Question from Elizabeth - More possible illegitimate children of Henry VIII

I read on wikipedia that there were several women rumored to have given birth to Henry VIII's illegitimate children. It lists them as Jane Stucley (who gave birth to Thomas Stucley), Mary Berkeley (who gave birth to John Perrot) and Joan Dyngley (mother of Ethelreda Malte). Does anyone have any more information on these women and their children? Does anyone think these could really be his?

Question from Nicole - Jewelry boxes

What did Tudor women keep their jewelry in? Did they have jewelry boxes like we do now?

Question from Liz - Looking for posters

I am interested in finding a replica or poster print of the painting of Princess Elizabeth in the red dress. The painting attributed to William Scrots. I also like the painting of her with her family that Lara has on this page. Please let me know where I can find a poster like print. I've checked www.beyondthewall.com with no luck.

Thanks for your help!

Question from Tabitha - Henry VII's illegitimate son

read somewhere ??? that Henry VII had an illegitimate son, and that he brought the young man along with him when he became king. He was treated like a son but did not acknowledge him legally.

Is there anything that can validate this?

Question from Tabitha - Regret of Thomas More's execution

Thanks to all for your help, sorry I have asked alot of questions, I am just really getting into this time period, and it is so FASCINATING!!!

Did Henry VIII ever have regrets in executing Sir Thomas More? I know he was very fond of him.

Tabitha

Question from Tabitha - Book recommendations

I have been collecting books on the whole Tudor time period, I would like to find some on Henry VIII ancestors, Mary Boleyn Carey & her children and her relationship with her sister Anne. I would like to find books that are true to the events not fiction.

Can someone please recommend some that will be a great add to my collection?


Thanks,
Tabitha

Question from Kate - Elizabeth's references to her mother

I have been trying to find the information on Elizabeth's references to her mother. I know that there are supposed to be 2 occaisions when she metioned her but I don't know what it is she actually said. Anyone have any info on this?

Question from Nicole - Anne Boleyn's other jewelry

What other jewelry did Anne Boleyn have besides her "B" necklace? I know she also had an "A" and an "AB" necklace but is any other jewelry known? I was also hoping for pictures if anyone knows of any.

Request for question submitters

Howdy folks!

I think in the future it might be best for people to submit multiple forms for separate unrelated questions so each question will get its own post. I think that will make it easier for the commenters and for people reading the comments after the fact. I can also split them up when I post them, but if you submit them separately it helps me stay organized. :)

Thanks,
Lara

Questions from Tabitha - Henry's leg ulcer and the Duke of Buckingham's rebellion

In the book "The Autobiography of Henry VIII"
(With notes by his Fool, Will Somers)
by: Margaret George

Which I must say is a GREAT book!!! I read that Henry often drank a dark green syrup as a relief of pain for his headaches and during the times with his ulcered leg.

1.What is the syrup? And what was the cause for his leg ulcer, was it from syphillis?

2.Did the Duke of Buckingham really start a rebellion against Henry and did he give him a clock for Christmas and Henry return it while the Duke was in prison? The movie series "The Tudors" showed this in one of their scenes, I know the show does not always hold historical value in its scenes.

thanks,
Tabitha

Question from Elizabeth - Mary "Rose" Tudor and her niece Princess Mary

Ok, so here is something that i don't understand. Mary I was named after the King's sister. I persume that since aunt and neice lived in the same country, they would of had some sort of relationship. Considering that contempories report that Mary (the younger) had was an affectionate child, one can guess that it would have been an amiable one.

So, my question is, when Anne came into power, why did Aunt Mary do nothing to help her namesake? Why let your own neice be treated cruelly?

Question from Caila - Humphrey Lisle

was Humphrey Lisle really an 12 year old criminal in the tudor times?

Question from Carol - Family connection between Kathryn Howard and Elizabeth II

Is there a family connection between Kathryn Howard and Elizabeth II?

Question from Daniel - Surviving Tudor clothes, furniture, etc.

Does anyone know where the actual clothing,Jewelry,And Furniture is that belonged to Tudor kings and queens like Anne Boleyn and henry V111 etc.. I would like to know if there on display anywhere!

Question from Elizabeth - Did Anne B. and Kathryn H. ever meet

I know Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn were first cousins, and lived in different places (Catherine at the Duchess' and Anne at court) but is there any evidence that they met/knew each other?

Question from Katherine - Items given to Mary after Catherine's death on "The Tudors"

I recently watched "The Tudors" and noted that after Queen Catherine's death, her daughter Mary was sent some of her items in a small wooden box. One item was letter and another appeared to be a rosary. Does anyone know how accurate this was? Are any of these items still in existence?

Question from Missy - Tudor-era toys

I was wondering what kind of toys kids during the Tudor era would have played with. Did the royal children have any special toys?

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!]