Tuesday's Tudor Tableau - Henry VIII Letter Opener

Posted by Sarah


Today’s photo is of a Henry VIII letter opener which is designed to look like a small dagger. I bought this for my husband when I was at the Tower of London in October 2009. My husband is so wonderful putting up with my constant ramblings about Anne and Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII that I just had to get him a little something so he can share my obsession. I saw this letter opener with Holbein’s famous portrait of Henry VIII on it and I knew I just had to get it for hubby. I was so surprised that I was able to get it not only through British customs but also through Australian customs! (Let’s face it, the letter opener is quite sharp and could be used as a dangerous weapon!)

Long story short my husband thinks the letter opener is just great! I have to admit that hubby rather resembles old Henry VIII. He’s just a little taller than Henry was and is just as round (he he he he) and he has a ginger tint to his beard! Very Henry-esque! Over the last two years I have often caught my hubby dashing about the house pretending that the letter opener is a Tudor sword! But shhh don't tell him I told you that!
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Guest Article and Give Away!

Posted by Sarah
GUEST ARTICLE and GIVE AWAY!

I am very excited to announce a guest writer! Claire Ridgway from the fantastic The Anne Boleyn Files will be writing a guest post for this blog on the 7th March 2012. I cannot give away all the details but can say that Claire will be writing an article related to Anne Boleyn. I am very excited about this guest post as Claire is such a wonderful writer and truly knows her history when it comes to the life of Anne! She is also a very dear friend and I value her knowledge greatly.

In addition to this Claire has so kindly donated two incredible gifts for a GIVE AWAY in conjunction with her guest article! Claire will be giving away a signed copy of her book AND a B or A Anne Boleyn necklace! I have read Claire's book and have to say that it is a truly brilliant and informative read, definitely a must have for any Tudor history fan! PLUS you could win either your choice of an Anne Boleyn "A" or "B" necklace! I have a "B" necklace and absolutely adore it, once again something that truly reminds me of Anne Boleyn.

 

All you need to do to be in the running for this latest give away is to either like my facebook page or to leave a comment and your e-mail address on Claire’s guest article which will appear on this site on March 7th 2012. 

If you are interested in Claire’s latest book, The Anne Boleyn Collection, you can purchase it by clicking on the following link: The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgway

Also you can learn more about Claire Ridgway and her brilliant website here: The Anne Boleyn Files
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Katherine of Aragon

Posted by Sarah
Katherine of Aragon


Born: 16th December 1485 at Alcala de Henares

Mother: Queen Isabel I of Castile 

Father: King Ferdinand of Aragon

Married:
1) Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales on 14th November 1501 at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
2) Henry Tudor, King of England on 11th June 1509 at Greenwich Church 

Children:  
1) 31st January 1510: Stillborn daughter
2) 1st January 1511 – 22nd February 1511: Prince Henry
3) 17th September 1513: Stillborn son
4) November 1514: Son who died shortly after birth
5) 18th February 1516 – 17th November 1558: Princess Mary
6) 10th November 1518: Stillborn daughter

Reign: 11th June 1509 – 23rd May 1533

Coronation: 24th June 1509

Marriage status: Annulled 23rd May 1533. Due to the possible consummation of Katherine’s first marriage to Henry VIII’s brother Arthur. Henry VIII based this upon the biblical text in Leviticus which states that a man shall not marry his brother’s widow. 

Motto: Humble and Loyal

Died: 7th January 1536 at Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire

Buried: 29th January 1536 at Peterborough Abby 

Signature:

Badge:



Eakins, L 2012, ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’, viewed 19th February 2012, Available from Internet <http://tudorhistory.org/wives/>.

Loades, D 2010, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Amberly Publishing, Gloucestershire.

Luminarium 2011, ‘Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature’, viewed 19th February 2012, <http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/>.

Ridgway, Claire 2010, ‘The Pregnancies of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon’, viewed 19th February 2012, Available from Internet .

