Illuminations: The Private Life of Medieval Kings

Posted by Sarah
Illuminations: The Private Life of Medieval Kings
Presented by Dr Janina Ramirez

In this popular three part series, Art Historian Dr Janina Ramirez tells the story of the Medieval monarchy as revealed through stunning illuminated manuscripts from the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection.
Embellished with gold, painted in jewel-like colour these manuscripts took months, even years, to produce and were priceless beyond compare. Few people have ever seen them, other than the kings who owned them. As vibrant today as when they were first penned, they are miraculous survivors of a lost world.
By using her unique expert knowledge to decode these manuscripts, Dr Ramirez offers us a unique insight into the lives of long-dead kings. From the rueful footnote detailing Edward II's demise - 'I am called the tumbledown king and all the world mocks me' - to Henry VIII's scribbled love notes to Anne Boleyn in the margins of his Bible, we see a succession of kings battling to shape an unruly nation and sometimes fighting for their lives.
It's an epic story which spans 800 years, beginning with the unification of England under the Anglo-Saxons continuing with the 100 Years War with France, and ending with the brutal magnificence of Henry VIII.I recently had the great pleasure of watching the three part documentary entitled

Illuminations: The Private Life of Kings which looked at manuscripts and illuminations from the time of the Anglo Saxon Kings right through to the reign of Henry VIII. I was absolutely fascinated by this series and found it a wonderful presentation not just about the use of manuscripts but how they were so closely linked with the great Kings of England.

The series was presented by Dr Janina Ramirez, whom I admit that I had never heard of before, but after watching this series now think that she is utterly fantastic. Dr Ramirez is an art historian with a degree in English Literature and Language. She is wonderfully exciting and brings a real love and passion to this series which can be seen through her delight and joy at looking through the manuscripts.

The series looked at the development of the manuscript and how it was used by English Kings and Kings of other nations throughout the years. Manuscripts were not just books to be read, they were extraordinarily powerful tools which conveyed a multitude of meanings. Dr Ramirez showed through this series that the illuminations within the pages of a manuscript were just as important, if not more so than the actual text itself. These illuminations were a fantastic propaganda tool in which the King could depict himself in a manner and style in which he wanted to be seen. The illuminations within the pages of the manuscript conveyed a multitude of meanings from the King’s religious views, his thoughts and feelings on war to his determination to create a strong and powerful country. 

Many of the manuscripts that survive today are religious texts and books of prayer and the images within these were linked to this idea of the King’s connection and devotion to God and the Catholic faith. They are beautiful ways to deptict the holy divinity of the King and how he was destined to rule England. It was also fascinating to see actual pictures of Kings painted into the pages of these books, faces of real men who lived hundreds upon hundreds of years ago. 

What I really enjoyed about this series was how Dr Ramirez linked the images and details within the manuscript with the happenings of England throughout the ages. She did not just sit down and look through the pages of the manuscript, she showed the viewer where some of these manuscripts may have been made. She walked the halls of great buildings and gave detailed history behind the Kings represented within the pages of each book. She talked about the English history and how details of great battles and events were depicted within different books. It was a wonderful way to connect the illuminations with the actual happenings of the time.

Dr Ramirez also showed how the vellum of the manuscripts were made. She spoke about how cow and other animal skin was used and the viewer got to see the actual, if not a little disgusting, process used to make the delicate yet durable pages. My three year old daughter found this part of the series absolutely captivating and now refers to paper as cow paper! Dr Ramirez also showed how the ancient manuscripts were bound so delicately and carefully and how sturdy these ancient books became. I was really fascinated with the actual illumination process and the great care, time and devotion that went into creating a single image. Gold was used for the most magnificent manuscripts and truly these books would have been great treasures only affordable by Kings and the very wealthy. 

I must admit that I also had a little shiver run down my spine when Dr Ramirez presented the prayer book that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn had written messages of love to one another. I am particularly interested with the reign of Henry VIII and the life of Anne Boleyn so to see a book held by these two personally important figures was just wonderful. 

