Question from Alix - England and Russia in Elizabeth's reign

I remember reading in one of Alison Weir's books that one of Queen Elizabeth's ladies was apparently offered a hand in marriage by the Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible. I haven't read that book about Queen Elizabeth in a while, but I was wondering if anyone here knew if that marriage proposal actually happened.
Also, did England and Russia back then have any communication with each other? Ever since I heard about that marriage proposal, I've been wondering if England and Russia ever really communicated with each other in trade or anything.

[Ed note: The first part of this was addressed in the previous thread below:]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/08/question-from-liz-ivan-iv-in-england.html

Question from Victoria - Regard for William Cecil

I know that Sir William Cecil was a great advisor to Elizabeth and she relied upon his wisdom. My question is how was he regarded by the noblemen since he seemed to have spies everywhere, and everyone was suspect to their loyalty of the Queen.

Question from Erin - Mary and Anne at the French Court

In Phillipa Gregory's novel,'The Other Boleyn Girl,' Anne Boleyn went to serve in the French court by herself and was not as close to Mary as it appears Robin Maxwell thought in her novel, 'Mademoiselle Boleyn.' I do understand that Ms. Gregory's is written from the other sister's point of view, but it gets so confusing with every author putting out different stories. So, my question for you, which one's right? Did Anne and Mary become closer after living several years together in the French court?
In fact, I have a couple more questions written down that I would like to ask you.
In Maxwell's novel, 'Mademoiselle Boleyn,' Mary and Anne are sent together to France to serve under Mary Tudor. Their father keeps them there and according to Maxwell, Anne and Mary were even in the presence of Leonardo Da Vinci. Is it so?
Robin Maxwell also sees that Mary Boleyn is Francois', the French King at the time, mistress for at least over a year. However, I thought that in, 'The Other Boleyn Girl,' Phillipa said that Mary lost her virginity to King Henry, since her first husband did not desire her.
I realize that these are questions more likely for the authors to answer, but some feedback from people that will actually respond to me would be fantastic- especially those of you coming across this site!
I am NOT doing this for a school project, but I am a ninth grader in Indiana. If you could just please give me some answers, or explanations, I would be forever grateful--oh, and sorry about making this so long!
-Erin

Question from Elizabeth M. - Mary Boleyn's burial

I remember reading somewhere--can't remember exactly where--that although there is a death date for Mary Boleyn documented, there is no record of where she was interred? Does anyone know where she might be buried?

[Ed. note - This was already asked in the thread below but since it has been nearly three years I thought I would post it again in case anyone has new information.]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2006/03/question-from-sue-mary-boleyn.html

Question from Sam (aka Merlin) - If Anne had died of the sweating sickness

What do you think would have happened if Anne Boleyn had succumbed to the sweating sickness and died? Would Henry have gone back to Katherine? I'd be interested in opinions..

[Ed. note - the sweating sickness outbreak that caused Anne to be quarantined at Hever was in the summer of 1528]

Question from Sara - Amy Robsart Dudley's death

So for an A level assighnment, i've decided to look at the death of Amy Dudley/Robsart and who would have the motivation to murder her.

The options being: Elizebeth, Cecil, or Robert

I've got good basic knowledge. But i'm struggling to find quotes from historians stating there views. Just odd words that i can use to infer their beliefs on the topic.

Please help? I've been looking for 2 months, and haven't found anything.

Question from Olivia - Fiction book recommendations

hello
i am in 8th grade and i have seriously been obsessed with Tudor England for a long time (long time for a 13 year old, anyway)
and i really enjoy reading as much about the tudors and any english royal house in general.
although i do enjoy the straight information books, i love more than anything the ficton ones
like "Innocent Traitor" by Alison Weir, and "the Lady Elizabeth" also by Alison Weir
but i've been having a real problem finding books like that lately
does anyone have any suggestions as to what books like those i could find that are availible in the US? thank you!

Question from Andrew - Jobs of the rich and poor

Hello, my 9 year old son has a homework assigment to portray the differences between rich & poor employment during the Tudor period. We live in a very small country with no research libraries. We have not had any luck finding information on jobs via the web. Any suggestions? thanks!

[Ed. note - there was a little about the 'rich' jobs in the thread below]
https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/12/question-from-elizabeth-nobles-at-court.html

Question from Mike - Nicolas Udall

This is in reference to the question on homosexuals in the Tudor era. I may be wrong but, I had read somewhere about a man by the name of Nicolas Udall (the spelling maybe wrong) a cleric I believe, who was also charged under the "Buggery Act". Is there anyone familiar with this gentleman?

Question from Diane - Memorials to Catherine or Mary in Spain

Are there any memorials to Catherine of Aragon and/or Mary I in Spain?

Question from Gervase - Homosexuals in Tudor England

Does anyone know if during the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I if any men or women were known homosexuals, and if so, how were they treated? Were they banished or allowed to remain active within the social activities without being made an example of prejudice?