Ridgway, Claire 2012, ‘Six Wives’, viewed 19th February 2012, Available from Internet < http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/bios/six-wives/>.

Starkey, D 2003, Six Wives The Queens of Henry VIII, Vintage, London. 

Weir, A 1991, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Grove Press, New York.
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The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgeway

Posted by Sarah
The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgeway

Should Anne Boleyn be pardoned and reburied as Queen?
Anne Boleyn and "The Other Boleyn Girl".
Did Anne Boleyn dig her own grave?
The Six Wives’ stereotypes - are they right?
Did Anne Boleyn commit incest with her brother?
"The Anne Boleyn Collection" brings together the most popular articles from top Tudor website The Anne Boleyn Files. Articles which have provoked discussion and debate. Articles that people have found fascinating. Written in Claire's easy-going style, but with an emphasis on good history and sound research, these articles are perfect reading for Tudor history lovers everywhere.
Discover the REAL truth about the Tudors

Claire Ridgway runs the fantastic website called “The Anne Boleyn Files”. To celebrate the websites three year anniversary Claire gathered a number of fascinating articles which were written since the website was started. These articles were compiled together in this brilliant book which gives the reader an in depth look at the life, myths and mysteries that surround one of England’s most famous Queens – Anne Boleyn. 

This book is full of interesting and fascinating facts and information. Claire challenges many of the myths and perceptions that surround Anne Boleyn including if she had six fingers, if she committed incest with her brother George Boleyn and the million dollar question, did Anne Boleyn commit adultery? She also details various events in Anne’s life as well as the members of her household and family. Claire uses comprehensive research to support her articles and it is clear that great care and time has gone into checking and double checking all of the information within this book. Claire also gives details about sources she has referenced in her articles and also suggests a list of books for further reading. 

Several articles within this book also look at modern day representations of Anne Boleyn including the movie The Other Boleyn Girl and the television series The Tudors. It is fascinating to see how Anne is portrayed in these various representations and how one of England’s most famous Queens has been perceived and represented in a multitude of ways. Tragic Heroine? Whore? Temptress? Witch? Scandal of Christendom? Martyr? Victim of a tyrannical husband? Or a woman of deep conviction? Claire explores all of these perceptions and more. 

As well as giving detailed information about Anne Boleyn, Claire also looks at Henry VIII and his other wives including Katherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr. I really enjoyed gaining an insight into the women who played a part of Henry VIII’s life and Claire challenged many of the modern day perceptions which surround these women. Claire also gave a fascinating look at Anne Boleyn’s relationship with Henry VIII, their marriage and Anne’s interactions with Katherine of Aragon.  

I was also very interested in reading about Anne Boleyn’s fall and the five men accused with her. Claire writes in a personal manner which reaches out to the reader and draws them in and I could not help but feel moved when reading about Anne’s last moments. At the end of her book Claire does not tell the reader what to think or believe about Anne Boleyn; instead she encourages the reader to make up their own mind, to interpret and develop their own understanding of Anne. 

Through reading this book I could feel Claire Ridgway’s passion and dedication to all things Anne Boleyn. Claire’s aim is to share the real truth about Anne Boleyn and I think she did a wonderful job of doing just that! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learnt quite a lot about a woman who has captured the attention of people for centuries. What is great about Claire’s book is that it can be read from start to finish or the reader can pick and choose which article they would like to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found that once I started I could not put it down! I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Anne Boleyn or Tudor history. 


If anyone is interested you can purchase the book from amazon.com: The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgway
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Mary Boleyn The Unknown Sister: Part Four France

Posted by Sarah
In part four on my series on Mary Boleyn I will be looking at Mary's time in France between 1514 and 1520. During this time history tells us that Mary became the msitress of the new French King, Francis I. But is this a fact? Or a myth that has developed from harsh words aimed at Mary's sister Anne? To find out what I think please follow the link to The Anne Boleyn Files for the fourth part of my series on the mysteries of Mary Boleyn...
Mary Boleyn The Unknown Sister: Part Four France 
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Quick Question: How old was Henry VIII when he became King?

