Question from Katlyn - Henry VIII and Cromwell's letter from the Tower

This may be common knowledge, but I just want to make sure: Henry VIII read Cromwell's letter from the Tower (the famous "mercy, mercy, mercy" one), yes? I was under the impression that this was established but I just realized that I don't know where I got that idea, and I could not find an answer online. Thanks!

Question from Melissa - Statue of Anne at Blickling Hall

Hi. I was just reading Agnes Strickland's book on the queens of England, and when she talks about Anne Boleyn, she mentions a statue of her at Blickling Hall. Does anyone know if this statue is still extant? None of Anne's other biographers mention it, which leads me to believe it either turned out to be a fake, or, more likely, has since been destroyed or lost. Any info? Thanks.

Question from Jessica - Monopolies cancelled by Elizabeth I

It is claimed that Elizabeth I cancelled some monopolies after much lively debate in the Parliament of 1601. Do you know which onopolies (or who held them) were cancelled?

Thanks,
Jess

Question from Thamina - Tudor horse tack

I am setting up a dollhouse Tudor Inn, what kind of tack,(saddle, bridle, etc.), would the horses wear? A merchant and minor noble would be what i am looking for.

Question from Elizabeth M - Sources for Ethelreda, possible daughter of Henry VIII

I have just started reading AFTER ELIZABETH, by Leanda de Lisle, and I have found something I have never come across before. She mentions very early on that Henry VIII had an illegitimate daughter named Ethelreda. I knew about Henry Fitzroy, and the arguments that Mary Boleyn's two children may have been fathered by Henry. But I have never heard of Ethelreda. Henry never acknowledged her? What is known about her? Were there other children fathered by Henry that were not acknowledged by him? Where did Ms. de Lisle find out about Ethelreda?

[She has popped up in other threads about possible bastards of Henry VIII, which I've linked to below. There are a lot of other discussions on this site about unacknowledged children of Henry VIII which can be found by searching on "bastard", "illegitimate", "mistress", etc. - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/10/question-from-lilly-possible.html

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/05/question-from-elizabeth-more-possible.html

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/01/question-from-elizabeth-questions-on.html

Question from Lovey - Mary I and pardons of Katherine Howard and others

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answered for me.

I once read that when Mary 1 came to the throne she issue a pardon for "Katherine Howard". Does anyone know why she would do that? (beside the fact that Katherine Howard was catholic,that is) Considering that there were rumors that she didn't get along with Katherine Howard. When issuing a pardon to someone who is deceased , what exactly do it entail?
Who else had Mary 1 pardon when she came to the throne?

Question from Louise - Tips for travel to London

I'm going to England in February. I have six days. I've been once before but it wasn't "my" trip, so I didn't get to choose the sites to see.

Can I get some tips?

I have been to Westminster. I NEED to see the Tower. I have heard good things about the British Museum and the Museum of London. So I'll be visiting those. I just got a tip on the National Portrait Gallery's audio tour. What else?

Also, as fellow Tudor lovers, any suggestions of other aspects of British history that might interest me and be accessible to me during my trip?

[Like with the book suggestions posts, it never hurts to have additional discussion on travel suggestions, especially with new exhibits, etc. coming along every so often. - Lara]

Question from Rachel - Thomas Cromwell's execution

I recently read on a message board that the author Karen Harper in her book "The Last Boleyn" states that Thomas Cromwell was drawn, quartered and then beheaded. I always assumed Cromwell was granted a simple beheading. Does anyone know which sentence he was given?

Question from Nikki - Henry VIII's greatest successes

what were king henry the eighth's three greatest successes?

Question from Orla - Younger brother of Catherine of Aragon

Hi, I know this isn't exactly about the Tudors more about Catherine of Aragon, but has anyone every came across that she had a younger brother named Pedro who was born from 1488 and died young in 1490? I came across this once, but haven't found anything else on it.

Reason why I want to know is that Pedro (if he was real) would have been second in line for the Spanish throne (behind Prince Juan)and in 1490 the eldest daughter of Fernando and Isabella married the heir to the Portugeuse throne Afonso, he was killed in a horse accident 6 months later and apparently under mysterious circumstances and I read that Fernando and Isabella had tried every trick in the book to stop that marriage from happening as it was a term in a treaty to end the Castilian sucession wars.

