Question from Elizabeth M - Biography of Margaret Douglas

Has there ever been a biography of Lady Margaret Douglas? She is such a fascinating character. Her life was one of foiled love affairs, intrigue, and ambition. Are there any rumors of a forthcoming biography of her. There really should be, as she is one of the more colorful characters of the Tudor period.

Question from Mark - Opinions on David Starkey

What do people think of David Starkey? Is his work accurate or a bit sensationalist?

He recently criticised female historians for focusing more on the personalities of Henry VIII and his wives than in Henry VIII's historical significance. Do you think this is fair?

[For some related threads, just search on "Starkey" on the site since his name comes up a lot here! - Lara]

Question from Anon - Eye glasses

Did Henry VIII wear glasses?

Question from Ella - Jousting

What was jousting?

Question from Carlyn - Elizabeth's make-up and mirrors in old age

Hi everyone,

I am researching Elizabeth I’s wardrobe, and cosmetics for a future children’s book project and I came across something that has got me stumped. In one of Ben Johnson’s antidotes of Queen Elizabeth he wrote, “Queen Elizabeth never saw herself, after she became old, in a true glass : They painted her, and sometimes would vermilion her nose.” (The “they” he is referring to are her ladies-in-waiting)

Obviously, Johnson was no fan of Elizabeth. Could he be the source for the rumor that Elizabeth I destroyed all her mirrors in her old age? Is that really true? A clueless Elizabeth with a red nose would sure make a funny illustration, but I find it hard to believe that her ladies-in -waiting would dare to mock their queen. Plus, I really can't trust Johnson as a source. Does anyone know of any other sources mentioning Elizabeth or any other Elizabethan lady putting red on her nose?

Or was putting vermillion on your nose considered attractive?

Question from Anon - Opinions on "Early Loves of Anne Boleyn"

What do people think of the book, 'The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn'. It sounds like a great topic but has bad Amazon reviews. Has anyone read it?

Question from Ella - Henry VIII talking during Mass

Is it true that Henry VIII would talk during mass, even having meetings? If so, was this normal or considered rude?

Question from Orla - Possible portrait of Henry Brandon Earl of Lincoln

I was recently looking up info on Mary Tudor Brandon's son Henry Brandon Earl of Lincoln, the second one who was meant to marry Katherine Willoughby but his father did. Anyway I came across a website that said her son has a portrait. It's the one that has been identified as Edward VI by Hans Holbein the one with the boy holding the monkey. It stated that recent scholars have now identified it as young Henry Brandon. I did always think it was odd that a boy that close to the throne and a nephew of Henry VIII by his favourite sister, didn't have a portrait. But I was wondering if anyone came across this also and if they knew who these scholars are or if it's written in a book. The website had no source.

Question from Tracey - Author Elizabeth Norton

The author, Elizabeth Norton. She seems to crank-out Tudor-related biographies about every three months. It's just been noticed that two more biographies by her are slated for publication- one dealing with Margaret Beaufort.

What sort of writer is she? Can her 'facts' be believed? Is she 'scholarly', or of the Alison Weir mode? Is there depth to her work, or just general information? I have never read her works, none are available in my local library, or for inter-library loan.

I will admit to being interested in the Margaret Beaufort publication, but would like to have some idea of what to expect.

Question from Nella - Tudor sites to visit in Suffolk

Hello,
this seems to be a very good site to ask my question.
I will go to England in the summer (I'm from Italy)and want to know which places you would recommend me the most. I have never been to England before but I am deeply interested in the Tudors (especially Henry VIII and his sisters).
I'll spend most of my time arouns Ipswich/Suffolk. Are there any good Tudor places nearby?
Thank you very much!

Question from Kelly - Similarities among the wives of Henry VIII

I am a big fan of the Tudor Era in England, and especially of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Were there certain wives thats behavior was more similar to others? Were any of them alike???

Question from Sarah - Tudor fertility remedies

Does anyone know what treatments women may have had for fertility problems during the reign of Henry VIII? And do we know of any of the women at the court using them?

Question from Drew - Doctor Harman

I have been told that there is a portrait of Henry VIII with his physicians in attendance.
In this portrait the physicians/doctors have names of which one, I'm led to believe, is "Harman".
Could you shed some light on this portrait and are there any historical details of "Doctor Harman"
Sharing a common surname both myself and family have an interest in this subject.

Question from Anonymous - Birthdate of Laetitia Knollys

First of all, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to Lara for creating this site - it's absolutely brilliant! I've been using it for a while now and I'd just like to say how amazing I think it is. It's an absolute goldmine of information. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

My query is just regarding the birthdate of Laetitia Knollys. I'm a bit confused because I always assumed that it was impossible to pinpoint an exact birthdate for her, but then I came across a site saying that she was born on 8 November 1543. It was on Wikipedia (which I know is unreliable) but also several other sites as well. I've always thought Laetitia was born before then anyway - maybe c.1540-41. I'd just like to know everyone else's opinions about when she was more likely to have been born. And does anyone know of any substantial evidence to support the birthdate given by Wikipedia?

Question from Anne - Henry VIII's and Katherine Parr's religious beliefs

Just found your site. Very interesting!

I have been watching The Tudors (yes, I know...fiction...but loving it all the same) and I'm really confused.

Henry broke from the Rome and formed the English church. Surely Katerine Parr and he were on the same page religiously? She was a protestant was she? Wouldn't Henry also have become a prodestant when he broke from the catholic church?

Why was KP charged with heresy?

