Question from Teresa - Katherine Howard's age

Hello everyone, I am a very big Tudor fan and have been trying to find out how old Katherine "kitty" howard was when she married king henry VIII and when she was beheaded. I tried googling it but i got three completely different answers saying she was 15, and then saying she was 17 and finally saying she was 19 when she married the king. I was hoping someone might be able to help me find the right age. Thanks for all the help and god bless.

[There was an old discussion about this from about three years ago, but I figured it couldn't hurt to have a new discussion on it. - Lara]

Question from Alia - Anne Boleyn's favorite color

Hi, I'm an Anne Boleyn fanatic, and I'm wondering if it is known what her favorite color was. Google left me with more questions, as I got about 5 different answers. Thank you!

Question from Stephanie - Seymour's wife and Culpepper's head on "The Tudors"

Hi Everyone, I have a 2 part "The Tudors" TV show question:

1- Who is the man that is sleeping with one of the Seymour's wives? I looked it up and I believe his name is Lord Surrey? But I can't find any information on him as that was just a title. He seems very treacherous!

2- Is it true that Katherine Howard saw Thomas Culpepper's head on a spike in the tower of London, or did they just take artistic license? (I have a feeling it's artistic license!)

Thanks Everyone!!!

Question from Stephanie - Katherine Parr's involvement in Elizabeth's cut dress incident

Hi Everyone, I have a rather disturbing question but I am wondering if anyone has any information on this. Recently, I was reading about Katherine Parr, Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth. I already knew that allegedly Thomas and Elizabeth had a rather inappropriate relationship, but in one article there was a story about Katherine being a part of the "games" that Thomas and Elizabeth played together. Namely one story where Katherine held down Elizabeth while Thomas cut open some "black dress" with his sword. This shocked me because I didn't think Katherine had any part of this relationship, let alone participated in something this twisted. Does anyone know anything about this?

Question from Lori - Elizabethan military

I am in grade 9 and am doing a school project on the warfare of the Elizabethan era. I am having trouble finding information on the military and how they fought, specifically on land (i.e. did they fight on horses, behind forts,with what wepapons, etc.). Thanks in advance.

Question from Lucy - Duties and positions in the Queen's household

Were the Queen's Apartments just like the King's in everyway? Did she have a Master of the Stool, Lord Chamberlain and everything else.

How many of the Queen's "people" were women? Was the Master of the Stool a woman or was it different title? The Queen had Ladies in Waiting and Maids of Honour but what's the difference?

Question from Jacque - Mother of Gertrude Courtenay, Marchioness of Exeter

I have seen conflicting information regarding Gertrude Courtenay, Marchioness of Exeter (the daughter of William Blount, Lord Mountjoy)'s mother. Apparently Lord Mountjoy was married four times, to Elizabeth Say, to Inez de Vanegas, to Alice Kebel and to Dorothy Grey. There appears to be some confusion regarding which of his children had which mother, but I am mostly interested in who Gertrude's mother was, since I have seen her listed as both Elizabeth Say and Inez de Vanegas. In Weir's "Henry VIII: The King and His Court," it says Gertrude's mother was Maria de Salinas, but I think she must have mixed Maria up with Inez de Vanegas because as far as I know Maria de Salinas was never married to Lord Mountjoy!

Question from Ally - Purpose and effects of images of Elizabeth

hi, currently in our NCEA level 3 class (7th form) we are studying Elizabeth I reign. i wanted to know if you had any information on images of Elizabeth that were created during (and after) her reign. what was the purpose and the effects of these images?

Question from Gabby - Privy Council v. Members of Privy Chamber

What's the difference between members of the privy council and members of the privy chamber? Are they the same?

Question from Liz- Introductions at court

I'm attempting to write a novel set in the Tudor court. My main character, Sarah, wasn't known at court until after she married her husband, John. What I've been trying to find out is, would Henry have seen her around and asked for an introduction, or would there been more of a formal introduction, or possibly even some other mode of introduction? I've been doing research on my own and this is something I haven't come across yet.Thanks for the help.

Question from Mona - Castles v. types of houses

Hi! I have a question about what defines a castle v. greater house v. lesser house.

I know that greater houses housed the entire court and lesser houses often time only had room for the King and a few choice companions. But is that all the seperates them? Also is a lesser house also considered a manor?

I also did some reading that mentioned when Greenwich was built it was considered revolutionary for it's time because it was the first royal household that was first and foremost a residence. Is castle just a greater household with fortifications? Did the rooms and apartments differ in a castle?

Sorry I know that that's really more than one question!

Thanks :D

Question from Helen - Lady Rochford's motivation in helping Kathryn Howard

Lady Rochford was mentioned in Katherine Howard's letter that showed the queen's relationship with her lover. Lady Rochford helped to organize secret meetings. I wonder what motives would lady Rochford have to do so? Why was she helping the queen? She knew that it was criminal and punishment would follow if that was discovered. She was familiar with punishments for treason, as in the case with her ex-husband.

Question from Nikki - Choice of Kathryn Howard's method of execution

As a final act of "kindness", Henry allowed Anne to be beheaded by a sword instead of an ax. Why didn't he do this for Katharine Howard?

Question from Lillie - Use of the term "Protestant"

My understanding is that original term for protestantism is as follows:the term "Protestant" historically referred to those who broke their allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church. And I know that Martin Luther started the movement in roughly 1517.

What am I wondering is during Tudor times were protestant people refered to as Lutherans or Protestants? Techincally is anyone who broke with the catholic church was protestant then lollardy would be protestants too?

