Question from Gail - Duties of a gentleman usher

Can you describe the duties of a "gentleman usher" in Henry VIII's household? Thanks.

Question from Sam - Elizabeth fencing and shooting as a child

Is it true that queen Elizabeth I as a child taught to fence and shoot? Thanks for any response.

Question from Patricia - Anne Boleyn's French

What do you think about Anne Boleyn’s handwriting “Le temps viendra, Je, Anne Boleyn”
Love, wedding, coronation, birth, death: According to you, when did she write it and what was she talking about when she wrote this note?
Anne was English and spoke French. "Je" sounds like a little mistake. She used it like "I" in English. In French, we say “Moi”.
This is a very affecting detail.

Question from Alexandra - Another guardianship scenario

Good afternoon,

I am writing a novel based in Tudor times (1584), and have a slightly convoluted question(s) regarding guardianship, illegitimacy, and inheritance laws.
My research has pointed me here.

I have looked elsewhere on this site, and whilst have found some answers, which have helped a great deal, I am still unsure as to the following points.

I have the following scenario. A young illegitimate child is sent to live with her only living relative – her very rich uncle – on her mother’s death bed.

The child has nothing to her name.
The uncle takes in the child and he becomes her guardian.

The uncle has a wife, a son and two daughters.

Would the uncle have become her guardian immediately, or would he have had to apply to the crown to gain wardship (is this correct term?) over the child?

Could this be done even though the child is illegitimate and the Uncle has no idea who the father was?

Would the Uncle also have to apply for legitimacy for the child?

Would the uncle be able to state in his will that the child is to be provided for, and looked after, by the uncle’s family, after his death? In which case would the guardianship of the child automatically pass to the son? Would the uncle also be able to state if the child was to have a dowry in the same will?

I hope you can help – I imagine this is all very complex – but if you could point me in the right direction, or give me a brief basic outline as to the above, I would be very grateful.

is any of the above likely or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely?

Many thanks in advance.

Alexandra

Question from Maud - Tudor Rose at Holyrood Palace

Silly question maybe but I'm a big Tudor and Stuart freak. I recently visited Edinburgh for the second time and checked out Holyrood Palace for the second time (to show my boyfriend).

He mentioned to me and asked me at the same time "Is that the Tudor rose" when pointing to a big chair. He could be right because it looked almost exactly like the Tudor Rose.

So we went on and I kept seeing it everywhere. The symbol was on chairs, fireplaces, ceilings. So my question is: is this the Tudor Rose? I guess it isn't, I can't imagine it but it sure does look like it.

I tried Googling for a sort of "Stuart" rose but can't find anything. Does anybody know more about this mysterious symbol?

Question from Michael - Burial vault in St. George's Chapel

I am so curious about the royal vault in st. georges chapel. I would love to see a sketch or a photo of the layout,etc.....where exactly is it located under the chapel.....how do you gain access.......what do the niches look like......are the remains of the coffins on shelves lying open to the air,etc......where exactly in the vault was King George the 6th left for 19 years until he was moved to the niche in the main part of the chapel......I have visited Windsor 5 times in the last twenty years and every time I visit the chapel I wonder who I am walking over and where,etc.....how big is /are the vaults.....when was the last time it was opened.....the lucky custodial staff has a firsthand view into history.....must they sign confidentiality agreements.....ANY information on the vault would be greatly appreciated.....research and curiosity abound......thanks.......Mike

Question from Renee - Differences in punishments between upper and lower classes

Hi there, I am a year 13 student doing an assignment on "crime and punishment in early Tudor-Stuart England". I have 3 questions on this topic that i must answer, but I am having trouble finding information to answer one of my questions;

-Was their a distinguishable difference between the punishments endured by the upper class nobility to the lower class in Tudor-Stuart England?

If anyone has documentarys, photos, websites or books they could refer me too, it would be very appreciated.

Thanks heaps(:

Question from Nick - Elizabeth I's other motto

I wanted to ask about origin of the motto of the queen Elizabeth I "video et taceo". Thanks for any response.

Question from Patricia - Anne Boleyn as Henry VIII's great love

Don't you think that finally, Anne Boleyn was Henri's only great love ?

[Some similar past threads linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/01/question-from-leigh-jane-seymour-was.html

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/10/question-from-marie-which-wife-did.html

Question from Jo - Origin of Elizabeth I's motto

How did Elizabeth i took her motto "semper eadem" frome her mother or writes Alison Weir in her book frome lady Tyrwhitt?

