In 1561, Elizabeth I received a rather unusual New Year's gift. It wasn't the normal gilt plate, it wasn't even jewellery or a piece of clothing, it was a girl...
If you want to know more about New Year's gifts, you may enjoy these resources:
- My video talk on the Ceremony of the New Year's Gifts at the Tudor Court - click here.
- A podcast in which Dr Johanna Strong interviews Dr James Taffe, author of "Christmas with the Tudors" - click here.