Posted by Sarah

Quick Question: How old was Henry VIII when he became King?

Henry VIII was the third child born to King Henry VII and his wife and Queen Elizabeth of York. Henry VIII was born on 28th June 1491 at Greenwich Palace. As the third child and second son Henry was not destined to take over the throne upon his father’s death. Henry’s older brother Arthur, born 20th September 1489, was next in line for the throne. Tragically he died on 2nd April 1502 at just fifteen years of age. With his brother’s death Henry Tudor was the only son and male heir of Henry VII.

Henry VII had claimed the throne from Richard III at the battle of Bosworth on the 22nd of August 1485 where his army defeated the army of Richard III. Upon Richard’s death during the battle Henry VII claimed the throne and Kingship. Henry VII ruled for twenty four years. Henry VII died of possible tuberculosis on 21st April 1509.

With this father’s death Henry Tudor, second and ‘spare’ heir, succeeded his father to the English throne. Henry VIII was proclaimed King on April 24th 1509. He was two months short of his eighteenth birthday. 


Henry VIII, painted approximately 1509.


Weir, A 2008, Henry VIII King & Court, Vintage Books, London.

Luminarium,  2011, ‘Henry VIII’, viewed 22nd October 2011, Available from Internet
< http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/tudorbio.htm>.


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Windsor Castle

Posted by Sarah
Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle has a long and rich history dating back to the time of William the Conqueror in the late eleventh century. William the Conqueror started building Windsor Castle in 1070 and work was completed in 1086. The great castle was built as a means to defend and secure the western path towards London. The castle was built on an earth mound which supported a keep. The castle has an Upper and Lower Ward. Initially the walls around the castle were made of timber but King Henry II changed this and rebuilt the outer walls using stone. 

Over the next several hundred years the castle of Windsor was rebuilt and developed. The initial keep built by William the Conqueror was replaced with the Round Tower in 1170. Edward III transformed Windsor Castle from a defence castle to a grand Gothic Palace. Under the guidance of Edward III, William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester oversaw the building of many new structures within the castle including an inner gatehouse with cylindrical towers and the building of royal apartments on the north side of the Quadrangle. 

Looking up at the Round Tower (photo by me).

Edward III also founded ‘The Order of the Garter’, the oldest surviving order of chivalry in the world. In addition to this he founded the College of St George, St George being the patron saint of the Garter. Edward IV, great, great grandson of Edward III began the building of the St George chapel in 1475 and it was within this chapel that he was buried. 

St George’s Chapel (photo by me).

The Tudor monarchs also left their print upon Windsor Castle. Henry VII continued the work that Edward IV had begun upon St George’s Chapel and also rebuilt Albert Memorial Chapel. Henry VII’s son Henry VIII added a large stone gate at the bottom of the Lower Ward which to this day bears his name. He also oversaw the building of a wooden oriel window within the Quire of St George’s Chapel so that his first wife and Queen Katherine of Aragon could view the church services. In 1533/34 he also had added the terrace which was made of wood along the north side of the external wall in the Upper Ward. From this terrace Henry VIII could watch men hunting in the forest or practice shooting.  By the time Henry VIII’s daughter Elizabeth I was Queen of England the terrace was in great ruin and was rebuilt with stone. 

Henry VIII’s Gate (photo by me).

Henry VIII was buried next to his third wife Jane Seymour, in a vault underneath the middle of the Quire in St George’s Chapel. In his will he had planned for a large monument to be created in his memory within St George’s Chapel but unfortunately this never eventuated and all that remains to remind us of where this great King rests is a marble slab bearing his name on the floor of the Quire. 

During the reign of Charles II the English King oversaw the refurbishment of the royal apartments. Charles II appointed Hugh May to complete the refurbishment and he hired a skilled team of painters, artists and craftsmen to modernize and bring Windsor Castle back to life. The refurbishment was finally completed in 1674 and Windsor Castle quickly became one of Charles II favourite palaces. 

