Question from Leia - Dwarf at Elizabeth's court in "The Golden Age"

I recently watched Queen Elizabeth; the Golden Age and noticed a dwarf as one of her ladies in waiting. I was wondering who this represented. I think it might be Lady Mary Grey (the beheaded Jane Grey's little sister) who was about 4 feet tall and considered a dwarf. However, there is no information that I have found that says she was a lady in waiting to Elizabeth, in fact she was at court but married without permission. Does anyone know if that is who the dwarf is supposed to be in the movie?

Questions from Colleen - Court life in Mary's reign and "The Strand"

I have a few random questions. First of all, does anyone know anything about what court life was like under Mary I, particularly in the last months of her reign? I know she was a sick, unhappy woman - does the atmosphere (for lack of a better word) in her court reflect this? Also, completely unrelated, but I am a little confused about the street that's referred to as "the Strand". Did it run alongside the Thames? Did the houses face the river or have their backs turned to it? I've read things about some houses having gates that opened directly onto the river, and some had gardens that extended down to the riverbank. I'm just trying to get a clearer picture. Thanks!

Question from Rebekah - Lawns and gardens in Tudor times

After looking at many photos of estates in Great Britain where the Tudors lived, I was just wondering about the gardens that are seen now. Did they mow the lawns in the 1600s? It seems a huge job now. I can't imagine how they kept them up without current technology.

Question from Chantal - Elizabeth's legitimacy, etc.

I am a sophmore in highschool, and I am writing a research paper on the rivarly for the throne of England between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
My questions are: Was the annulment of the marriage between Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon legitimate?
Was Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn legitimate?
Was Elizabeth's claim to the throne legitimate?

Question from Jenny - To what extent was England a Protestant nation in 1603

Hi! I have got an assignment on who the 'most memorable' monarch of the period 1558-1667 was, and so I have chosen Elizabeth I. I am in Year 13 (final year at school) and I am 17. One of my focussing questions is:To what extent was England a Protestant nation by 1603? (I have decided on this question because she changed the religion and I wanted to see what the result of this question is because then I can truly see how much the people of England obeyed her laws etc.)
Of course, I do have a lot of information on my other two questions but this question I am finding harder to answer. If you could help me that would be fantastic.
Thank you.

Question from Tabitha - Follow-up and Erasmus on children's proper behavior

Thank you all for your help. About my question...Wherever I read about Anne Boleyn having a stomach problem, It didn't say anything else. Just thought it was interesting.

Does anyone know about Erasmus writings about "children's proper behavior"?

In the book "Behind the Mask" by "Jane Resh Thomas", it stated that Erasmus wrote that children must walk with serious destination, neither rushing nor stolling without a purpose. They must never lean against walls, jitter or fidget fingers and toes. Children must avoid frowning, wrinking their noses, yawning,and sniffling. And baby talk was not permitted.

Also Elizabeth's tutor Roger Ascham had much different ideas. I would like to find any information on Erasmus and Roger Ascham on these subjects.

Tabitha

Question from Liz - Catalina as Katherine of Aragon's real name

Was Katherine of Aragon's real name Catalina? Did anyone call her this?

Questions from Brittany - misc.

Thanks, you guys, for all the help and advice about finding info on Thomas Culpeper! Maybe you can help with these three rather unrelated questions that were bothering me recently.

1. Did Tudor clothes (men or women) have pockets? I read somewhere that men used codpieces as pockets. (Ew.)

2. Does anyone know if Kathy Lynn Emerson’s “The Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life in Renaissance England” is a reliable source to draw from when writing historical fiction? It’s a really fun book, but I’m wondering how much of it is just interesting nonsense.

3. I feel like I read somewhere that only commoners were drawn and quartered when sentenced to be executed. Were nobles always simply beheaded? And I’m pretty sure they generally used an axe, right? It was a privilege to be beheaded with a sword, as Anne Boleyn was.

[On a side note, Lara, this is an awesome website—I’m so glad I found this place! I love it!]

[ed note: Brittany - thanks!]

Questions from Tabitha - Follow up misc. questions

Thank you for your help esp. with the literary works that I can read upon. I have a couple of other questions, I hope someone can help with these.

1.During the reign of Elizabeth I she had attainders reversed for 2 of the decendents that were excuted with Anne Boleyn, who were they?

2.I read that Anne Boleyn had some type stomach problem, what was it?

3.Does anyone know of books written about babies and general childcare in the 16th century.

Question from Brittany - Information on Thomas Culpepper

I'm currently writing a short story about Thomas Culpeper, but I can find very little details on him. I've already looked at tudorhistory, wikipedia, and englishhistory.net, but everyone mostly talks about his involvement with Katheryn Howard and little else. They pass briefly over the incident where he apparently raped a girl, and don't give many details. No one seems to mention when he was born either; I saw someone somewhere speculate 1500, but that would mean he was 40 when he had an affair with Katheryn and I always assumed he'd be pretty young (a good deal younger thn Henry at least!). Katheryn's mother Joceta (or Joyce?) was a Culpeper, so he was related to her I suppose, but I also heard he was related to the Howard family. So if anyone knows details about this, they'd be much appreciated.

And if anyone knows extra tidbits about the history of Francis Dereham, or even Henry Mannox, I'd love to hear it!

Thank you.

Question from DSnow - Anne's desire to breast feed Elizabeth

I have a question about Henry's response to Anne when she wanted to nurse Elizabeth. He said that she could not nurse the baby especially since she was a girl.

Was this statement referring to the lower status of females or could his intent be to speed her return to a fertile state (since breast feeding delays this) and he wanted to get busy with the quest for a male child?

Just wondered about others thoughts on the matter.

Questions from Tabitha - Misc.

I am a HUGE fan of tudor times, I am so glad I found this site I like to learn alittle more everday. I would appreciate any help with these questions.

1. I seen on a previous question that the maid of honors and lady in waitings sometimes didn't get paid, but if they did what would have been an amount earned for their work?

If possible, please convert english money into US dollars and also how much would that be in todays money.

2. In tudor times things were so proper in many ways, why was it necessary for so many people to watch the consummation of a marriage, and who had the right to watch?

3. Does anyone know how much money england had when Henry VIII died? And how much when ElizabethI died? I think I seen it in a book once that Henry inherited millions upon his succession in 1509, I thought it would be interesting to see the difference between 1509 to 1547.

I know I have 3 questions, I hope thats ok.

thanks,
tabitha