from his title (Rev.) that he is Protestant?

Question from KG - Henry VIII's "Litterarum quibus respondit ad quondam epistolam"

Does anyone know anything about a book Henry VIII is said to have written, "Litterarum quibus respondit ad quondam epistolam"? Has it been translated?

Question from James - Another Elizabeth Tilney

I'm looking for information on the apparent Elizabeth Tilney that was in the tower of London with Jane and apparently a niece of Agnes Howard, nee Tilney, Duchess of Norfolk.

I cannot find any evidence, at all, of her existence. None. Nadda. Zilch.

All I can find is that Agnes Howard (nee Tilney), Duchess of Norfolk's brother, Philip Tilney (b. 1463 - d. 1534) married Margaret Brewse (b.? - d.?) and they had two sons: Thomas (b. approx. 1501?) and Philip (b. 1503).

Thomas married Malena (surname unknown) and they had a son, Edmund (b. approx. 1530). Philip married Margaret Barrett and they had a son, Emery (b. approx. 1530)

This is all I can find for Agnes's brother's descendants. According to someone on this site, there is a Brandon Relative - a granddaughter of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk's aunt, Eleanor - called Elizabeth Jeffrey. This physically cannot be true as none of William Brandon's sisters have Jeffrey descendants.

William Brandon's sisters are thus, with marriages included - issue, included too from my own research:
*Mary Brandon, who married John Redying (or Reading): NO ISSUE.

*Anne Brandon, who married Nicholas Sydney, Esq: William Sidney (husband of Anne Packenham), father of Henry Sidney, grandfather of Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester.

*Elizabeth Brandon, who married firstly Augustine Caundishe (or Candishe, Cavendish), and secondly John Leventhorpe: ISSUE FROM CAVENDISH ARE: Richard, Elizabeth, Edward, Anne, Catherine - Richard has 3 daughters who marry into the Sands, Thorne and Goulde families but have no issue.
ISSUE FROM LEVENTHORPE: Margaret and Catherine who married Richard Brograve.

*Margaret Brandon "The Elder", who married Gregory Lovell, Knt: ISSUE: Thomas, Margaret, Francis and Catherine

*Margaret Brandon "The Younger" who Married Hugo / Hugh Manning de Cary: ISSUE: John, Robert, Richard

*Katherine Brandon, who married John Gurney: ISSUE: Christian (marries James Darnell) and Elizabeth (marries Walter Ayscough)

*Eleanor Brandon (c.1462 30 June 1480), who married, after 5 March 1466, as his second wife, John Glemham[8][26] (c.14601499): ISSUE: Anne, who marries Henry Pagrave.

So, you see, there's no actual "Jeffrey" relative related to Brandon... so is Elizabeth Tilney made up as well as Philip Tilney's (apparent) second and third wives?

The only other Elizabeth Tilney I can find is a daughter of Hugh Tilney and a half-sister of Philip and Agnes who died in 1497.
And, of course, Agnes's cousin, Elizabeth, Countess of Surrey.

I've seen about a book by de Lisle... but she doesn't give any evidence as to WHERE she got the information from, so apart from the name there, I've got nothing.

So, I'd like some help in filling it in.

Anything?

Question from KG - Knowledge and views of the Eastern Orthodox Church

Did people in Henry VIII's reign know about the Eastern Orthodox Church? Did any of them write about it, were they considered heretics?

Question from Andrew - Ideas for dissertation on everyday life in the reign of Henry VIII

Hi guys,

I am currently a second year university student who is trying to narrow down their dissertation topic. I want to focus my dissertation on everyday life in during the reign of Henry VIII. Any ideas on how I could narrow this down? Also any books that relate to this specific topic?

Many thanks.