George III also oversaw to the modernizing of Windsor by appointing James Wyatt to restore the eternal facades and to create a new grand staircase within the State Apartments. George IV continued his father’s work by heightening Henry II’s Round Tower, creating a gallery between the apartments on the south and east sides of the castle and building a new entrance and staircase in the State Apartments on the north side of the castle. George IV went on to spent nearly £300 000 on his gothic transformation of Windsor Castle. 

In 1848 Queen Victoria declared that the State Apartments would be opened regularly to the public. 

In 1992 a fire started in Queen Victoria’s private chapel. It is believed to have started from the heat of a spot light igniting a curtain. The fire swept through the roof spaces of Windsor Castle destroying the ceilings of St George’s Hall and the Grand Reception room. It destroyed the private chapel, State Dining Room, Crimson Drawing Room and many other smaller rooms. It took fifteen hours and two hundred fire fighters to eventually put out the fire. Thankfully many of the great works of art within the Castle had been moved previously and they were not affected by the fire. Repair and restoration work was started immediately and was finally completed on 20th November 1997. Although the repair work cost a staggering £37 million it was greatly needed to protect and restore the magnificent and ancient Windsor Castle. 

Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen is in residence at Windsor twice a year, in Easter and in June when the annual Garter Service is held at St George’s Chapel. Whenever the Queen is in residence at Windsor the Royal Standard flag is flown above the Round Tower. Other members of the Royal family use Windsor Castle throughout the year for various celebrations. 

I was fortunate enough to visit Windsor Castle on the 7th of November 2009. I do not even know how I can begin to describe the castle! It’s just… breathtaking.. and HUGE! It is SOOO much bigger than I had initially anticipated. I thought that it was just one castle with a chapel and some interesting rooms, but it is SO much more than that!

I caught the train to the castle and I have to admit that I was a little nervous. I had to catch one train from Paddington to Slough and then another from Slough to Windsor. I was nervous about the changeover but in the end I had no reason to be. I stepped off the first train walked about three feet and got onto the second train, simple as that!

You can see Windsor Castle from the train and immediately it takes your breath away! It’s just magnificent and so old! I did not realise that it was hundreds upon hundreds of years old consisting of huge old towers and gateways and long brick walkways – it really is quite spectacular. I would say that only about a third of the entire castle is open to visitors – and even just to look around the third took me three hours!

First I went to St George’s Chapel. Now if you want an old, majestic chapel then this is certainly the place to go. It’s over six hundred years old with high ceilings and the most intricately carved walls and decorations. I spent about an hour in the chapel just looking around, trying to see every small detail. It really blew me away. There is an awe about the place and you cannot help but respect and be mesmerized by the history and splendour of the chapel.

I was also quite taken by Henry VIII’s grave, at least the marble slab that marks the spot of his grave. Henry VIII was buried with his third wife Jane Seymour within a vault under the middle of the Quire. I am absolutely fascinated with Henry VIII and his tumultuous reign and am always eager to learn anything I can about this fascinating man and the life during his reign. It was really quite chilling to be standing there, only a few feet above where the body of one of the famous and interesting men in all of history lies. I honestly do not know how long I stood there, being so close to the body of Henry VIII sent shiver down my spine. 

Marble slab marking the resting place of Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. Photo from the St George's Chapel Windsor Castle handbook.