Question from Emily - Records of Catherine of Aragon's annulment trial

I was recently researching Catherine of Aragon, while preparing to audition with the "Sir, I desire you do me right and justice" monologue from Shakespeare's Henry VIII. I saw in several places (the infamous wikipedia being one of them) that the speech as it appears in Shakespeare's play is almost exactly what Queen Catherine said during the Legatine Trial. However, I have been unable to find the "historical records" alluded to in these references. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, if these records are available?

Thanks,
A curious Shakespearean actress.

Question from Raven - Henry and Anne hearing news of Catherine's death

I'm doing research on a book I'm writing but I can't seem to find the exact palace where Henry and Anne received news of Queen Katherine's death in January 1536. I know where the festivities and the joust that injured him on the 24th of that month took place but I want to verify they were still at the same residence or had they moved? It seems highly unlikely during a harsh winter they would've been able to move their entire court a mere two weeks after her death but I have been unable to find any precise information on where they where when they heard the news. Anywhere you can direct me would be most helpful.

Thanks!

Question from Jacob - Oranges in Tudor England

I'm having trouble finding an accurate answer to the following question: approximately how many oranges, both bitter and sweet, were imported into Britain yearly during the first 50 years of the 16th century?

I'm also looking for an early English description of the orange.

Question from MsMeli - Henry VIII not being buried in Westminster Abbey

I'm wondering why wasnt King Henry buried in W. abbey? Why did he choose to be buried with Jane Seymour when he had a 6th wife?

[Related thread re: burial with Jane linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/06/question-from-antonia-henrys-burial.html

Question from Stacey - Documentaries on Mary I

I have 2 questions - one, was Anne Boleyn pregnant when she was executed? I have read & seen several things that say she was & then there are others that don't mention it.
Also, does anybody know of a documentary on Mary I? Other than her parts in other documentaries, I can't really find one on her.

[The first question was addressed in the thread below. I think someone has said that Weir has since changed her mind on the hypothesis. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/07/question-from-elizabeth-m-anne-b.html

Question from Jo-Anne - Properties confiscated from Margaret Beaufort under Richard III

Does anyone know the names of the castles and estates that were confiscated from Lady Margaret Beaufort under Richard III and subsequently restored to her by her son Henry VII?

Question from Bron - Practicalities of Fleeing Protestant England

I have been reading about Doctor John Clements, who married Sir Thomas More’s adopted daughter, Margaret Giggs, in 1526. Margaret and John seem to have lived at Bucklersbury in London and, from 1545, to have also had a country house at Hornchurch in Essex. They had one son, Thomas, the godson of More; and five daughters, Winifred, Bridget, Helen, Dorothy and Margaret. The eldest girl, Winifred, married Thomas More's nephew, William Rastell.

Following the accession of Edward VI in 1547 Clement left the country for Louvain in July 1549, being joined there by his wife in October. Clement was one of those who were specifically exempted from the general pardon later granted by Edward.

There are two fascinating inventories of the Clement’s family possessions resulting from various court cases he undertook to regain them, after returning during Mary’s reign. The library at Bucklersbury alone contained 302 books.

It appears the Clements just walked out. That got me thinking about the logistics of such departures.

I note also that in 1550 the wealthy Italian merchant and More family friend, Bonvisi, with his family, "against his allegiance," as the inquisition taken shortly after recites, "went and departed out of England into the parts beyond the sea, without license, and against the force, form and effect of a statute and certain proclamation in that behalf made, published, and proclaimed.'' It would appear also that at the same time Bonvisi’s leaseholders in Crosby Place, the Rooper and Rastell families, were likewise "departed beyond sea," by which means, and ‘in pursuance with the effect of the above-mentioned statute and inquisition, their estates and effects became forfeited.’

So, my questions are as follows:

Was absolute secrecy essential? What would you do with your moveable possessions in such circumstances? (There don’t appear too many options.) How would you survive financially while you were overseas? Obviously you could only carry so much coin and jewellery. Were you searched on your departure? Alternatively, were there ‘letters of credit’ redeemable at your destination? Why the tendency to go to Louvain, and why was Portugal not a popular destination?

Question from Ryan - Book recommendation on details of court life

I am looking for a book and I was hoping someone here could help me. I'm looking for a book that would give detailed information about court life. The various Lords, their duties, the break down of households and how positions were made available. I'm looking for something very detailed and very accurate. I want to understand not only how the goverment broke down but how a royal household broke down for Kings, Queens, Dowager Queens, ect.

I was also looking for a book the gave an overview of all of England during Tudor times. Political and Religious climate, agriculture.

I know these are probably very different books :)

Any help is greatly appreciated

Question from Sara Jane - Scandal of Kathryn Howard's age on "The Tudors"

Also on the show. they make it a mini scandal that Catherine is only 17 but at that time is that really considered that young for marriage?

Question from Sara Jane - Spanish ambassador at Henry's court

On season 4 of the tudors-the spanish ambassador is still there even though the King is on is second to last wife. Is this historically accurate? why is he still there I know he is an ambassador but it seems he was there mostly to help katherine

Question from Taryn - Inevitability of Anne Boleyn's execution

Hi, I'm a long-time lurker first-time questioner. I love the Tudor period of history but I'm very much an amateur, and my question is more opinion than anything else.
Knowing what we know of Henry VIII's personality and behavior (through letters and first-hand accounts and whatnot), can anyone speculate whether there was anything that Anne Boleyn could have done differently during and after the divorce process to save her head (short of having a son)? Or was her beheading inevitable?