The Flower Portrait of William Shakespeare (owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company) has been found to have been painted in the early 19th century and not the “1609″ date inscribed on it. Through paint analysis, microphotography, ultraviolet imaging and x-rays, the portrait has been determined to have come from between 1814 and 1840.

The cover article in the latest issue of the BBC History Magazine is all about the illness of Henry VIII. The author details his theory that it was Cushing’s Syndrome which changed Henry from an athletic and vigorous man into the overweight and diseased man of his later years.

I noticed this when I was scanning through the news headlines this morning. I’m glad to know that I wasn’t alone in thinking of the interesting ties of the Pope’s funeral and the wedding of the heir to the British throne to Henry VIII!

Although this story was printed on April 1st, at least the BBC is saying that it wasn’t an April Fools prank.
The petition to have Anne declared innocent of the crimes that resulted in her execution comes from an 85-year-old survivor of the Battle of Britain who has been a life-long amateur historian. He is also requesting her reburial in Westminster Abbey, alongside her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I.

I received an email from the author of the piece linked above. They’ve kindly added a link to my site on the side bar as well.