There are stained glass windows all around the Chapel and on one section there are the Tudors – Henry VIII, Edward his son, Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. I was taken aback by the beauty of the stained glass portraits, but what really blew me away was what the stained glass portrait of Anne was wearing. She was wearing a rich crimson dress with a gold quarter skirt and gold trimmings. It was the exact same dress that I wore for my Tudor photo shoot! Coincidence? I do not know but it was certainly a little freaky! I had no idea about this stained glad portrait of Anne, and yet we wore the same clothes……

There was an interesting exhibition on display in the Drawing Room of the Castle to celebrate Henry VIII’s 500th anniversary of his succession as King. They had a huge display of portraits and drawings of Henry, his son and of his wives and family. There was also a hand drawing portrait of Anne Boleyn by Hans Holbein. I just saw it and started to cry. It was very simple and yet she looked so beautiful. Especially her eyes, they were so beautiful……

It really sent chills down my spine to be able to see these portraits and miniatures that were nearly five hundred years old! It was also spectacular to see Henry when he was a young man right up to the year of his death. He was (I am quite sure) an extremely handsome man in his youth, but as he aged time was not good to him and he turned into a hideously fat haggard old man. Very sad indeed.

I had a long walk around the state rooms, which are just huge and seem to go on forever! I think I probably walked around there for about an hour looking at all the portraits and intricate decorations. I would absolutely love to live in some of those rooms! Having my tea in the Queen’s chamber, looking out across the beautiful gardens, the detailed furniture and spectacular walls and roof… now that would be lavish! There was a stunning portrait of Queen Elizabeth I that was painted when she was thirteen. It really is incredible how much she looked like her mother Anne Boleyn. She certainly had Henry’s bright hair colour, but her eyes and facial structure was all Anne…. Simply beautiful!

A view from the Lower Ward looking up towards the Round Tower (photo by me).

I really loved the castle and would defiantly go again if I had a chance. It is one of those places that I think every time you went you would find something different and beautiful to explore. I am so glad that I went and certainly it was an experience of a life time. 

If you are interested you can view the offical website for Windsor Castle here:  

The Royal Collection - Windsor Castle


 The photos which were taken by me please do not copy or redistribute without permission.


Marsden, J and Winterbottom, M 2009, Windsor Castle Official Souvenir Guide, Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd, St James's Palace, London.

The Dean and Canons of Windsor 2008, St George's Chapel Windsor Castle, Scala Publishers Ltd, London.

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Anne Boleyn A New Life of England’s Tragic Queen by Joanna Denny

Posted by Sarah

Anne Boleyn A New Life of England’s Tragic Queen
by Joanna Denny

No English queen has enjoyed such notoriety, and none has been so persistently vilified. In this powerful new biography, Joanna Denny reveals the truth about Anne Boleyn, presenting a picture of the woman – highly literate, accomplished, and a devout defender of her Protestant faith – that differs radically from the unsavoury and unflattering accounts that have come down through history. A tragedy set in motion by her allure and her attraction of England’s violent and paranoid king, Anne’s life found her trapped in the vicious politics of the Tudor court, confined to a path that would lead her to execution.
Plunging into the intrigue, romance, and danger at the heart of King Henry VIII’s court, Anne Boleyn is a compelling account of the turbulent times that would change England forever, and a passionate portrait that will ultimately alter our perception of this much-maligned queen.

I have to admit that when I first picked up this book I was a little sceptical. I have heard many things about Denny’s book on Anne Boleyn, some positive and some negative. I was not sure what to think but was determined to go into this book with an open and positive mind. I wanted to take the book for what it was and see what Denny had to say about the life of Anne Boleyn. Unfortunately when I came to the end of the book I found myself feeling quite disappointed. 

Overall when reading this book I felt as though there was a great deal of negativity towards many of the people that had been part of Anne Boleyn’s life. It is not hard to see that Denny holds little regard for Katherine of Aragon, claiming that she lied that she was a virgin. Denny believed that Katherine of Aragon did sleep with Prince Arthur and therefore the marriage was consummated. She goes on to say that Katherine of Aragon continued on with the lie of her virginity so that she could marry Henry VIII. I found that Denny repeated this idea many times throughout the book, continuously suggesting that Katherine of Aragon was a liar and also a manipulator.