Question from Val - Boat Anne of Cleves traveled to England on

Please can any one confirm, conclusively, on which boat Anne of Cleves travelled to England.

I just cannot find confirmation as to the one she was onboard when they actually sailed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my request.

Question from Monica - A Narrative of the Pursuit of English Refugees in Germany Under Queen Mary

Anyone know where I can find online the transcript of "A Narrative of the Pursuit of English Refugees in Germany Under Queen Mary" by John Bret?

Question from Tudor Fan - Henry's potential career in the Church if Arthur had lived

Hello!
For the past few weeks one matter has been on my mind. Many people claim that Henry VII Tudor wanted his son Henry (later Henry VIII) to become a member of the Church. However Arthur Tudor's death meant that Henry became heir to the throne.

My questions is - if Arthur had lived, and Henry wanted to join the Church - how his career would have looked like? Could he had start from being a simple priest? I assume that Henry would have probably became Archbishop of Canterbury (the highest rank in Church) and Cardinal (appointed by Pope) and perhaps also Lord Chancellor. But as the king's brother (still assuming that Arthur had lived) would he had retained the title of Duke of York?

And also - if Katherine of Aragon bore a son by Arthur while Arthur was still alive, what title this boy would have had? Arthur was a Prince of Wales (usually first son has this title) and Henry was a Duke of York. Would that mean that this child as an heir presumptive also held the title of Prince of Wales?

Thank you for your time :-)

Question from Monica - MPs in the 1560s

How important was the role of MP in the 1560s? How much influence did it give you, and was the pay good? How much did you have to do?

Question from Ruth - History of the Great Hall at Hampton Court

What is the history of the architecture and construction of the Great Hall, Hampton Court Palace?

Principally, it's the Stained-glass windows I'm interested in: although I realise that they are not the originals, I guess that they are copied from the originals(?) Any information as to who the original artists/designers were and when they were first installed would be of great help.

I have trawled thro' masses of reference material (including Simon Thurley's Thesis), but can find nothing specific. I am awaiting a copy of Jonathan Foyle's paper via JSTOR, but it has not yet been forthcoming (and may not have the desired info!)

Question from Jordan - Henry VIII State Papers online

Hi I'm in my 3rd year of uni at Sunderland in UK and I'm doing my dissertation on Anne Boleyn and need to access primary documents, Mainly the calendar of state papers during the reign of Henry VIII. My lecturer said I could access them on line via national archives however I'm having trouble finding it, any one got any ideas? Thank you

[This is sort of a repeat type of question, but it doesn't hurt to get more input on sources! - Lara]

Question from Stuart - Henry VIII's banner in France in 1513

Hello

I have read reference that Henry VIII took the banner of the virgin mary to France on the 1513 campaign, can anyone offer any suggestion as to its appearance or principal colours?

PS,if you're interested in Tudor vexillology invest in 'Banners standards and badges from a Tudor manuscript in the college of arms'; a great book !

Kind Regards

Stuart

Question from Deborah - Katherine Parr not at Henry VIII's deathbed

Why did Queen Katherine (Parr) not see King Henry VIII in the weeks prior to his death at the end of January 1547? I read on line that she spent Christmas at a different palace with the royal children and returned to Henry on Jan. 10, 1547 but the king died on Jan. 28th without her having seen him...it doesn't seem possible...any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you-Deborah Haase

[Edited from original submission to correct dates. - Lara]

Question from Stacey - Incidents with Elizabeth I and her ladies

I read on the Elizabeth files that she once stabbed someone with a fork and that she broke a lady in waiting's finger. Did this really happen & if so, who did they happen to & why?

Question from Jessica - Jane Grey and Edward VI's relationship

I was watching the movie Lady Jane with Helena Bonham-Carter and Carey Elwes. The movie seemed to suggest that Henry VIII's heir Edward and Lady Jane were very close, almost intimate. Is this accurate? I have not found any more information on the matter.

Question from Troy - Sir Thomas Tresham

If Sir Thomas Tresham II is the grandson of Sir Thomas Tresham I, then who is Tresham II's father?

According to Wikipedia, Tresham I's sons were George, William & John, but many sites say Tresham II's father was also Thomas.