Many thanks,

Anne

Question from Carol Anne - Quote from Henry VIII on the pardon of a murderer

I am doing research to determine if the following account is true or fictional. It has been said that at one point during his reign, King Henry VIII pardoned a murderer. The man was set free, but committed another murder.
Someone asked King Henry to pardon him again. He is purported to have said, "No. I will not pardon him again. He killed the first man. But by pardoning him, I killed the second."
Do you have any information on whether or not this is a true story?
Thank you so much. this is definitely not a school assignment! I am 63 years of age.

Question from Patricia - Information on Thomas Stuckely and Henry VIII's will

i would like as much information as i can. on
thomas stuckely. son of sir hugh stuckley. of
affeton. what i want is the proof of sir
thomas steuckelys background. i need the
information on his illegimacey.

has anyone got any proof that sir thomas was
the son of henry viii and mary berkeley.

did henry the viii leave a will. i did
try for a medieval post mortem. but i don't
think there is one on sir thomas stucleky.

can anyone help me and give me suggestions
on how to find henry viii will. and how
to find out about sir thomas stucley
iiegtmatecy. what do i look for and where do i
look.


thank you for your help patricia

Question from Colleen - Pre-Elizabethan banking system

I'm looking for specifics on the banking system (if there was one) in pre-Elizabethan England. Namely, did rich people and nobility keep their money in banks or stored within vaults (or other storage methods) inside their homes? Did they keep it in gold form, or did they invest it in valuable items such as jewelry? I haven't been able to find much information on this so any help is appreciated!!

Question from Stacey - Thomas Tallis

I recently watched season 1 of The Tudors. I am fascinated by all Tudor things & recognize that the series is grossly inaccurate. My question today is about the character Thomas Tallas....is he supposed to be Mark Smeaton? If not, who is he supposed to represent?

Question from Sharon - Kathryn Howard's final speech

I found Katherine of Howards fianle comment before her beheading in which she states she wishes she were dying as the wife of Thomas Culpepper brave and heartfelt and also heart breaking.Are they in fact recorded as to what she actually said?

Question from Bron - Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

The Mariage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Several modern historians suggest the wedding was in London on the 25th January 1533.

However, the Tudor chronicler, Edward Hall, says:

“The king, after his return [from Calais] married privily the Lady Anne Bulleyn on Saint Erkenwald’s Day, which marriage was kept so secret that very few knew it, till she was great with child, at Easter after.”

When, in your opinion, would a woman who gives birth early in September be deemed to be ‘great with child’?

Ives points out that St Erkenwald’s Day was the day after the couple returned to Dover, Thursday the 14th November 1532.

Protestants preferred this date, as it meant that Elizabeth, born 7th September 1533, was conceived within marriage.

A birth on 7 September would imply a conception in December. What are the parameters here?

A wedding date of the 25th January would mean a gestation of only some 7 months, presuming conception took place immediately. Even Nicholas Sanders dates Henry and Anne’s marriage as the 14th November, so Ives wonders if Henry and Anne made some kind of formal commitment in November, prior to another wedding ceremony in January.

It is said that ‘At the wedding on 25 January 1533, we have William Brereton, recently married to Elizabeth Somerset, the widow of Sir John Savage, younger sister to Henry Somerset, 2nd earl of Worcester. Sir John Savage’s sister, Anne Savage, lady-in-waiting and companion to Anne Boleyn, attended the wedding and carried the bride’s train.’ William Brereton’s recently acquired brother-in-law, Henry Somerset, 2nd earl of Worcester, who was not present, had married Elizabeth Browne as his second wife (before 1527), and although Elizabeth Browne was a lady in waiting, she was not invited either. It was Elizabeth Browne’s evidence regarding Anne’s alleged promiscuity which would later destroy most of the people present.

In your opinion, are these details fanciful? Do we know anything at all about the January wedding?

[Previous related thread linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/07/question-from-ann-anne-and-henrys.html

Question from Alex - Comparing Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn for project

I am doing a group project about the six wives of Henry the VIII for grade 11 English. My job is to cover the first two wives of Henry VIII; Catherine and Anne. I want to be able to compare them...their differences and similarities but I am having a difficult time finding any information. I was also wondering if you would have any suggestions on an interesting topic or main theme I could base these two historical figures on? Furthermore, do you recommend any other great websites besides this one(which is awesome):)

Thank you so much:) Your help will be greatly appreciated:)

Question from Julia - Renaissance architecture sources

Hi! I wonder if you now any information (books or webpage) about renaissaince on england related to architecture. Thank you.
Julia.

Question from Katie - Steven Gunn's bio of Charles Brandon

Hi everybody,

I am deserately looking for the book "Charles Brandon. Duke of Suffolk" by Steven Gunn.
Unfortunately it is out of print.
Has anybody an idea where I can get the book from?

Thanks :)

Question from Alexandrea - Another George Boleyn

I've been reading through this Q&A blog for a few days (and I've looked through the main site for basic info) and I have to say how much I appreciate what you've done! First off, I have to admit that I've only read basic info and fictional texts about the Tudors.

My question is a two-parter. I've seen it said around several non-reputable sites that George Boleyn (Viscount of Richmond) and his wife had a son, also named George Boleyn who was around during Elizabeth I's reign. I've never read anything dealing with Richmond's son before, so I wondered if it had any truth to it. Other sources say that he was a distant relative of Elizabeth I's. So would be it be possible if he were a descendant of Mary Boleyn's? I know little to nothing about Mary Boleyn or her children.

[Just a note of correction/clarification - it should be Rochford, not Richmond. - Lara]