I also really loved the sound of the pages being turned of these amazing and ancient manuscripts. I am the sort of person that will chose a book over a kindle any day! I love the feeling of a book, the sound of the pages being turned, the weight in my hands, the smell of the old pages, really there is nothing quite like the experience of holding and reading a book and I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been for Dr Ramirez to turn the pages, to breath in the scent and to marvel at these manuscripts which were hundreds upon hundreds of years old. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this series and am so glad that I was able to watch. I found that I learnt such a great deal about previous Kings and Queens of England and events that happened within the history of England. I learnt about how manuscripts were more than just books, but they were extraordinarily powerful tools used for propaganda, spreading views and opinions. Certainly the illuminations within the pages of these ancient books spoke far louder than the text ever could. They were simply breathtaking and it is quite sad that many of these illuminations are hidden away in libraries and not on display because they are just as beautiful and breathtaking as many portraits and paintings of the time. This was an absolutely fascinating series, one in which I would suggest that any lover of English history, art or books must watch. 

 Dr Janina Ramirez looking through a manuscript.
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Mary Boleyn The Unknown Sister: Part One Birth

Posted by Sarah
I have always been utterly fascinated by Mary Boleyn, older sister of Anne Boleyn (second wife of Henry VIII and Queen Consort of England) and find her to be a great source of inspiration. Over the last few months I have been furiously writing about her life and I am excited to share the link to the first part of my ten part series which looks at the life and mysteries surrounding Mary Boleyn. I am VERY excited to be guest posting on The Anne Boleyn Files, a wonderful and informative website dedicated to Anne Boleyn and Tudor history run by the amazing Claire Ridgway.



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Man & Monarch Henry VIII by David Starkey and Susan Doran

Posted by Sarah
Man & Monarch Henry VIII by David Starkey and Susan Doran

2009 marks 500 years since Henry VIII took the throne and to mark this important anniversary, historian and broadcaster David Starkey has guest curated a major exhibition at the British Library.
This catalogue of the exhibition examines the extraordinary transformation – personal and political, intellectual and religious, literary, aesthetic and linguistic – that took place in Henry’s reign. It does so using the astonishingly rich holdings of the British Library, for at the heart of the Library’s collection is Henry’s own library: the books that he chose, read and annotated, and the documents and letters that he wrote. These are accompanied by descriptions of items loaned by other museums and collections, including portraits, tapestry, nautical instruments and sculpture, to create a book which is visually stunning and offers a new insight into this Tudor monarch who continues to cast a spell over the public imagination 500 years after his accession.
Henry is not only England’s best-known king, with his sex wives, his girth and his bloodthirstiness. He is also one of England’s most important rulers. When he came to the throne, Henry was the Pious Prince who ruled an England at the heart of Catholic Europe; when he died, he was the great Schismatic, who had created a national Church and insular, xenophobic politics that shaped the development of England for the next half a millennium.
This handsomely produced catalogue includes colour illustrations and descriptions of all the exhibits as well as an introduction by David Starkey and essays by leading scholars – James Carley, Susan Doran, Steven Funn, Ralph Houlbrooke, Eric Ives, Diarmaid MacCulloch, Peter Marshall, Richard Tex and Glenn Richardson.

When I heard that this book was going to be released I just knew that I had to get a copy. This book has a very special significance to me as I had the great pleasure of visiting London in October/November 2009. I was able to visit the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abby and Hever Castle, some of which were putting on special exhibitions and displays to celebrate the 500 year anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. I was particularly thrilled to be able to visit the extravagant exhibition “Dressed to Kill” at the Tower of London which displayed many different types of armour, weaponry and jousting and sport related items as well as a range of other magnificent pieces designed and created during Henry VIII’s life. 
Quite simply this book is beautiful. It is a must have for anyone who holds an interest in Henry VIII and/or Tudor history. It is an extremely valuable resource as within the pages of this book are hundreds of beautiful and detailed images all related to the reign of Henry VIII. The book is curated by Dr David Starkey and has chapters written by such famous historians as David Starkey, Susan Doran and Eric Ives. 