Question from Joanne - Tower and Dressed to Kill exhibition

After browsing you website, I seen the list of events about Henry VIII 500th anniversary, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Tower of London's Dressed to kill exhibition! We were not allowed to take any photographs of his actual armour but I do have some fantastic photos (available on request!) of that day at the tower, the tower was buzzing with people, exhibitions, shows and characters, it was defiantly a day to remember. Hopefully this will be of some interest to other Tudor fans

Many thanks
Joanne

Question from Laurel - Greenwich Palace and Edward VI's burial

I am starting a Tudor novel, obviously historical fiction, centered around Edward VI. The floor plan of Old Greenwich Place is vital, especially the room where Edward died, & that room's access to the paddock. Is it true OGP has been demolished??? I was hoping to visit one day. I live in Ann Arbor MI, USA, & travel won't happen soon. Also, cannot afford the highly recommended books--but I've been wanting to write this novel forever. So is there anyway I can get the floor plan for free or at a discount; WAS the old place demolished; also, just exactly where is Edward interred? With his grandfather in Westminster Abbey? (I have a twist on what happened after he died, possibly a true story.)

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

Not a school project. I'm 58 & curious.

[Previous thread on Edward VI's burial linked below. - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/04/question-from-joyce-edward-vis-death.html

Question from SarahAnne - Books with important Tudor documents

I am looking to purchase a book with the important Tudor documents, but don't want to purchase the wrong one! I would prefer not to buy tons of books, so I was wondering if there are any especially good compilations. Any suggestions?

I recently found one entitled "Tudor Constitutional Documents" by J.R. Tanner. It covers the years 1485-1603. Has anyone read this? Would this be a good book to start out with?

Question from SarahAnne - Further reading suggestions

I read a lot about The Tudors, but I'm not sure how to find the best and most accurate books to read and the most credited historians/authors.

I have read a lot by Alison Weir and Eric Ives lately and like them.

However what other authors should I look into? I am interested in it all, whether it is a biography or an historical document from the period! For example, has there ever been a book published on Chapuys writings? I would really appreciate any help that would further my "quality" of future Tudor learning! Thank you!

[Some previous similar threads are linked below. This is a topic that never hurts to have come up again and again since there are always so many new Tudor books coming out! - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/03/question-from-amy-essential-reading.html

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/07/question-from-kat-looking-for-book.html

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org2008/04/question-from-sarah-book.html

And some fiction recommendations:
https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/01/question-from-olivia-fiction-book.html

Question from Elizabeth M - Record of Jane Grey commenting on Anne Boleyn's religious beliefs

I am currently reading Leanda de Lisle's book on the Grey sisters, and in it, she points out that Jane Grey had respect for Princess Elizabeth and her religious beliefs. Is there any record of Jane ever praising Anne Boleyn for her promotion of evangelical ideology or acknowledging the debt the evangelical movement in England owed to her?

Happy New Year!

Question from Elizabeth M - Did Anne Boleyn and Kathryn Howard ever meet

Has there ever been any documentation found that Anne Boleyn and her cousin, Katherine Howard, ever met?

[I thought this one had already been asked, but I couldn't find it in the archives. It's possible that I'm thinking of a thread on my email list though. - Lara]

Question from Hayley - Meaning of Anne Boleyn's motto

Hi,

Im very interested in Anne Boleyns history and have read many books on her. One thing i cant seem to find is one definate definition to what she meant by her motto "The Most Happy". Could be please explain what Anne's motto meant and why she used it?

Thank You

Word verification now required for commenting

I apologize in advance to anyone who hates these things, but I had to turn on word verification for comments. I was starting to get a LOT of spam comments lately, so it was a choice between banning anonymous comments or turning on word verification, so I decided to go with the verification step. Thanks for your understanding!

Question from Katlyn - Follow-up on previous research help question

Hello everyone! I'm Katlyn; I posted a question here a few months back with questions for preliminary research for a big Henry VIII-oriented paper I'm doing this year in college. Now, with Lara's leave, I would like to ask about sources again, but this time I am looking for more ideas about primary sources for my narrowed-down focuses.

My paper will be a comparison between the careers of Wolsey and Cromwell, comparing specific aspects of their careers and their relationship with Henry, and in the context of this I want to examine the downfall of each man and relate it to historiographical questions about faction and the king's displeasure.

