Question from Amanda - Tudor women and shaving

Did Tudor-era women shave their legs or their underarms? If so, how did they do this? Was it just not a big deal back then? Thank you.

Question from Cheryl - Elizabeth's locket ring

re. the so-called Chequers ruby ring, when unhinged shows two portraits; one obviously Elizabeth and the other a younger woman. There is a supposition that this is Anne Boleyn and I have always assumed it was, but recently I had a thought that, though narcissistic, could it possibly be a younger Elizabeth? Is there definitive proof this is Anne? I would love to think so as if it is and because Elizabeth owned this ring, it is confirmation that the likeness was one accepted by Elizabeth as her mother's. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I am looking at a marvelous copy of the ring close up; one of the clearest I have seen from one of the articles on your website blog re. the exhibition of The Goldsmith's Company.

Question from Goetz - Tudor references in Henry Holiday illustrations

This question is about possible references to Tudors in Henry Holiday's illustrations to Lewis Carroll's "The Hunting of the Snark".

I think, the back cover illustration of the book refers to a painting depicting Queen Elizabeth I at old age: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnetmaker/6818523809/

Then there is a less clear discovery - which may not be a discovery at all but just some phantasy in my mind. In Holiday's illustration (the back cover), there also is a pattern which either could depict letters (if mirrored: "Anmi"?) or just stripes in the waves without any special meaning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnetmaker/4521661562/

Any idea?

Question from Lucy-Kate - Greetings and goodbyes

I am writing a novel set in 1572 in Rye amongst farming and fishing folk. Does anyone know how people would have greeted each other at that time when they met for the first time, met a friend in the street, met formally over business or met a family member? And likewise on saying goodbye? And for bonus points, does anyone know whether the French practice of kissing on both cheeks was around at the time? Thanks.

Question from Stacey - Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment in England

How was it explained to Mary, Queen of Scots that she was losing her freedom once in England? Who told her & under what conditions was it explained to her that she would be held captive?

Question from Mary R - Children living at the Tower of London

I have been toying with the idea of writing a book for children set in the Tower of London while Elizabeth was a prisoner there. My young hero would be the little boy who used to bring Elizabeth flowers containing messages from Robert Dudley who was also imprisoned there.

Is the name of the boy, if he actually existed, known?

I know that many of the men who worked at the tower had their families with them. I'd like to know approximately how many children were living there at the time and what their fathers' positions might have been.

Can anyone recommend a book or a website that might have some good information?

Question from Easton - Elizabeth on Thomas Seymour's barge

Is it true that Elizabeth Tudor was with Thomas Seymour on admirals barge unccompanied

Question from Parisa - Literal promise of a son by Anne Boleyn

I love this site! Thank you.

I've developed an obsessive interest in "all things Tudor". One question which bothers me is did Anne Boleyn actually and literally promise Henry a son during their courtship, or did Henry assume this was the understanding between them? Or is it history's assumption? I cannot find any information on this, other than that astrologers and physicians assured the birth of a male heir once Anne was pregnant.

It would seem given her intelligence, the low rate of successful pregnancies, and the number of failed attempts from Henry's 1st marriage, Anne would know her odds of giving birth to a healthy boy weren't 100% in her favor. Wouldn't she have tried to down play the expectation as a precautionary, "better safe than sorry" measure?

Question from Karen - 'Middling height'

Hi. Love the site and find it very informative so hopefully someone here can help with this question.

Whenever you read historical descriptions of people from the era from their contemporaries, you get things like "he/she was of middling height" or he was "above middle height". There is a portrait of Edward VI that hangs in Hampton Court and it is said that it shows him at his full "above middle height".

My question: what is meant by this? What is/was middle height? I have tried to look it up on the web but cannot get an answer. Thanks to all.

Question from Ron - Other jesters of Henry VIII

I am writing in regards to the posts Re: King Henry Viii and his jesters. It was mentioned that there were few, Patch and Will Somers being but two. But is there evidence for more? In researching my family history, I came across a reference for another. In this History of Derbyshire (ca 1715), William Woolley compiling a topographical and genealogical account of his native county, mentioned that one Thomas Thacker, was a jester to good king Henry. Is this history or hyperbole. Certainly Thomas Thacker was a royal servant, mentioned in his inquisition post mortem. He was King Henrys and Thomas Cromwell chief agent in the Dissolution of the monasteries in the Midlands. He was also a Merchant of the Staple as early as 1505. Perhaps significantly, it was through another Staple merchant, that Will Somers came into contact with the monarch. It may have been through this company that Thacker also came into the Kings service. History or Hyperbole, it is certainly interesting. Your thoughts.... regards. Ron Thacker, British Columbia.

Question from Courtney - Tudor business ventures

I'm looking for information and examples on the types of business ventures a Tudor nobleman could try. The main character in my book is the second son of an earl, and I've realized that I need to give him something to do rather than just run around London drinking, gambling and whoring. My story starts in 1558, but before Mary's death. Any ideas would be really helpful - thanks!

Question from Laura - Clothing of a Tudor chaplain

My 10yr old son has to dress as a Tudor Chaplain for a school visit to a Tudor re-enactment day. I have not been able to find many pictures apart from Bishops etc. Please can someone let me know what sort of clothes a Chaplain would have worn. Many thanks.

Question from Kris - Illegitimacy and female inheritance

Hi~
I have a question about illegitimacy and female inheritance among the nobility. I have a story set in 1588 (in Ireland), and I have a barony that passes through the female line.

My question is this: would illegitimacy (out of wedlock birth) be an obstacle to inheriting the title, if the former title holder were a female? In other words, if a baroness (title holder in her own right) had a child out of wedlock, would that child (also a daughter) be able to inherit the title?

