Question from Stuart - Badges, liveries and standards of Richard de la Pole

I find Richard de la Pole a most interesting character, particularly his military capability as a Captain in the armies of Louis XII & Francis I.

What intrigues me most are his sustained efforts at launching an invasion of England, particularly that which came the closest to fruition in 1514.

I wonder what standard or banner he would have used. I know that in French service it was common for nobles to use their own heraldic banners and it appears that the swallow tailed standards still being used by the English at this time were peculiar to England.

What banner could he have used had he launched the invasion of 1514?

The ideas I have come up with so far are perhaps a Lion rampant (I know his brother used this)and almost certainly with white roses featuring - in many ways it could have borne a resemblance to similar banners used by Edward IV.

Any suggestions?

The only definite sources I have found so far with regard to badges and livery are;

His guard and minstrels at Metz wore white and blue livery.

He referred to himself as the white rose or blancherosee.

Lions rampant feature on his coat of arms.

Thanks

Stuart

Question from Marie - Personalities of the Tudors

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what Edward vi (Henry the eighth's son) personality was like. I am also curious as to the personalities of his sisters Mary and Elizabeth.

Question from Mark - Elizabeth on the "Great Harry"

In the movie "Young Bess" Elizabeth was on the ship "Great Harry". I asked if this was in fact? Thanks for any answers.

Question from Orla - Katherine Tudor, daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

Hi, was wondering about Katherine Tudor, the youngest child of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII. How long did she live for roughly? And where was she buried? Did Henry VII ever see her, and did Henry VIII or his other sisters visit her?

Question from Michelle - Ladies in waiting spying on Queens

First, thank you for such a helpful and informative blog!

My questions are in regard to using ladies-in-waiting to spy on a queen's doings, particularly Catherine of Aragon, and how such "arrangements" were made.

Firstly, do we actually know of any instances where a lady-in-waiting was known (or at least highly suspected) as a spy who willingly and freely passed on information about her mistress to a third party? Would love some definitive documentation (e.g. letters to/from said spy, financial transactions, arrest warrants, etc), but would also love to hear what courtiers thought or suspected as well (e.g. if someone like Chapuys thought a particular woman was untrustworthy or betraying the Queen, etc) Also, do we know if there's any truth to that habit in period Tudor dramas where the Queen always dismisses her ladies before important conversations, and if so, was this due to fear or knowledge of spies?

Particularly, do we have any evidence of Cardinal Wolsey using Catherine of Aragon's English ladies-in-waiting to spy on her? I remember hearing somewhere that he used his influence to dismiss CoA's Spanish ladies-in-waiting and replace them with English ladies that reported to him (or at least ladies that CoA couldn't trust), but I can't remember if I heard it from a "factual" source or from fiction. It does seem something that Wolsey (or Cromwell) might do, though! What do we know of CoA's ladies informing other parties about her private dealings?

In a more general sense, if someone like Wolsey did wish to use a lady-in-waiting as a spy on the Queen, how would such an arrangement be made? For example, would he approach the woman directly, or would he approach her family so that her father/male relatives could instruct her? Would he likely suborn an existing lady-in-waiting, or might he try to arrange for a loyal family/woman to be placed with the Queen's household? Would these likely be long-term and all inclusive arrangements, or would they likely be negotiated for specific incidents (e.g. "The Queen is meeting with Bishop Fisher tomorrow. Tell me what they discuss.")? What sorts of bribery might be used? Would the lady be likely to use letters to pass on the information, or would she do it person, and if so, how and with who? (meeting in private areas with loyal servants, knocking on Cromwell's office door, etc?) Lastly, what would be the potential penalties for a woman who refused to inform on her mistress, or passed along lies/glossed over important information?


(Thanks so much for your answers! I will likely be back with other questions re: CoA and ladies in waiting. As a side note, if anyone could recommend some good texts about Catherine of Aragon and her ladies-in-waiting, I'd definitely appreciate it. I would even love some fiction recommendations for that topic, as long as they're not too wildly inaccurate.)

Question from Sarah - Attitudes towards animals

Hello. I was wondering where I could read more about Tudors' attitudes to animals?

Related threads:

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/06/question-from-juju-pets-of-elizabeth-i.html

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/04/question-from-alex-edward-vi-and.html

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2007/11/question-from-maynard-vegetarianism-and.html

Comment from Tracy - Mary Tudor Brandon's hair color

I have been following the Tudors since I was 14 years old after having seen "Anne Of The Thousand Days". I'm 57 now so my fascination borders on obsession.