Question from Bron - Sir Edward Brampton

A mystery man: Sir Edward BRAMPTON (1440-1508)

I have just come across this gentleman and have started to research him. There may be others out there looking for a challenge also: we could work together.

Here are my first notes:

Sir Edward BRAMPTON (1440 1508)

The 1507 will of Thomas Beaumont, Archdeacon of Wells, refers to the well-known Yorkist, Sir Edward Brampton, also known as Duarte Brandao.

"To Maister Edward Brampton an hope (hoop) of golde to be made for him, to my lady Brampton, my suster, a rynge of golde with a flatte diamonde, and
to eche of their children, i.e., Sir John B, Henry, George, Elizabeth, Mary, and Jane a hope of golde of the value of 20s. with this scripture to be made withinin everyche of the same hoopes, "ye shall pray for Sir Thomas Beamonde" these same rynges to be made and sent into Portingale (Portugal) unto them by some sure messynger as sone as myn executors can make provision after my deth."

We can therefore assume Brampton and his wife and their children were living in Portugal at the time. Thomas Beaumont seems to have died in October of 1507, and Sir Edward died in the following year.

Very briefly, it is said that Brandon was an illegitimate Portuguese Jew who came to England as a penniless young man, whereupon King Edward IV sponsored his conversion to Christianity and acted as godfather at his baptism. Soon afterwards, Brampton distinguished himself @ court and in war; became a confidante of kings (he was an associate of Edward IV, Richard III and of Margaret of Burgundy) and immensely wealthy and powerful, being appointed Captain of Guernsey, Orney, Sark, Orm and Gathoo. The pretender to the English throne, Perkin Warbeck, was a member of his household at one time.

In terms of research, because we are moving between several languages, Brampton is sometimes rendered as Brandam, and Beaumont as Bemonde. Brampton was perhaps a contrived surname conferred upon him when he converted to Christianity. It is also sometimes confused with Brandon, which is quite interesting, and I will discuss this in due course.

Sir Edward Brampton may have left descendants in both Portugal and England. His wife is believed to have remarried in Portugal after his death.


We note, regarding the will, that Brampton was married to a sister of Thomas Beaumont, Archdeacon of Wells, and that the Bramptons had 6 surviving children in 1507:
Sir John
Henry
George
Elizabeth
Mary
Jane

Portuguese records seem to provide some confirmation, but the chronology is slightly different.
João Brandão
Jorge Brandão
Henrique Brandão
Isabel Brandão married Pedro de Mendonça
Maria Brandão married Lizuarte Barreto
Joana Brandão married Manuel de Sousa Chichorro

Generally, English sources suggest Edward Brampton was born in 1440: Portuguese sources suggest 1430. Let’s look at it this way: he died in 1508. Therefore:

If he died aged 80, born 1428
If he died aged 70, born 1438
If he died aged 60, born 1448

We must be circumspect in our research: Brampton is an elusive character. Let us go, very carefully, step by step. I would like to cling initially to basic information found in primary documents.

Who was Thomas Beaumont, Archdeacon of Wells between 1502–1507?

Thomas Beaumont was at Merton College in Oxford for 15 years as Master of Arts and Archdeacon of Bath. ‘On the 13th July 1499 he was collated to the Provostship of Welles.’ Merton College was self-governing and the endowments were directly vested in the Warden and Fellows. It had a reputation for research. Thomas Beaumont, Provost of Combe, presented one William Bowes to St Nicholas’ Parish Church in 1502. And that is pretty much it, for the moment.

The Archdeacon’s sister’s name is variously referred to as Margaret or Catherine.

Question from Chase - Punishments for coining

What was the punishment for coining in the 16th century? I am in 7th grade and need help for a research project.

Discussion on Elizabeth Norton's Elizabeth Talboys claim

Several questions came in about this recent article, so I'm just opening this up to general discussion.

Daily Mail article (that was in last week's news round-up):
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2083826/Henry-VIII-secret-daughter-taken-throne-Elizabeth-I-historian-claims.html

and a version from The Sun:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4046613/Secret-of-the-Queen-that-Britain-lost.html

Question from Jenni - Influencers on Elizabeth

I am a A Level student doing my EPQ on who influcened Elizabeth I the most to be the Queen she was.

I was wondering what other people's opinions were on who they think influenced Elizabeth the most before she became Queen.

I writing about most people from her tutors who are not as well known, to her sister Mary and to her step-father Thomas Seymour.