The book is essentially a chronological pictorial display of Henry VIII’s life, from his birth right up until his last will and succession. Each chapter starts off with a brief introduction talking about a particular part of Henry’s life. For example the first chapter in the book is entitled ‘The Young Henry (1491-1509)’ and the introduction talks about Henry VIII’s birth and his early years. Then within each chapter are pictures, portraits, paintings and images of artefacts related to Henry’s early years. Alongside each picture is a brief description of the picture and how it was significant to Henry VIII or Tudor history. Each chapter continues on in such a manner, detailing various years of Henry VIII’s life, through his succession as King of England, his first marriage, his determination to seek an annulment of his marriage so he could marry Anne Boleyn, his quest to become Supreme Head of the English Church, Henry VIII’s other four marriages, crisis’s that he faced as King, his later years and finally his death, will and succession. Each chapter goes into great detail about Henry VIII’s life and the accompanying images give a greater depth and allow the reader a closer insight into what life would have been like for the infamous King.  

What makes this book so stunning is the multitude of pictures included within the pages. For me I saw this as a picture book for adults which displayed Henry VIII’s life in a series of gorgeous images. Within the pages are photos of tombs, sketches, portraits, photos of artefacts, manuscripts, licences and decrees, vellums, prayer books and most amazingly letters. There were many, many letters included within this book. Letter’s written by influential members of Henry VIII’s court, letters from important members of the Catholic Church, Scholars, Kings of Europe and most amazingly letters that Henry VIII himself wrote. I found these letters, written by the hand of Henry to be the most captivating. Certainly his writing resembles closely to his mothers and it could very well be that she was the one that taught him how to read and write as a young boy. These letters, hundreds upon hundreds of years old, are some of the closest and most personal links we have with one of the most magnificent and larger than life Kings of England. I felt as though looking at these letters gave me an almost personal link to Henry VIII.

On a side note I also loved looking at and studying the letter that Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk wrote to Henry VIII after he had gone against Henry’s instructions and married his sister Mary. I have a personal interest in the Duke of Suffolk and find him to be quite a compelling and amazing man. It was fascinating to look at the letter he had written and I could not help but think that he really did have quite appealing handwriting!!!

As well as Henry VIII’s letters I also really enjoyed studying the many portraits that were included in the book. There were portraits of course of Henry VIII, his wives and children but I also found the portraits of other members of his court equally as fascinating. These were people who unfortunately at times history only provides a few details. I cannot help but wonder who really were these people? Not just the public figures they presented themselves as at court, but on a personal level? What made these people tick? What were their likes? Their dislikes? What did they fear? What did they enjoy? This book contained so many beautiful portraits, each containing a person with a wonderful and detailed life of which I would love to know more about.

I also thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the images of artefacts and items which had belonged to Henry VIII; items such as maps, prayer books and theological books. It is just fascinating to think that Henry VIII held these items within his hands, read them, studied them and sometimes made marks or comments on them. Pieces of personal property belonging to Henry VIII that are almost five hundred years old. Thankfully they still survive today for us to be able to look at and study.

I will never be able to hold or touch or even see many of the portraits, letters, books, artefacts and other items contained within the pages of this book. Yet that is why this book is such a brilliant resource, because it brings all of these stunning items right to the reader’s hands. Instead of having to travel around the world people have the opportunity to look through the pages of this book and gain an idea of the many items which once belonged to Henry VIII that still survive today as well as learning about Henry VIII and his reign. This is a fascinating, detailed and extremely captivating book that contains a great wealth of information. Certainly this is a must have for anyone interested in the life of Henry VIII or Tudor history.


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GIVE AWAY!

Posted by Sarah
GIVE AWAY!

I am very excited to announce another give away, this time a joint give away between Anne Boleyn: Queen to History and Deri Dolls! The most wonderful and amazing Deri has made a female Tudor doll which I am most delighted to be able to give away. Deri has most kindly given all the details about the stunning doll below…

Hello! I'm Deri, the brains and sore fingers behind the Deridolls my dear friend Sarah has been so kind to mention here on occasion and it is my pleasure to offer the prize for this giveaway. Being in tune with this blog's theme, it is, of course, a Tudor doll.


