The Tudor Society

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  • May 13 – A queen’s household is broken up

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    The National Portrait Gallery portrait of Anne Boleyn

    On this day in Tudor history, 13th May 1536, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn’s royal household was broken up and her staff discharged.

    The king’s second wife, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London at the time, hadn’t even been tried yet. However, Sir Francis Weston, William Brereton, Sir Henry Norris and Mark Smeaton had been found guilty of high treason, for sleeping with her and conspiring to kill the king with her, so she had no chance of being found innocent.

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  • May 12 – Baron Hussey, is charged with treason

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor England, 12th May 1537, John Hussey, 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford, Chief Butler of England, was charged with treason.

    Hussey, who was born 1465/6 had been appointed Chief Butler of England in 1521 and also served as a Member of Parliament, sheriff of Lincolnshire and steward to the Bishop of Lincoln. He served Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary, as her chamberlain and his second wife, Anne, was one of Mary’s ladies. Anne actually ended up in the Tower of London for a short time after referring to Mary as “Princess” rather than “Lady” after Mary had become illegitimate by Act of Parliament.

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  • May 8 – English troops muster

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger

    On this day in Tudor history, 8th May 1539, in the reign of King Henry VIII, English troops mustered between Whitechapel and Mile End and then marched through the City and Westminster to St James’s, where the king reviewed them.

    This muster was in response to the war panic caused by Francis I and Charles V signing the Peace of Toledo.

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  • May 2 – Queen Anne Boleyn is arrested

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 2nd May 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, received a message informing her that members of the king’s council required her presence in the council chamber of Greenwich Palace. There, Anne was told that she was being accused of having sexual relations with musician Mark Smeaton, groom of the stool Henry Norris and an unnamed man. She was also told that Smeaton and Norris had confessed.

    Anne denied the charges but the council ordered her arrest. Later that afternoon, after the tide had turned, she was rowed to the Tower of London. She was imprisoned in the queen’s apartments of the royal palace.

    George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, Anne’s brother, was arrested on the same day and also taken to the Tower.

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  • 26 April – Catherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn, marries Francis Knollys

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of Catherine Carey by Steven van der Meulen, 1562, and a portrait of her husband, Francis Knollys.

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th April 1540, in the reign of King Henry VIII, sixteen year-old Catherine Carey married Francis Knollys.

    Catherine was the daughter of William Carey and Mary Boleyn, and the niece of Queen Anne Boleyn. Although some believe that she was Henry VIII’s daughter, there is no evidence for this.

    Catherine served as a maid of honour to Anne of Cleves, and went into exile with her family in Mary I’s reign.

    Catherine was appointed to her cousin Elizabeth I’s bedchamber in 1559. She served there until her death in 1569.

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  • April 20 – The Oath of the Act of Succession

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger

    On this day in Tudor history, 20th April 1534, in the reign of King Henry VIII, prominent citizens of London were required to swear the Oath of the Act of Succession.

    Chronicler Charles Wriothesley explained that all the guilds were called to their halls to swear:

    To be true to Queen Anne (Anne Boleyn) and to recognise her as Henry VIII’s lawful wife and the rightful Queen of England.
    To think of the king’s eldest daughter Mary as illegitimate.

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  • April 16 – The Mary Rose’s first tour of duty

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    The Mary Rose as depicted in the Anthony Roll.

    On this day in Tudor history, 16th April 1512, Henry VIII’s warship, The Mary Rose, began her first tour of duty in the English Channel on the hunt for French warships.

    Here are some facts about The Mary Rose:

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  • April 12 – Anne Boleyn causes quite a stir

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    The Hever Rose Portrait of Anne Boleyn

    On this day in Tudor history, 12th April 1533, Anne Boleyn caused quite a stir by attending mass wearing cloth of gold and the richest jewels, and attended by sixty ladies.

    Why the stir?

    Well, because her marriage to Henry VIII was still a secret. The royal council had only just been informed.

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  • Monday Martyr – William Peterson and William Richardson, Catholic martyrs

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Map of the Pale of Calais in the 15th century

    On 10th April 1540, priest Sir William Peterson, former commissary of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Calais, and William Richardson, priest of St Mary’s in Calais, were hanged, drawn and quartered in the marketplace at Calais for denying Henry VIII’s supremacy.

    In his article “Martyrdoms at Calais in 1540?”, Rev. L.E. Whatmore writes of how from 1525, Sir William Peterson was “the most important priest in Calais” because of his “double capacity” as “the Archbishop’s and the Cardinal’s representative” in Calais. 1532 saw the death of William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was replaced by Thomas Cranmer. Peterson continued in his office under Cranmer and in September of that year was also appointed rector of Bonynges in the Calais Marches.

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  • March 16 – John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners, by an unknown Netherlandish artist

    On this day in Tudor history, 16th March 1533, in the reign of King Henry VIII, soldier, translator and diplomat, John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners, died at Calais, while serving as Deputy of Calais.