[Ed. note - This was mostly covered in the thread below, but I don't think Gervase has been getting my direct emails about it, so I decided to go ahead and post it. Plus, this way any who wants to make additional comments can do so.]

https://queryblog.tudorhistory.org/2008/03/question-from-angie-homosexuality-in.html

Question from Amber - Interview on Anne Boleyn for senior project

My name is Amber I am 17 and I'm a senior in high school. In order for me to graduate, I'm required to give a "Senior Project". This past summer I visited England (which I visited Hampton Court), and that was the start of my fascination with Tudor History. I then realized that I wanted to do my project on Anne Boleyn. I read "The Other Boleyn Girl." and watched the movie too. I've done a little research just to familiarize myself with her life. For my senior project, I need an Interview... I wanted to post a few questions for my interview on here in hopes that someone would be so generous to assist me with them. If you do answer them, I will need your name, it's required for recording my interview. If you would like to personally send your answers, my email address is adeamb@live.com – I must not fail to mention, my interview MUST be handed in on the 16th of March.

[Note from Lara - I've decided not to post all the interview questions here, so if you are interested in helping Amber out please contact her directly (her email address is in the question above). Also, if you volunteer, please post something in the comments so everyone will know. Thanks!

PS: Thanks to Amber for emailing two *months* before the project is due... most often I get these types of things about a *week* before they are due!]

Question from Elizabeth M. - Boleyn-Wyatt family connection

How was Anne Boleyn related to the poet Thomas Wyatt? I have read they were cousins.

Question from Nikki - Mary as Princess of Wales

I am reading "bloody mary" by carolly erickson. she states that princess mary became "princess of wales," the first girl to beknown by that title, officially. the footnote says "lord ferrers, steward of mary's welsh household, referred to her council as "the prince's council. L.P. IV:i:ii, 830."

i had no idea she was princess of wales?

Question from Mary Ann - Catherine of Aragon's tomb

Why does Catherine of Aragon's tomb at Peterborough Cathedral say "Katharine the Queen" on it? When was that added? Thanks for your help!

Question from Anonymous - Holbein tapestry designs

Are there any Holbein experts out there who are aware of any work created by Hobein for tapestries? I have a tapestry that has all the earmarks of a Holbein creation, except there is no recorded history to be found regarding such. Not even cartoons associated with tapestry, although he did work with textiles, jewelry, theartre sets, etc., why not tapestry? Henry VIII and Wolsey owned hundreds of tapestries, surely Holbein may have been involved.

[Ed. note- This came in the comments to another thread, but I thought it should be bumped up to a post of its own]

Question from TudorRose - Contriband Blue

I think that the chocolate blue riband got its name from the colour that was most popular in Elizabehan England contriband blue. What does everybody else think?

Question from Nicole - Mary Grey's appearance

I have read that Mary Grey, Jane Grey's sister, was a hunchback. What exactly does this mean? Did she have some type of physical deformaty?

[Ed. Note: This was touched on in the thread about "The Sisters Who Would Be Queen", but I thought would be good to have it in a post of its own in case others came looking for info.]

Question from Tracey - Bargeboards

This is a question concerning architecture.

>From a description of Ightham Mote-

"...oak bargeboards in the cobbled courtyard are carved with twining branches carrying the Tudor rose of England, the fleur-de-lis of France, and the pomegranate of Granada, the badge of Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. This armorial decoration was overseen by Ightham's owner, Richard Clement, in 1521."

What are bargeboards?

Question from Catherine - Jane Seymour's attractiveness

Was jane seymour pretty or ugly?

Question from Pippa - Henry VIII and being King

Did Henry the 8th ever wish he wasn't King?

Question from Elizabeth M. - Elizabeth Norton's bio of Anne Boleyn

Has anyone read an advance copy of Elizabeth Norton's biography of ANNE BOLEYN, due out in February?

Question from Ann - Travel from England to Spain

can anybody help me. I am trying to find the average time for a voyage from England to Spain during the reign of Henry VIII. Thanks.

Further info from Ann: What I'm looking for is the approximate crossing time from Tilbury to Bilbao to be more exact.

Question from Diana - Anne writing to Henry concerning Elizabeth

Does any one know if Anne wrote to Henry in regards to the Princess Elizabeth? I find very little information on Anne's relationship with the Princess. Can anyone refer me to letters or resources? Thanks,

Diana

Question from Elizabeth M. - Familial connections between Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour

Wow, I may be the first post of the New Year!! Happy New year everybody!!
My question concerns the familial relationship between Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. They shared a great-grandmother in Elizabeth Cheney. Jane Seymour's mother, Margaret Wentworth, was a daughter of Anne Say, Elizabeth Cheney's daughter from a marriage to John Say. Anne Boleyn's mother, Elizabeth Howard, was the daughter of Elizabeth Tylney, Elizabeth Cheney's daughter from her marriage to Frederick Tylney.
This is never mentioned in the histories I have read that Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour were so closely related. Why is that? Did Anne and Jane know--it seems they would, because pedigree was everything back then.