Question from kb - The Book of the Royal Household

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the 'The Royall Book' - the book of court etiquette in place for Henry VII's court and probably written by Margaret Beaufort, his mother. It is also referred to as the 'The Book of the Royal Household'.

Is there a printed edition anywhere?

If not, does anyone know the archive where it, or a copy, might reside?

Thank you

Question from Peter - Polish soldiers in England under Henry VIII

During a recent discussion with a friend, it was suggested that there may be many people living in England who, unbeknownst to them, have Polish ancestry. This assumption is based on the "fact" that Henry VIII summoned a not inconsiderable number of Polish soldiers (mercenaries?)for some purpose to England during his reign and many of them subsequently settled over here. I am unaware of such an event happening, but perhaps someone could either confirm or dispel this theory.

Question from Robert - Layout of Elizabethan courts of law

What was the floor plan of an Elizabethan court of law? Where did the judge sit and where were the accuser and defendant?

Question from Bron - Henry Talbot, stepson of Bess of Hardwick

I can't find out much about this person: I know he was the one who was delegated to ride and tell Elizabeth about Mary's execution.

This is all I have:
Hon. Henry Talbot (1554 - January 20, 1596) was a younger son of George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and his first wife Gertrude Manners. In 1584, Henry and Edward had just returned from a long tour of France. He married Elizabeth Reyner (c.1556 - 1613), daughter of Sir William Reyner of Overton Longvile, Hunts Knight, and Elizabeth Lynne). They had two daughters, Gertrude (c1588 1649) and Mary (1595 1674/5). Henrys wife had an estate called Orton Longeville situated near Fotheringhay. His wife married secondly Sir Thomas Holcroft.

Any other information out there, please?

Question from George - Toilet facilities for crowds in Tudor times

When large crowds gathered in Tudor times, whether for the theater, parades, church services, or court occasions, what were the toilet facilities? One presumes chamber pots for some occasions, but that's a lot of chamber pots, and they would need to be serviced. For large crowds, what did they use to clean, comparable to today's toilet paper, if anything?

Today when people go to popular public events, men and women queue up for the men's and women's toilets. I work at a historic site, and this question was asked. Thus, the question.

Question from Luciana - Dining practices for upper class homes and children

I would like some help about about supper time for rich people living away from court (This is for the 1510s). Did children eat seperately? If so, where did they eat. What would the dining hall look like? If the father was at court,were the mother and children expected to to follow him or was it ok for them to stay away from court? Were there entertainers? Any other information would be greatly appreciated.This is for a story im writing about Anne Boleyn and her childhood home, Hever castle.

Question from Becca - Factual basis for fictional portrayals of Henry VIII and his wives

Hi, I'm a third year university student (UK) and I am just starting to collect some info for my dissertation. I do not have a solid question as of yet, however, I would like to do something along the lines of 'how far do fictional works on the life of Henry VIII & his relationship with his wives have basis in fact?' I have chosen this because I do have a good back ground knowledge of the Tudors and I'm very passionate for subject, especially the personal life of Henry. I also find the modern representations of Henry (in film and tv series) fascinating, in particular how key historical facts are often left out and are replaced by stereotypes for entertainment value. The Tudors seem to be a fashionable topic in film and media at the moment, I'm keen to find out why and (in relation to my dissertation) if they do have basis in fact? However, I'm starting to worry slightly that maybe there won't be enough information/sources for a 12,000 word project. Has anyone written a similar essay or studied this topic? Know any good books to recommend? I want to get started as soon as but my tutor will only see me once every two weeks! Any help would be greatly received. Thank you.

Question from Michelle - Anne Boleyn's surviving letters

How many letters that Anne Boleyn wrote have survived? I know there is the letter that a very young Anne wrote to her father, 2-3 she wrote to Cardinal Wolsey and a short one to Thomas Crowmell. Are there any more? Thanks!

Question from Norman - Tudor parts of Hampton Court Palace

My understanding of the Hampton Court Palace Cumberland Suite is that it is the remains of Henry VIIIs private suite of rooms. On my last visit a guide showed me a very small and very old door and that would have connected his inner most rooms to the Bayne Tower. I am not very tall and I would have had to stoop to use this door. I cant imagine the very tall Henry using it, but there it is. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Regarding the Queens apartments immediately above the suite: does anyone know what state it is in and whether it contains Tudor elements?

Also, so the brick columns now on the face of the suite cover Wolseys glass bay windows?

Question from Bron - Anne Boleyn accusing Charles Brandon of Incest

Did Anne Boleyn accuse Charles Brandon of incest with one of his daughters?

In 1531, the Imperial ambassador reported that Anne Boleyn wants to revenge herself on the duke of Suffolk, for having once brought a charge against her honour, (and has) accused him of criminal intercourse with his own daughter. No one knows yet what will come out of all this. [5] La dite dame aussi pour le mesme respect, et pour se venger de ce que le due de sufforcq lauoit autres fois voulu charger de son honneur, luy a fait mectre sus quil se mesloit et copuloit avec sa propre fille (Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, note 302.)

Interesting.