    Berners was succeeded as deputy by the king’s uncle, Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle.

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  • March 10 – William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portrait of William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, holding the white staff of the office of Lord High Treasurer, NPG.

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th March 1572, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, nobleman and administrator William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, died at his home Basing House in Hampshire. He was said to be 97 years of age at his death. He was laid to rest in the parish church at Basing on 28th April.

    Paulet’s offices under Henry VIII included Lord Treasurer, Great Master of the Household and Lord Great Chamberlain, and he also served the king’s children, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, in their reigns.

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  • March 9 – The death of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, on the evening of 9th March 1578, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, sixty-two-year-old Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, died.

    Margaret had been recorded as suffering from a colic but the fact that she had dined with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, two days before, led to rumours that she had been poisoned. However, there was no evidence to support the rumour. Margaret was buried at Westminster Abbey on 3rd April 1578.

    Margaret Douglas was the daughter of Margaret Tudor, dowager queen of Scotland, by her second husband, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, making her the granddaughter of King Henry VII and the niece of King Henry VIII. Margaret was also the mother-in-law of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose second husband was Margaret’s son, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and the grandmother of James VI of Scotland/James I of England, and the ill-fated Lady Arbella or Arabella Stuart.

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  • March 8 – Richard Tracy, an outspoken reformer

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 8 March 1569, evangelical reformer and Member of Parliament Richard Tracy died at his manor in Stanway, Gloucestershire.

    Tracy was the cousin of Protestant martyr James Bainham and his works included the 1543 pamphlet on justification by faith: “Profe and Declaration of thys Proposition: Fayth only iustifieth”, which was dedicated to Henry VIII; the 1544 “‘A Supplycation to our most Soueraigne Lorde, Kynge Henry the Eyght” and “A Bryef and short Declaracyon made wherebye euery Chrysten Man may knowe what is a Sacrament”. In Elizabeth I’s reign, he served as a Commissioner of the Peace and Sheriff in Gloucestershire.

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  • March 7 – Germaine Gardiner and John Larke are executed

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 7th March 1544, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Germaine (or German) Gardiner and priest John Larke were executed for denying the royal supremacy.

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  • March 6 – Lord Chancellor Thomas Wriothesley is accused of abusing his authority

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Miniature of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, by Hans Holbein the Younger

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th March 1547, in the reign of King Edward VI, former Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, lost the Great Seal of his Lord Chancellorship and was confined to his home at Ely Place for abusing his authority.

    Wriothesley was found guilty of issuing a commission without the knowledge or permission of the other executors of Henry VIII’s will, but it was probably more to do with his opposition to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, becoming Lord Protector.

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  • March 3 – Margaret Tudor marries for a third time

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of Margaret Tudor by Daniel Mytens

    On this day in Tudor history, 3rd March 1528, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and widow of King James IV of Scotland, married for a third time.

    Thirty-eight-year-old Margaret’s third husband was Henry Stewart, who was about 33. Stewart was the son of Andrew Stewart, 1st Lord Avondale, and he’d served Margaret’s son, James V, as master carver and master of the artillery. It is thought that he and Margaret got to know each other in 1524.

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  • March 1 – Sir Thomas Tresham, Grand Prior

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Photo of Rushton Hall and the coat of arms of the Knights Hospitaller - a white cross on a red background

    On this day in Tudor history, 1st March 1559, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Catholic politician and landowner, Sir Thomas Tresham, died at Rushton in Northamptonshire. He was buried at St Peter’s Church, Rushton.

    Tresham was a leading politician in the reigns of Henry VIII and Mary I, and he’s an interesting Tudor chap.

    Let me tell you a bit more about him…

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  • February 23 – Elizabeth of York’s funeral

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of Elizabeth of York with a photo of the front of Westminster Abbey, her resting place

    On this day in Tudor history, 23rd February 1503, Elizabeth of York, Queen Consort of Henry VII and mother of Henry VIII, was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey.

    Elizabeth had died on her 37th birthday, on 11th February, at the Tower of London, nine days after giving birth to a daughter, Katherine, who also died.

    In “The Last Medieval Queens: English Queenship 1445-1503”, J L Laynesmith writes of how at least £3,000 was spent on Elizabeth’s funeral, compared to the £600 spent on that of Arthur, Prince of Wales, the previous year, and that “the whole process was rich with references to the queen’s coronation”.

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  • February 8 – Sir John Arundell of Lanherne

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 8th February 1545, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Sir John Arundell of Lanherne, died at the home of his nephew, Richard Roscarrock of Roscarrock, in St Endellion, Cornwall.

    Let me give you a few facts about this Tudor man, who was actually the third John Arundell out of 9 prominent John Arundells in the same family…

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  • February 3 – Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On 3rd February 1478, in the reign of King Edward IV, Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was born at Brecon Castle.

    His father, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, was executed as a traitor in Richard III’s reign and Edward came to the same end in 1521, in King Henry VIII’s reign.

