Question from Meg - Mary Tudor and mental illness

Because of Mary Tudor's actions as a ruler, do you believe she had any mental health issues that we can classify today? I find this topic quite fascinating considering how at the time the population knew very little about mental illness. Anyway, what do you think?

Question from Donna - Costumes for play on Latimer and Ridley

I am making costumes for a play about Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley 1530 England. What kind of clothing would they wear. All of the photos I can find are so dark that I cannot see details. Any help will be appreciated.

Question from Bertha - Tudor masques

Where might I find examples of Tudor masques? I'm hoping to get enough information to include a fictitious masque in some writing that feels like it could fit in with the others. Currently, I'm going through the excerpts from Shakespearean plays that have them, starting with Henry VIII. I've also seen the masques featured in The Tudors. Specifically, I'm most interested in masques from Henry VIII's reign. Thanks so much!

Question from Charles - Tudor book recommendations

Can you recommend some books on the Tudors and their England as interesting as Tracy Borman's Private Lives of the Tudors? I think her book may be a little more of social history than biography. Will appreciate your help!

Question from Martin - Attainder of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk

Was Thomas Howard 1st Earl of Suffolk the only child of 4th Duke of Norfolk's to be 'attained' when his father was executed in 1572? I could not find evidence on the internet that any of his siblings or half-siblings were 'attained' at this time, and I was wondering why that should be the case. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. "Thomas Howard Suffolk, 1st earl of, 15611626, English nobleman; son of the 4th duke of Norfolk. He was attainted at the time of his father's execution (1572), but his rights were restored in 1584. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/british-and-irish-history-biographies/thomas-howard-1st-earl-suffolk

Question from Deborah - Relation of Catherine of Aragon to Elizabeth II

My husband is a descendant from Catherine of Aragon. Would my husband be kin to Queen Elizabeth II ?


[I tried to reach out to Deborah for clarification but the email bounced so I'll put what I emailed her in the first comment on this post. - Lara]

Question from Jane - Attitudes, etc. towards menopause in Tudor England

Hi , I am currently researching , or rather trying to research Tudor attitudes and customs etc regarding menopause . However, I cant seem to find anything other than the association of post menopausal women as witches. If you can help in anyway I would be really grateful. Anything to point me in the right direction . Many Thanks Jane Cummins

Question from Kymberly - Pope Pius V in Elizabeth I's reign

Hello! I am merely a curious person who wonders if Pope Pius V realized the pickle he was putting Catholic subjects in during the reign of Elizabeth l. Was he aware? Did he care? History suggests Elizabeth herself preferred to live and let live, and her actions prior to the bull establish that. The edict against her seems a logical explanation for her change in policy regarding her Catholic subjects. But is there any reason that can excuse Pius V's risking lives not his own, lives of those who were even sympathetic to his beliefs? Am I looking at Pius V through too modern a lens? Was he in emotional competition with Elizabeth, desiring evidence of greater deference to himself over the Queen of England? Are there any surviving documents that explain the pope's decision to place other Catholic lives in such peril? I am sooo curious! Thank you! Sincerely, Kymberly

Question from Amber - Sources for dissertation on Anne Boleyn and her role in the English Reformation

Hi i am currently a third year university history student, and have chosen to my dissertation on the topic of Anne Boleyn, after some back and forth with my tutor she decided that a good title for my dissertation would be along the lines of whether Anne Boleyn was a political pawn or a a large protestant protagonist in reference to her role within the English reformation. However as my tutor cannot give away too much i am struggling to put this together in terms of the structure of my chapters and finding the correct reading and primary sources to support my thesis, any help regarding anything like mentioned would be a great great, any sources reading or advice on structure that may come to mind to help with my title would be excellent. Many thanks, Amber