Question from Diane - Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves during his marriage to Kathryn Howard

Hi!
I'm checking out The Tudors season 4 since I've been quite interest in the topic. In this season, is shown how Henry while married to Kathryn Howard return to Anne of Cleves' bed. I wonder if there is some sort of prouf on the subject, or, is it one of the more historical "arrangements" to spice up the series?

Thanks

Question from Marilyn R - "Treacle and water imperial" treatment

I am still plodding on with my research on Agnes Tilney, Katheryn Howard's step-grandmother, which i have mentioned before on this blog.

In 1528 she met Cardinal Wolsey’s servant, one Forest, and was pleased to learn his master was well, although some of his servants had been very poorly. The area was in the grip of the dreadful sweating sickness and in a letter later on the Duchess offered to minister to Wolsey should he fall ill. She had daily experience of such matters, she said, and was so successful in her cures that her neighbours would send to her “and if they be sick at heart I give them treacle and water imperial..."

Can anyone elaborate on what this concoction actually was?

Thank you

Question from Hilary - Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Westminster Abbey

Where were Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII married? I know they took their initial vows in secret, but surely there was also some sort of public event afterwards? If so, where did that occur?

Also, was Anne coronated inside Westminster Abbey? It always seems that when reading about her coronation, only the procession through the town is discussed.

On what other occasions would have Henry VIII and/or Anne Boleyn gone into Westminster Abbey?

Thank you!

Question from Taryn - Fashion of Henry VIII's reign

Hi all, I'm a bit of a historical fashion buff and I have a two part question, and I'm sorry that it's so long:

First, does anyone know of any good books that detail the fashions (both male and female) of the reign of Henry VIII? I'm particularly interested in somehting that can contrast the differences in male fashion of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and the marriage of Catherine Parr full on until his death, but anything on women's fashion and sumptuary laws would be amazing.

Second, I would like to know if modern day mediums (such as the Showtime series and other fiction books I've read) are correct in that for the sake of masques and other costumed affairs that normal propriety could be shirked and men and women could be seen in very little (for the time). I realize fiction is never a good place for historical fact, but I am curious as to whether it would have been possible for a woman to go without a chemise underneath of her bodice for the sake of costume!

Thank you all very much for your time.

Question from Livingston - Choice of Darnley's residence at Kirk o' Field

In February 1567 the ailing Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, was returned to Edinburgh from Glasgow to convalesce for a short period at Kirk o'Field before reconciling and residing with Mary and their 7-month old son at Holyrood Palace. Within days of Darnley's installation at the house at Kirk o'Fields it was blown-up with gunpowder. Just prior to the explosion Darnley was caught escaping the house and immediately stabbed to death by an unknown.

Darnley was a hated man among his peers and known to be in grave danger on return to Edinburgh. My question is why Edinburgh Castle was not considered as a place for his recovery and was this question ever considered by contemporaries or later historians? Mary after all had chosen the safety of the Castle for delivery of her baby only months before.

Question from Louise - Elizabeth Tilney

A question about Elizabeth Tileny lady-in -waiting to Lady Jane grey who is apparently my ancestress. I would love to know if Elizabeth is related to Philip Tilney or Agnes Tileny of Shelly and possibly a cousin of Anne Boleyn or Madge Shelton. Does anyone know?

Question from Ria - Entertainment in Henry VIII's reign

i am in year 8 and i wanted to know about entertainment at the time of king henry the eighth, particulary acting and plays. i do know that later on a globe theatre was build but during therein of elizabeth I. thank you

Question from Lindsay - Sources for background on Anne of Cleves

I am preparing a paper to present as a writing sample for a Graduate level history program I am attempting to enter come Fall of 2011, and am looking for information on the atmosphere in which Anne of Cleves grew up, specifically her home life after her fathers death. Also, any documentation on her brief marriage to Henry VIII would be good as well, as this is a comparative study of the two countries and their courts at the time just before, during, and just after this marriage took place. Books or website information would be helpful, the more specific the better. Please do not include Wikipedia information, as I need legitimate sources for a bibliography. Thank you!

Question from Nancy - Thomas Becket in Tudor times

Why is Thomas Becket sometimes called Thomas a Becket? Is that how people referred to him in Tudor times?

Question from Sarah - Arthur Tudor's birth date

Arthur, Prince of Wales was born 8 months into his parents' marriage. Is there any possibility that they consummated the relationship before the official wedding day? Or even that Arthur had a different father? Was it ever suggested by contemporaries or those later?

I was wondering because I was reading about the Princes in the Tower being declared illegitimate, and thinking that someone could have used Arthur's premature birth as an excuse to depose him, if he had become king.

[Most of this question was covered in the thread linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/10/question-from-elizabethan-elizabeth-of.html

Question from Charli - Mr Colley and Mr Thorp and sumptuary laws

In the inventory of Henry Howard, earl of Surrey in 1546, there is an addition that 'a Robe with a hood of crymsen vellut' was delivered to Mr Colley and Mr Thorp by Sir John Gates.

