Question from France - Cities and towns

First things first, very nice webiste. It has helped me with my researh project. I still have a question though, and i don't think it was covered on your site. I wanted to know, how was the cities like in tudor times (16th century,in England)? Like the attractions like castles, churches, architecture? I can't find any information on this so hopefully you'll have an answer. Links are always good too. Thank you very much in advance.

I am in 9th grade, i have an essay to write on the cities and towns in England during shakespeare's time.

Questions from Sandra - Elizabeth I's illnesses when Princess

When Mary I ended the Wyatt rebellion, she sent her physicians and courtiers in February to bring Elizabeth I to court, to see if there was any proof of her involvment, but I read that Elizabeth I was very ill, she has been bedridden for some time with a serious kidney disease, her face and arms were very swollen.

1.What type of illness did she have?

Her illness was to occur again during her stay at Woodstock.

2.Did she also suffer from migraines? And...
What type of treatment did they have for pain?

Thank you for any help.

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!]