  • She is wearing a white felt partlet, stitched in black on the neckline and "fastened" with a bead fake  button.    
  • Her burgundy underskirt is embroidered in a golden net pattern, enriched with goldean beads.
  • The gown is actually a two piece set, the skirt has the characteristic inverted-V cut-out of the period and the guards are made of satin ribbon trimmed with golden cord.  The bodice, also decorated with satin ribbon trimmed with golden cord, has a tabbed waistline, each tab accented with golden cord.      
  • Tudor sleeves are famous for their many layers and these are no exception.Her sleeves have ribbon ruffles embroidered in black blanket stitching to suggest the beautiful blackwork common to the period.
  • The overlaying sleeve, like the underskirt, is embroidered in a golden pattern detailed with golden beads and, finally, the ruched/puffed cap sleeves are slashed and each slash is accented with burgundy ribbon.
  • But the fashion statement of the Tudor period has to have been the headgear! This little doll is donning a stunning french hood, decorated with beads and pearls, and, on the bottom row, golden embroidery is encasing each bead. Underneath it, she has a pearled ivory coloured cap, and, beneath it all, a pleated ribbon coif completes the look.

    The doll was inspired by the beautiful gown of an historical reenactress which you can see here:


    As you can see Deri has put in a great deal of time and detail into making this beautiful Tudor doll. I also must add that the doll was designed and made in a smoke free, pet friendly home.

    How can you win?

    Deri and I are very excited to be able to give this fantastic doll away to one lucky member of the Anne Boleyn: From Queen to History Facebook page. All you have to do for your chance to win is simply like the facebook page. Just press the like button on my facebook page and you’re in the draw … it’s as simple as that! Deri and I will then randomly select a winner from all the members of the page.

    We are very excited about giving away this beautiful Deri Tudor Doll. I have to say that she is absolutely stunning and the detail in her dress and headdress is simply breathtaking! Head on over and like Anne Boleyn: Queen to History Facebook page for your chance to win!

    Anne Boleyn: From Queen to History

    If you like this little Tudor doll and want to get your own Tudor related Deri Doll you can purchase Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard, Anne of Cleves and/or Catherine Parr from: The Anne Boleyn Files
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    Tuesday's Tudor Tableau - Traitors' Gate

    Posted by Sarah


    This week’s photo is of Traitor’s Gate at the Tower of London. I took this photo in October 2009 when I visited the Tower of London. It is a common misconception that Anne Boleyn, upon her arrest and arrival at the Tower of London, entered through Traitor’s Gate. On the late afternoon of May 2nd 1536 the barge conducting Anne to the Tower landed at The Tower Gate, now days known as Byward Tower. It was here through the Court Cate in the Byward Tower, and not at Traitor’s Gate, that Anne was conducted within the walls of the great Tower of London.  

    According to Historic Royal palaces ‘Experience the Tower of London Guide’ Traitors’ Gate was “originally built for Edward I between 1275 and 1279, this new watergate called St Thomas’s Tower was a daring variation on the traditional defensive gate tower. Discreetly defended by arrowloops, the building had gilded window bars and painted sculpture on its exterior. Edward’s royal barge could be moored beneath the great archway, built using cutting edge Crusader castle-construction technology gleaned from the King’s time fighting in the Holy Land.” (p. 21)

    In addition the guide states that “the timber framing above the archway is a memento of happy times for Anne Boleyn. It was constructed in 1532 by Henry VIII’s Master Carpenter, James Nedeham, as part of the excited rush to renovate the Tower ready for Anne’s coronation in June 1533” (p. 21)

    Anne Boleyn may have walked past Traitors’ Gate to the Queen’s Lodgings upon her arrival at the Tower of London after her arrest, but she did not enter the Tower through Traitors’ Gate. Even though Anne did not enter through this gate I still have to admit, having stood at the top of the steps and looked down, it is rather a haunting place. I had a shiver run down my spine and I could only begin to imagine what the prisoners who were actually brought in through the gate were thinking. Would they ever see the light of freedom again? Or would death be their fate?