Question from Ray - Nobility at Elizabeth's court c. 1574

Looking for a concise list of ALL Nobility who were at Queen Elizabeth's Court at around 1574. Any ideas on where I can get this list or anyone who has a comprehensive list, I would love a copy of it. This applies to Male AND female Courtiers. HELP!

Question from Peter - Family Alliances

I have come across a number of references where it is stated that certain families had 'alliances'.

It is seldom made clear what the nature of such 'alliances' is.

Does anyone have a view about what the term 'alliance' does and does not imply?

Thank you.
Peter

Question from Bron - Christmas court of 1543

I am trying to find out about the Royal Christmas at the end of 1543. Some sources state that Henry and Parr brought all three children together at Havering, but I can't seem to find any documentation. I would appreciate it if you have any information, please.

Question from Frances - Henry VIII and horse sizes

Is it true that Henry VIII banned all horses under a certain size (maybe 14 hands?) so that only bigger horses would be bred in England?
If so, that would eliminate most Arabian horses.

Question from Mary Ann - Possible 8th child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

This is a question that I have had for many years that I have not been able to clear up. It all started when I read the Agnes Strickland Lives of the Queens of England volume series through an interlibrary loan.

I seem to remember Ms. Strickland mentioning that Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII had another child that died at birth or soon after and that child's name was George, making a total of eight children between Henry VII and Elizabeth. However, I cannot find any other sources to confirm this. I had simply given up ever finding any other sources to confirm this or refute it so I had kind of forgotten about it.

Recently, this all came back to me as I was reading the Plantagenet Somerset Fry book Lives of the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland and I seem to remember it mentioned that some sources state that Henry VII and Elizabeth of York had a son named Edward that appears in some of the correspondence of the period, but the author was not sure if this was another son, or a variant of the name Edmund, the boy that died at about 18 months old.

Any information that anyone has to confirm or refute this would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to know the sources you have that can verify it as well.

Thanks!

Question from Lisa - Christopher Hatton's illegitimate daughter Elizabeth

Many sources say that Christopher Hatton had an illegitimate daughter, named Elizabeth, who then had an illegitimate child with John Perrot. I have been trying to find more information about Elizabeth. When was she born? Who was her mother? Any information will be appreciated.

Question from Mer - Wolsey's death and burial

I just read an interesting photo essay on Leicester Abbey that raises speculation over Wolsey taking his own life (I believe this was also the way The Tudors staged it). Is there convincing proof of suicide, or is this merely a dramatic invention? Also, any news on whether or not they're going to attempt to find Wolsey, given the success with uncovering Richard III?

Questions from Jules - Court 'season' and Charles Brandon's estates c. 1516

Hi!

I'm a published author and am doing research for a novel which will heavily feature Charles Brandon. I specifically need help with two things:
1) the months Henry's court was active - did they have a 'season' - and where everyone resided at that time (i.e the castle name). If you have any links to floor plans and further research, that would be awesome.

2) Brandon's estates/holdings after the time of his marriage to Princess Mary (circa 1516). What did he hold when he married Mary? Any house/castle he lived in/visited frequently? Or was he mainly at court with Henry? Are any of his estates still in existence now?

Many thanks!

Question from Sarah - Lodging for courtiers and spouses

Did married courtiers sleep separately from their spouses whilst at court? If so, when did they ever have carnal knowledge of each other?

Question from Dan - Slaves in Henry VIII's England

Did Henry VIII, or any of his courtiers, have slaves?

Delays in postings and comment approval

I've had a death in my family and so I won't be able to get to postings and comments right away for the next few days. I just wanted to let everyone know.

Question from Tim - Catherine Middleton possible descent from Edward IV

I read that Kate Middleton may have been descended from an aunt of Henry VIII - an illegitimate daughter of Edward IV. Do you think this is true?

[Here's a previous thread on Catherine Middleton's ancestry, although I didn't see any information on this particular relation. - Lara]

http://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2011/03/question-from-guy-tudor-relations-of.html

Question from Orla - Sir William Stanley and the Earldom of Chester

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had more information about Sir William Stanley and his unsuccessful bid to become Earl of Chester. I've recently read War of the Roses by Trevor Royle and he fleetingly mentions Stanley dissatisfaction with Henry VII. The earldom of Chester though was a title used for an heir apparent, and was used for Prince Arthur in 1489, so how long was Stanley petitioning for it? And was he trying to receive another title when Arthur received Chester?

Question from Steve - Thomas Shales, butler to Catherine Howard

I have come into posession of what is described in an attached letter as a portion of a silk dress which belonged to Catherine Howard which was brought from the tower by her butler Thomas Shales. My understanding is that when she was held in Syon Abbey Catherine only had 6 dresses. I have two questions. Was Thomas Shales a royal butler for the queen? Are there any descriptions of those 6 dresses? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Question from Stacey - Henry VII and Perkin Warbeck

I just finished Philippa Gregory's "The White Princess". Part of the book is about the time that Perkin Warbeck spent at the court of Henry VII & that he was given an allowance, treated well & was basically free to come & go. Is this correct? Henry had believed that Warbeck was a huge threat, so why would he allow him at court? Was Henry VII really in love with Warbeck's wife? If so, why didn't he marry her? (sorry for so many questions)