It read to me as though the breakdown of Henry VIII’s relationship with his wife and Queen was all Katherine of Aragon’s fault. That it was her fault she could not give Henry any living male heirs and that certainly she was lying about having never slept with Prince Arthur. Denny also suggests that Katherine of Aragon deceived those around her and also openly humiliated Henry VIII. I find this very hard to swallow and do not for a minute think that Katherine of Aragon lied about being a virgin when she remarried. Katherine of Aragon was an extraordinarily devout Catholic and lying was a sin. To lie over and over again would certainly be damaging to one’s salvation. Denny gives Katherine of Aragon so little credit for her dedication to her faith and paints a very dark picture of a woman who was certainly a devoted and loving wife. 

Denny also alludes to the fact that there was no love at all between Henry VII and his wife Elizabeth of York, and that in fact Henry VII despised his wife and her Yorkist heritage. In fact history tells us that husband and wife had strong feelings for one another and that they consoled each other deeply upon the death of their oldest son Arthur. Certainly if Henry VII hated his wife he would not want to console her and hold her as she wept over the death of their son.

Denny also shows a strong dislike for Mary Tudor, even referring to her as a spoiled brat. How she can make this statement I am unsure. She also speaks very negative words of Mary Tudor’s second husband Charles Brandon. At one point she accuses Brandon of abducting a woman named Anne Brown and having two daughters with her. History tells us that Charles Brandon was a bit of a womanizer and did have a marriage annulled, but abduction and possible rape? Where Denny got any of this information from I am unsure. Certainly Brandon did defy the King and marry Henry VIII’s sister, but he and Mary were forgiven, although made to pay a heavy fine. Charles was eventually restored to favour and was one of Henry VIII’s most treasured and beloved friends. Upon Charles Brandon’s death Henry is reported to have said that “after the king heard the stunning news, he told his courtiers that Brandon has been the best of friends, generous and loyal as well as truly magnanimous towards his political enemies. Glaring, he pointed out that few of his Council could boast the same about themselves” (Hutchinson 2005, p. 119). Certainly Charles must have had something about him to be seen in death as a good and loyal friend a clear contrast to the picture that Denny painted of Charles Brandon. 

I was also quite disgusted at the way Denny wrote about Mary Boleyn. Personally I am quite fascinated by Mary Boleyn and have read and researched extensively about her life. Denny suggests that Mary was the mistress of King Francis I during her time in France and then goes on to say that she was passed on from one man to another and that she was sexually notorious. This I find to be absolute rubbish! It is certainly possible that Mary was the mistress of Francis I, for what length of time we certainly do know. But there is no proof at all to suggest that Mary was passed from one man to another, nor that she was sexually notorious! There is not a single piece of evidence to provide this, in fact the only evidence that we have that Mary had any sexual relationship while in France was a letter written by a Bishop twenty one years after Mary Boleyn was in France!

Denny also goes on to suggest that Henry VIII had taken Mary Boleyn for his mistress before Mary married William Carey. Once again there is no evidence to suggest this at all. In fact evidence would suggest that Mary married her husband in 1520 and then became Henry VIII’s mistress sometime during 1522. The suggestion that Henry VIII married Mary off to cover the affair is ridiculous!  I find Denny’s blatant statements clearly shows the little research she has done on the life of Mary Boleyn and certainly for me that cast a doubt on how much research was done for the rest of this book. 

I was also confused by Denny’s statement that Anne Boleyn had a stepmother. Anne did not have a step mother, in fact her mother, Elizabeth Howard, outlived Anne and died in 1538. I am confused as to where Denny got the idea that Anne’s mother died and that her father Thomas Boleyn remarried. 

Overall I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. It appeared as though Denny was trying to paint Anne Boleyn as a saint and that everything that went wrong during her life was everyone else’s fault bar Anne’s. Certainly Anne was no saint; she was just as flawed as every other human being. She had a temper, she was prone to rages and bouts of jealousy, in short she was human. Although Denny provided a lot of quite detailed information about Anne and her life I felt it was overshadowed by the negative attitude towards people such as Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII. I have to say that I would only recommend this book to someone who already has a strong knowledge about Henry VIII’s first marriage and all the players involved with the King’s ‘Great Matter’. 



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