I have hunted high and low for Mr Colley and Mr Thorp and I still can't find who they are. I was wondering if you knew who these people were!?

Also do you know what the earls could not wear under the sumptuary laws?

Thank you!

Question from Elen - Info on book "The Private Lives of the Tudor Monarchs"

Hi guys,

I stumbled across a book called "The private lives of the Tudor Monarchs" by Chrsitopher Falkus (it's available on amazon.com).
Has anyone read that book and can recommend it? I'd love to hear what you know about it!

Elen

Question from Amanda - Items shown in a first season episode of "The Tudors"

I have been re-watching Season 1 of the Tudors and during the Sweating Sickness episode, when the sickness has ended and the so a church service the show pillows with what look like spurs or some type of bells on them. I have looked and can not find what they are to represent and if there is any historical accuracy in this part of the show. Do you know any information on this?

Question from Brianna - Sources for Elizabeth's decision not to marry

I'm looking for more information on Elizabeth I's decision not to marry, I am in 10th grade taking AP European history and I am writing a paper on this subject, I would like to organize my paper by personal, political, and religious reasons why she did not marry. I am having trouble finding specific sources about this particular subject because there is such a vast amount of information out there about Elizabeth and this topic is pretty narrow. Thankyou so much in advance! Your help will be much appreciated.

[Related thread linked below. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/06/question-from-marjorie-elizabeth-is.html

Question from Marie - Witchcraft and Paganism in Elizabethan/Stuart England

I just wanted to ask a few questions:

1)How did people view witches in Elizabethan/Stuart England?

2)Did anyone really practice witchcraft or was it just people’s paranoia?

3)Before England was Christianized, the religion was Pagan. Did anyone worship Pagan deities in Elizabethan/Stuart England?

4)Was there any aspect of Elizabethan/Stuart culture that was influenced by Paganism?

This is not for a school project, I am just curious and can't find any anwers at the library

Question from Emma - Channel 5 program on the Death of Amy Robsart Dudley

Hi Lara and everyone

Did any one else catch the UK channel 5 programme last night on Elizabeth and Dudley and who killed his wife? I must admit when they came to the conclusion that it could have been Cecil, I nearly fell off my chair,he was the last man on my mined.

I would love to hear what you all thought about it

Question from Tracey - Marriages at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey...can 'regular folk' be married there? I can't see the entire structure being closed to the public unless a Royal Wedding takes place inside...but perhaps a private ceremony in a side chapel?

Question from Patricia - Sir Thomas Stewkley

what i would really like is as much information
on henry the viii children who were born out
of wedlock. i would like the information
on sir thomas stewkely of affeton. i want to
know who his real parents were and his children
and his grandchlidren. was sir thomas stekley
the child of henry the viii.

thank you patricia

Question from Sam - The Brandons choice of their daughter's names

A question regarding names. Have often wondered- why did Mary & Charles Brandon decided to name their daughters Frances and Eleanor? The names seem rather unusual for the time especially in view of the predominence of Marys, Elizabeths and Margarets in the royal house.

Happy Anniversary!

Can you believe it? This blog is five years old today! Thanks to everyone, once again, for all of the interesting questions and helpful answers. It's really been a help to me personally since there was no way I would have been able to respond to all of these questions personally over the past five years (we're at 1,285 posts as of today).

Thank you all!

Question from Michael - Humphrey Barroll, page to Elizabeth I

Does anyone have anymore details on Humphrey/Humffrey Barroll/Barrell who is recorded as page to Queen Elizabeth 1 at his marriage at St. Mildred (Bread Street) and St Margaret Moses church, London on 7 January 1596/7 to Martha Boteler. He was buried at All Saints church, Isleworth, London in May 1627.

Question from Nancy - Investigating a murder in Henry VIII's reign

When there was a murder in Henry VIII's time, who investigated it: the coroner, the justice of the peace or the constable? How did these officials work together or overlap--if they did?

Question from Orla - Henry VII's coloring

Just started reading Garrett Mattingly book on Catherine of Aragon and I came across a description of Henry VII (on page 29) anyway Mattingly states that he had 'blond good looks' I always thought Henry VII was dark haired from his portriats, anyone else come across the description of Henry VII as a blond?

Question from Lesley M - Origins of court dwarves

Can anybody tell me if court dwarves were born, or 'produced'. I seem to recall hearing at a lecture that there used to be a village in Sussex or Suffolk that was the centre of 'production'! I think it may have been done using herbs eg knot grass or daisy.

Question from Audrey - Margaret Plantagenet and Margaret Tylle

Are Margaret Plantagenet and Margaret Tylle the same person,if notwhy is she listed as a child if Elizabeth of York and Henry 7th-