To the extent the problem with inheritance & illegitimacy is that you don't know if the title-holding male is the baby's father, that wouldn't be an issue if the title holder were a female, right? If the title holder is the woman, it's pretty certain the child is descended from the title holder, so would it still be an impediment to inheriting the title?

I'm guessing (hoping) it would be an impediment, but realized that's an assumption, and I should find out.

I love your blog--many thanks!

Question from Stuart - Sir John Neville

Sir John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer

This is a somewhat layered question;

I'm currently researching Henry VIII's 1513 campaign in France, more specifically the contingent of border horse which was part of Henry Percy's retinue which i believe to have have been led by Sir John Neville but I'm not 100%

At that time that would have made him around 20 years of age so a contemporary of Henry's I guess. I've read that he was knighted during the campaign and was one of the kings spears.

Does anyone know who led the border horse and also, a very nice bonus would be an idea of their heraldry.

Sir Rhys / Rees ap Thomas is mentioned quite a bit in connection to skirmishing and reconnaissance with light cavalry but I can't un-thread whether these were the demilancers or scurrers / prickers or both.

Question from Kate - Royal tombs in London

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a recent work regarding the royal tombs. I will be traveling to London and would like to know where everyone is. I have a general knowledge on this topic but have always been more involved in the study of Tudor lives and not so much their resting places

Question from David - Anne of Cleves' German ladies

Are you able please to let me know the names of Anne of Cleves's German ladies in waiting who came over to England with her?

Thank you

Question from Jo Joyce - Henry VIII and painting

Did Henry VIII paint? Was Henry VIII taught to paint? If so, who taught him?

Question from Jan - Ship-to-ship signaling and communication

I'm writing a sequel to my children's novel Harry Bone-Thief, and want my hero, now aboard ship & on his way home from seeking a North West passage, to encounter another vessel on its way out from France, and to speak her and learn the news (Henry VIII is dead). They won't have had flag signals yet, so how did they communicate? How wd Harry, away for many months, know whether or not the approaching French boat was an enemy? Dipping into Hakluyt, I find that ships saluted each other with cannon 'in the manner of the sea' - where can I find something more precise?

Question from Ben - Plastering over timbers on Tudor buildings

I have been told that the timbers of Tudor buildings would have been 'plastered' over. This surprised me as the white buildings with their black timbers are so characteristic. It makes me wonder if this is true. Any ideas?

Question from Sylwia - Anne Boleyn ordering genealogical chart

Hello,

I wanted to ask you something about Anne Boleyn - I remember that I was reading in one of her biographies (which one, I can't remember) that she ordered her genealogical chart/tree and she was displaying it at court. Do you remember perhaps were such information occurred?

Thank you

Question from Lawrence - George Gregory Fiennes

I am questioning the authenticity of Tudorplace.com remarks about George Gregory Fiennes. It states he had a Bastard daughter Mary Fiennes born in 1566 and married a Wheatley. Other books say he had a daughter that died young and Ann Sackville would not or did not recognize her. How can I contact them about the information? Does anyone have confirmation one way or the other?

Question from Donna - Richard Edwardes and Agnes Blewitt

I am a direct descendant of Richard Edwardes and Agnes Blewitt. I am aware of Richard being the son of Henry VIII and the one son produced by a mistress that lived and had children. I read that Henry secretly married Agnes, it was not recorded as a marriage but records show that it was kept a secret.Does anyone know anything about the marriage? I read a blog from a Angela C back in 2008 that said she is a descendant as well and also she is a Lewis. I also am a Lewis and was wondering how to get in touch with this person for more information. Can anyone Help?

[Related previous thread linked below - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2006/04/question-from-shannon-another-illegit.html

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

Hello......I wrote a few months back about the royal burial vaults under the Albert Memorial Chapel in St. Georges chapel. I am still looking for any information about the exact size and location and set up of the main vault. I am curious about how one gains access to the vault....are the caskets lowered? or carried on stairs.....if so, where are those stairs? I would love to see a photo of the vault. There is a sketch on line...but a photo would be invaluable to my research. I am looking for information on exactly who is left down there that has not been moved to Frogmore burial grounds. Are the caskets just lying on shelves exposed to the air and deteriorating or are they maintained somehow.
the lucky custodial staff has a first hand birds eye view into history!! Any information at all on the royal vault would be soooo helpful. I have photos of Henry the 8ths vault...but I am looking for the main vault under the Albert Chapel......Thanks in advance........Mike

(Previous question from Michael here: http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2012/02/question-from-michael-burial-vault-in.html

Question from Paul - Anglo-French War 1521-1526

I am interested in finding out more details of England's involvement in the Anglo-French War, (1521-1526).

Henry VIII joined the Hapsburg Empire against France but what, if anything did the English troops achieve or do. This period always seems to be brushed over in the general histories. Where can I find more detail about the military campaign

Thanks

Question from Mary Lou - William Morris/Norris

I have been working on my family tree and have come across either a William Morris or a William Norris who married a Lady Joane de Vere who was the dau of Elizabeth Howard and a John Devere th3e 12th earl of oxford.

I would like to clarify if it is Morris or Norris.

one would make the Howards and Bolyns part, a very removed part, of the family tree and of course one would not.

it appears that the Morris bloodline split between Church of England and Quaker. and came to America early on to escape religious persecutions.

This line also married into the Shattuck line which helped with others to start the Quaker Church in the North Carolina area.

I would appreciate any help that can be given. It has been a lonely search because none of the family is interested and my father never talked about his family to me, the youngest child. My grandmother, his mom, never did either.

thank you