    Let me tell you a bit more about this Duke of Buckingham…

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  • January 30 – Sir William More of Loseley

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 30th January 1520, in the reign of King Henry VIII, member of Parliament, Protestant, landowner and administrator, Sir William More, was born. More’s offices under Elizabeth I included Chamberlain of the Exchequer,

    More was the only surviving son of Sir Christopher More of Loseley, a powerful administrator in Henry VII’s reign, and his wife, Margaret Mudge.

    The Protestant More came to the forefront in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, serving her as Constable of Farnham Castle, Treasurer of the Lottery, Commissioner for Ecclesiastical Causes, Collector of the Loan, Master of Swans and Deputy Custos Rotulorum, as well as Chamberlain of the Exchequer. He was also a commissioner on various commissions of oyer and terminer during her reign.

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  • January 26 – Sir Francis Poyntz

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Poyntz arms - Barry of eight or and gules

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th January 1528, in the reign of King Henry VIII, courtier and diplomat Sir Francis Poyntz died in London. He died of the plague.

    Poyntz, who was about 31 at his death, was the third son of courtier, Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton in Gloucestershire, and his wife, Margaret, an illegitimate daughter of Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers. Francis was made an Esquire of the Body to Henry VIII in 1516, and then a Carver in 1521.

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  • January 21 – The death of Eustace Chapuys, imperial ambassador

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 21st January 1556, imperial ambassador Eustace Chapuys died in Louvain, the place he had retired to in 1549. He was laid to rest in the chapel of Louvain College, the college he had founded.

    Chapuys is one of my favourite sources for the reign of Henry VIII because his dispatches to the emperor and his fellow ambassadors are so detailed.

    But who was Eustace Chapuys? Let me tell you a bit more about him…

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  • January 16 – Sir Anthony Denny

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 16th January 1501, in the reign of King Henry VII, Sir Anthony Denny was born at Cheshunt in Hertfordshire. He was the second son of Sir Edmund Denny, Baron of the Exchequer to Henry VIII, and his wife, Mary Troutbeck.

    The courtier and good friend of Henry VIII was educated at St Paul’s School, London, before moving on to St John’s College, Cambridge.

    Following employment in the service of Sir Francis Bryan, a man known as the Vicar of Hell, Denny joined King Henry VIII’s privy chamber in 1533 and was made a yeoman of the wardrobe in 1536.

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  • January 14 – Charles Brandon is sent to fetch Mary Tudor, Queen of France, home to England

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On 14th January 1515, in King Henry VIII’s reign, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was sent to France to bring back the king’s sister, Mary Tudor, Queen of France.

    Eighteen-year-old Mary had married fifty-two-year-old King Louis XII on 9th October 1514, but the marriage had been short-lived as Louis died on 1st January 1515.

    Before marrying Louis, Mary had made her brother promise that if the French king died she could marry a man of her choosing. That man ended up being Suffolk, Henry VIII’s best friend, and the very man sent to fetch her.

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  • January 12 – William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, Lord Admiral

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Painting of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, English School

    On 12th January 1573, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, died at Hampton Court Palace.

    The diplomat, soldier and naval commander was buried at Reigate Church.

    Howard had served four Tudor monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, and had been Lord Admiral and Lord Chamberlain of the Household. At one point, he was convicted of misprision of treason, but was fortunately pardoned.

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  • January 6 – Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portrait of an unknown woman thought to be Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria.

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th January 1538, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria, was born at Eythrope in Buckinghamshire.

    Jane was a favourite of Queen Mary I, and was the one Mary trusted on her deathbed to deliver her jewels to her successor and half-sister, Elizabeth I. She married Gómez Suarez de Figueroa, Count of Feria, later Duke of Feria, in December 1558.

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  • January 3 – John Clerk, Bishop of Bath and Wells

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Arms of the Bishop of Bath and Wells

    On this day in Tudor history, 3rd January 1541, in the reign of King Henry VIII, John Clerk, Bishop of Bath and Wells, died.

    Before becoming Bishop of Bath and Wells, Clerk had served as a chaplain to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and had been Archdeacon of Colchester, Dean of Windsor and Master of the Rolls.

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  • December 28 – Sir Nicholas Bacon

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 28th December 1510, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Sir Nicholas Bacon, was born.

    Bacon was a lawyer, administrator and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and also the father of the famous philosopher, statesman, scientist and author, Sir Francis Bacon

    Bacon was also very concerned with the education of the young, and did much to support it.

    Find out all about Sir Nicholas Bacon, his life and career, and how he was banished from court at one point…

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  • December 26 – Rose Lok

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 26th December 1526, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Rose Lok was born.

    Rose was a fascinating lady. She was the daughter of mercer William Lok, who not only supplied the royal family with fabric but who also supplied Anne Boleyn with religious books. Rose was also a Protestant exile and a businesswoman in her own right. She even had a ship named after her! She lived into her 80s.

    Find out all about Rose Lok…

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