Question from Ms Smith - Bullying in schools

I'm a middle school teacher. I've been wondering, in this era, how would bullying in the schools be handled? Would the bully get in trouble, or would they victim-blame the kid being bullied?

Question from Jim - Domestic violence and abuse in the Tudor era

I was wondering about domestic violence and abuse in this era. If a man in this era abused or beat his wife and / or his children, how would it be dealt with? Likewise, what would society think about a woman abusing her husband, or children and teenagers getting violent with or abusing their parents? Would there be any double standards there, depending on who was the victim and who was the perpetrator? Sincerely, Jim

Question from Max - Penalties of public nudity in 16th century

Dear everyone reading this, I got a question I hope somebody has an an swer to. (Hopefully, it hasn't already been asked). What would happen if a noble gent of this era, like one of Henry VIII's courtiers decided to take all his clothes off and run naked; a.k.a go streaking through the palace or in public? Would he be punished, charged with indecent exposure, or would he just be pardoned, with everyone turning a blind eye to it?

Question from Nicole - Celebrity of actors in the 16th century

Hey, I'm thinking about writing a story about a Tudor era gentleman who is a very famous actor / celebrity from the English theatre. So, I have a couple of questions; would being a famous celebrity back then be harder or easier than it is nowadays? Also, would he get bombarded with people asking him to sign autographs, or have some 16th century version of the paparazzi all up in his business and private life constantly?

Question from Alex - Eating disorders in Tudor England

I have some questions. They're for an assignment I'm doing in history class for school. (I'm in 9th grade) (female). We've been researching about the history of eating disorders in Medieval / Tudor times. I realize that more females than males did, ( and still do ) suffer from eating disorders, but I want to know did some men ,if any, suffer from them as well? For example, Ive read that if Medieval knights got fat / put on too much weight, it would be easier for them to be defeated in battle, and therefore not fit to become or stay knights. Also, if say, King Henry VIII or some other aristocratic gentleman from Tudor times starved himself / refused to eat because he wanted to lose some weight, or was afraid of / obsessed about getting fat, how do you think his courtiers or servants would respond to his behavior around food and his body image? Would they respond the same or differently depending on whether the person was female or male?

Question from Eden - Forms of address for the Queen

I'm writing a fantasy story that is roughly on a parallel with the Elizabethan period. Obviously I have the queen being addressed as Your Grace, but is it acceptable to have the form of address change to madam during council meetings etc.?

Question from ? - Jane Seymour's attending ladies

Do we know who Jane Seymour's ladies-in-waiting, maids-of-honour etc were?

Question from Alice - London orphanages in 16th century

Quite a precise question: were there orphanages in London in the early sixteenth century ?

Question from ? - Education of women in early 16th century

What kind of education would women like Catherine Parr, and other aristocratic and gentlewomen born in the early 16th century, have been given? Thank you :)

Question from ? - Romantic links of Mary and Elizabeth

Who was Elizabeth I thought to have been in love with, throughout her life? I know of Seymour, Dudley and Essex, but were there more? And was Mary I ever romantically linked to anyone other than her husband? Happy New Year and thank you!!!

Question from Arthur - Early Tudor laws

Hi, I was wondering if a list of early Tudor or pre- tudor laws that might still of been followed exists anywhere? I particularly want to know if Fighting or brawling in the streets of London or a Tavern would of been considered a breech of peace back then or not?

Question from Anonymous - Books Henry VIII may have read

I am looking to read the books Henry VIII is likely to have read. Is there a list anywhere or any information on which books he read? Thank you.

Question from Anonymous - Journal subscription suggestions

I finished my university studies a few years ago, but I want to get back into reading scholarly articles. Are there any particular journals or subscriptions you would recommend for someone interested in Henry VIII's time? Thank you.

Question from Nicole - Household of Charles Brandon

How big was the household of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk? Would he have had his personal chaplain?