I wanted to add an interesting tidbit to the ongoing discussion about the color of Mary Tudor Brandon's lock of hair. Whether her hair was actually a "reddish gold" or "pure gold" really can't be judged properly because of this little known fact - Did Mary use the old English beauty secret of the common use of lye for making hair more blonde than red? We won't know the answer unless there is a test for lye that can be done without compromising the condition of the lock of hair in the museum. I read this information in Maria Perry's excellent book "The Sisters Of Henry VIII". This is found on page xiv of the Introduction.

Sincerely,

Tracy Holt McClary

Related thread:
http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2009/03/question-from-kathy-description-of-mary.html

Question from Laura - "Secrets of the Virgin Queen"

I recently watched Secrets of the Virgin Queen on NatGeo, and one of the "secrets" was the discussion of a rumor about "the Bisley boy." I had never heard this before, and I while I think it's clear it's a ridiculous rumor, I'm wondering how many people believed it, and whether it was a rumor known during Elizabeth's time, or did it come from a later era?

The show also claimed that Elizabeth wore her makeup to hide pox scars from a bout of small pox. Is it true that she had smallpox? I've never read that before. I was under the impression that she started using the makeup to hide signs of aging (and achieve the desired pale English complexion), and that the use of the white lead makeup discolored her skin causing her to need to use more to cover the effects.

I've focused most of my reading on Henry and his wives so I'm not as familiar with the rumors and common misconceptions about Elizabeth as I am about those of her mother.

Question from Linda - Parr's "Lamentations of a Sinner"

Is there a translation or copy of the book written by Queen Catherine Parr, Lamentations of a Sinner ?

Question from Abigail - Opinions on the causes of the Reformation

Hi all,
I have always had a vast fascination with Henry VIII and his thoughts behind his actions. Having done a large factual piece on the English Reformation. I am fully aware that there are a number of reason for English reform which are all valid and all evidently played a part in the English Reformation. I would just like to get some feedback as to why in your opinion the reformation occurred? I myself believe that it was Henry's desire to be remembered. In the words of Erasmus "Our King does not desire gold or gems or precious metals, but virtue, glory, immortality." and the only way he could secure this was through a Tudor dynasty and the birth of a son.

Question from Marilyn R - Catherine of Aragon or Mary Tudor Brandon?

There is a very interesting article on the Anne Boleyn Files site about Michael Sittow's portrait of the young Catherine of Aragon really being of Mary Tudor, Henry’s sister. What does anyone think about the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna having taken the decision to re-identify the sitter?

Question from Jane - Catherine of Aragon's spare time activities

I'm writing a book with counter factual history. It's about Arthur and Catherine of Aragon, and I stumbled upon a question; What did Catherine do in her "Spare time". i read somewhere that her hobbies where praying and reading the holy word, but was that really all she cared about?

Traveling for work for a few days

I'll be headed out to our observatory in west Texas for a few days and while I should have good internet access, I don't think I'm going to have a whole lot of time to spend on the computer! So apologies in advance for any delays in approving blog comments and the lack of posts until early next week.

Question from Eva - Political confidentiality at Court

Hello all! Thank you for being a continual source of knowledge.

I am working on a historical novel and I am wondering about political confidentiality in Henry VIII's court. How much about, for example, a diplomatic visit from a neighbouring monarch would the average courtier know? The specific episode about which I am writing is Charles V's visit in 1522 which culminated in the Treaty of Windsor, whereby the war plans regarding France were laid. Would a courtier have heard that there was likelihood of war against France? Would he know when Charles V arrived that it was for this purpose? I guess the true nature of my question is how open this sort of information would be. It seems it would be kept confidential for obvious reasons, but then when the treaty was signed, did everyone find out the news at that moment? Was another reason given for such a visit?

Thank you all.

Question from Sarah - Elizabeth titles for MPs

During Elizabeth I's reign, were MPs known as MPs, knights of the shire or something else?

Question from Sarah - Burleigh Papers

How do you access the Burleigh Papers? Are they online?

Question from Sarah - Illegitimate daughter of Bridget of York

Is it true that Elizabeth of York's sister Bridget had an illegitimate daughter when she was 11 (see Wikipedia article "Agnes of Eltham")

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?