So in general, primary sources that I already have include:
Life and Letters of Cromwell in 2 Volumes (Merriman)
Life and Death of Wolsey (Cavendish)
Tudor Royal Proclamations
Some letters from the Pilgrimage of Grace participants
Random accounts found in secondary source books.

Specific topics I want to examine in my paper include:
Wolsey: the nature of his ambition, his changing relationship with the king, his hand in foreign politics and his French persuasion (i.e. Field of Cloth of Gold), his participation in the Duke of Buckingham affair, the failure of the Amicable Grant, his extravagance, his failure in the Great Matter and his subsequent actions prior to the treason charges.

Cromwell: the way in which his career in government began, the nature of his service to the king, his relationship with and affinity to the king, his part in the fall of Anne Boleyn, his religious reforms - I would like to try to examine his religious persuasions but realize that this is probably out of my reach! - his efforts to find Henry a wife, his involvement in investigating the Pole conspiracy, and his very sudden disfavor and downfall.

In each case I want to examine the presence of political faction and what sort of role it played under the specific circumstances. From this I think I want to draw some conclusions about the political atmosphere, the presence of the New Men, the nature of Henry when it came to protecting or sacrificing an advisor, and whatever else seems to come up. (I realize I may not have enough room for all!)

So far I have been using the following secondary sources:
In the Lion's Court (Wilson), The Cardinal and the Secretary (Williams), Henry VIII and the Mask of Royalty (Baldwin Smith), The Pilgrimage of Grace and the Politics of the 1530s (can't remember the author), and plan to use Ives' biography of Anne Boleyn for the basis of Cromwell's involvement in her career). I have heard that McEntegart's book on the Cleves marriage would probably be useful. Should I maybe add Scarisbrick on Henry VIII?

Any suggestions for what primary sources I might be able to utilize for the topics listed above would be quite useful. In addition, if anyone knows where I might be able to find some of the rarer ones (chronicles, ambassadors' accounts - I don't read Italian, Latin or French, unfortunately), that would be useful as I am new to searching out such things. I'm sorry for asking so many questions! Feel free to just pick one and answer it if you have the time. I would appreciate the help so much. Thank you all!!

Question from Haven - Jane Boleyn and the Field of of Cloth of Gold

I've been reading to my mother the book about Jane Boleyn by Julia Fox. MY mother wants to know what picture there are of the Field of Cloth of Gold and if there's any surviving fabric from the tents. What I want to know if this book is a reliable source. Thank you.

[Related threads linked below. - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/11/question-from-rachel-opinions-of-jane.html

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/11/question-from-kayleigh-field-of-cloth.html

Question from Jacque - More on wardship

I often see references to aristocratic children in Tudor times going to be brought up or raised in the household of another aristocratic family or person. Was this the same thing as wardship or is there a difference? Also, regarding wardship, if a child was made a ward while their parents were still living (I'm thinking of a situation like Lady Jane Grey's where I think she became Thomas Seymour's ward while her parents were still living) could the guardianship of that child ever be legally returned to their parents even if their guardian was still alive? Or could they only go back to their parents if their guardian died?

Question from Rosa - Wardship of orphans

In the 1520's, if a child of a knight was orphaned, would that child become a royal ward? And if so, who would have control over her wardship? Was it automatically the King or could the child be a ward to a noble associated with her family?

[Related thread linked below - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/05/question-from-jacquie-orhapns.html

Question from Victoria - Sources for essay on Protector Somerset

I am writing an essay on 'What was the significance of Protector Somersets actions in provoking disorder and rebellion?' I am an A Level Student and am 17 years old.

Im looking at things like the religious reform, economic issues as well as things beyond his control like harvest failures and the fact that in regards to foreign policy it was not necessarily his own actions that provked problems but instead was the situation left by Henry VIII.

I have to include a variety of Primary and Secondary sources in this and am having a great deal of difficulty in finding relevant onces.
I would appreciate any general help in this.

Thanks

Question from James - Denny biography of Anne Boleyn

What is the general view on this site of Joanna Denny's biography of Anne Boleyn? the critics slated it but i thought it was well written and researched.

[Previous related thread linked below. - Lara]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/10/question-from-marie-opinions-on-joanna.html