Question from dmj - Isabella of Castile's treatment of her daughter

Is it true that the Spanish queen mother of king Henry vlll first wife was torturous to her own daughter, Catherine sister?

Question from Sandra - "Mother of the Maids"

I'd like information about the women who served as "Mother of the Maids (of honor)" for Henry VIII, Edward and Mary, both their names but also what their jobs were, specifically (if possible). I've seen mentioned Lady Stoner/Stonor, Margaret (or Anne) Foliot, and Elizabeth Billingham.

Question from Peter - Son of Roland de Velville

I have traced my family tree back to Roland De Velville but by a son. The online information records two daughters but no son. Is this an inaccurate record or how do I find out whether he had a son?

Question from Stephanie - DNA links to Henry VIII

Is there a way to tell through DNA if youre related to King Henry Viii? Im a descendent of Mary Bolelyn throughly Catherine Carey and her grandson Thomas West de la warr. Thanks any information is much appreciated.

Question from Dee - Enclosures and the 1549 rebellions

Would you say enclosures were the main cause of unrest for the 1549 rebellions?

Question from Emmy - Legal justification for Katherine Howard's execution

Why was Katherine Howard executed? Was it for adultery? Suzannah Lipscomb, in an interview about Anne Boleyn, said adultery wasnt a capital crime or punishable by death (and Anne was executed for imagining Henrys death); besides, both Katherine and Culpepper said they didnt actually sleep together. Was it for speculating about the kings death? That got Dereham, I think, but that didnt apply to her. Was it for failing to disclose her sexual history, as laid out in the Bill of Attainder of 1542? But then why was Culpepper executed? What, exactly, was the legal justification?

Question from Clemmie - Death of George, Duke of Clarence

I am curious about the execution of Edward IV's brother (George, Duke of Clarence) . Legend has it he was drowned in Malmsey wine. It seems the rumour circulated shortly after his death; Shakespeare then said the same in his play (although I am aware of how very little historical his plays can be) Since there is no proof about how George actually died, does anyone think the wine option is likely? I actually do not know what to think. It seems like an odd way to die, and a rather complicated and expensive choice to execute a convicted traitor (even though he was brother to the king). Second question, if the Malmsey is actually not how George died, how was he actually killed? We are of course only making hypothesis. I could only find he was "executed privately". What is the most likely way for it to have been carried out (for it to be quick and private)? Beheaded? Stabbed? Strangled? I would love to find out what truly happened to him.

Question from John - Looking for information on Elizabeth Fielding

Looking for a connection between Elizabeth Fielding daughter of Edward Fielding and his wife Elizabeth Maria Polteney (1646-1692) who was daughter of Maurice Wittelsbach Simmern (1620-1652) who was the son of Frederich V Vonder Pfalz of the Palatinate of the Rhine, who married Elizabeth Stuart (1595-1662) and through them to James Stuart VI of Scotland and I of England and VI of Scotland and son of Mary Queen of Scots. There seems to be some disagreement as to who the Elizabeth Fielding really was, there is some mention of her being adopted. If she is who some say she is, the line can be traced back through Mary Queen of Scots all the way to Chrodobertus (6720-673). That would make King James a great grandfather and his mother, Mary, a great grandmother. It all becomes very interesting and somewhat time consuming. If anyone has any information to share regarding Elizabeth Fielding, I would be most appreciative.

Question from Julie - Tudor black and white houses

Why were the Tudor houses black and white? We are doing a school project and nowhere seems to tell us why they were that colour.

Question from Daniel - Tudor Hampton Court and Tower of London vs today

How much of Hampton court or the tower of London would Henry VIII recognize if he was alive today!? As London in general I think he would be sickened to be honest, I personally think these modern glass and steel dystopian buildings that overlook these beautiful historic buildings is an absolute crying shame!!

Question from Daniel - Henry VIII and modern London

What would Henry VIII think of London today?