    Here is a photo I also took of Traitors’ Gate from the river Thames…


     

     
    Dolman, B, Holmes, S, Impey, E and Spooner, J. 2009, Historic Royal Palaces Experience the Tower of London, Historic Royal Palaces, Surrey.

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    Sisters to the King By Maria Perry

    Posted by Sarah

    Look what the postman brought for me yesterday…


    Sisters to the King
    By Maria Perry

    Much as been written about Henry VIII and his six wives, but his sisters, Margaret and Mary, have had less of the limelight – until Maria Perry examined their amazing lives and their influence on European history in this enthralling book.
    In the Tudor age both Margaret and Mary were thought to be the more important personalities than Henry’s six wives. Margaret became Queen of Scotland at the age of thirteen. Mary, Henry’s famously beautiful younger sister, was married off to the ageing King of France. Against convention both chose their second husbands for love. Mary risked her head by proposing to the handsome Duke of Suffolk; Margaret’s husband James IV was killed by Henry’s armies, her children were snatched from her and her two subsequent husband betrayed her, yet she defied convention twice by seeking divorce.
    Wonderfully illuminating and truly groundbreaking, Sisters to the King not only reveals two remarkable historical figures, but radically alters our view of Henry VIII and Tudor history.

    I have for quite some time been interested in Henry VIII’s sisters, specifically Mary Tudor and her second husband Charles Brandon. I have read little bits and pieces about their lives and have to admit that I have read more about Mary Tudor through my love and interest in Charles Brandon, yet I have not read any books specifically about either sister. I decided to change that and when I saw this book on amazon and knew I had to get it. Published in 1998 I hope that this book will shed more light on who Mary and Margaret were as women and their fascinating lives. I’m very excited to start reading although have to admit I have several other Tudor books I must finish before I get to this one!
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    Mary Boleyn Deri Doll

    Posted by Sarah


    Mary Boleyn Deri Doll

    I am very excited to announce the arrival at court of my beautiful Mary Boleyn Deri Doll!! I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Mary Boleyn Deri doll for a little while now and yesterday she arrived safe and sound and looking absolutely stunning on my front door step! 

    The wonderful Deri is a very dear friend of mine and I can proudly say that my little Anne Boleyn Deri Doll was the very first Anne Boleyn doll ever to be sent overseas… she is an original, a one of a kind and now I have another original, one of a kind Mary Boleyn Deri Doll! As most of you are aware I am quite fascinated (and somewhat obsessed!) with the life of Mary Boleyn. I think she is an utterly incredible and extremely inspiring woman and I have read and written quite a lot about her. I wanted a Mary Boleyn Deri doll of my own and I contacted the amazing Deri who was able to create and bring Mary Boleyn to life… in miniature doll form! 

    I am just thrilled to have my very own Mary Boleyn Deri Doll, she is just stunning and the intricate detail in her clothing and gabled hood just amazes me! The fine gold thread work on her dress is just breathtaking and I am in love with the beads on her gabled hood, they just look incredible! The Mary Boleyn Deri doll is based on the Lucus Hornebolte miniature painted in 1525 which I believe is not a miniature of Anne Boleyn but in fact a portrait of Mary Boleyn. I sent a picture of the Hornebolte miniature to Deri and she let her fingers and creativity get to work and created this magnificent and exquisite doll for me. I think she is just beautiful and the intricate details of her clothing, jewellery and gabled hood are just gorgeous. 

    I am also now very happy to say that the Boleyn sisters are one more back together! Although it might be in miniature doll form they seem very happy to stand proudly side by side on my bookshelf! (Not to mention that they are both now watching over me as I type… which I think may be rather weird when I am writing about one or both of the sisters! I do hope no jealousy arises!) 

    If you are interested and want to get your own Tudor related Deri Doll you can purchase Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard, Anne of Cleves and/or Catherine Parr from: The Anne Boleyn Files

    If you wanted another Tudor style doll or in fact any other doll from history, fictional character, tv, book etc. then you can contact Deri at: deri_dolls@yahoo.com 

    I am so thrilled to have my very own Mary Boleyn Deri Doll, she is just exquisite and I love her to pieces!
     
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