Tudor Q and A

Question from France - Cities and towns

2008-05-11T14:20:00.001-05:00

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

2008-05-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

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"

2008-05-07T19:49:00.000-05:00

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"

2008-05-07T19:33:00.000-05:00

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

2008-05-06T20:18:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-05-06T20:02:00.000-05:00

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

2008-05-06T19:46:00.000-05:00

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

2008-05-05T20:43:00.001-05:00

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

2008-05-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

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

Questions from Brittany - misc.

2008-05-03T19:11:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-30T12:36:00.000-05:00

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

2008-04-28T15:30:00.000-05:00

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

2008-04-28T14:15:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-04-26T13:51:00.000-05:00

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

Question from Sarah - Book recommendations for entertainment, food, etc.

2008-04-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

Could anyone recommend to me a book that covers entertainments, food, clothing etc during the reign of Henry VIII? I am a university student and so want something more than the basics.

Thanks

Sarah

Question from Rae - "The Tudors" second season on iTunes

2008-04-21T17:15:00.002-05:00

Hello! I'm living in Australia right now, and we have only just finished the 1st season. I've already seen the first season and have been waiting patiently since it ended in the States. Does anyone know when the second season will be up on iTunes? If at all?

[ed note - I haven't heard anything about when or if the second season will go up... although I'm sure it will at some point... but I thought I would throw it out there in case anyone had any info]

Question from Lilly - Elizabeth of York

2008-04-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

I've got a question regarding Henry VIII's mother, Elizabeth of York. Does anyone know much about her? I know a little bit, but there's a lot in her past that I don't know. For example,

1. How old was she when she was married to Henry VII?
2. How old was Henry VIII when she died?
3. What did her seventh child die of? It was the birth of Katherine, Elizabeth and Henry's seventh child, that proved to be too strenuous on both mother and daughter. Katherine died within hours of her birth and Elizabeth died within a few days. Does anyone know specifics about this incident?

Thanks!

Question from Patricia - Wives' badges

2008-04-18T14:40:00.001-05:00

Hello,

I am curently reading about the six wives of Henry VIII, and am curious to know each wives seperate badge. I known there was the pomegranate, the falcon, and the phoenix for the first three wives but what of the latter?

Question from KB - Online map of 16th century England

2008-04-18T14:26:00.000-05:00

Does anyone know of a reasonable map of 16th century England available online?

Question from Taya - Jane Seymour and Henry before their marriage

2008-04-18T14:05:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys! I'm 16 and just getting into all this Tudor mania! =)

I was watching a documentary and came up with this question: Did Jane Seymour "hold out" from sex with Henry before her marriage like Anne Boleyn or did she become Henry's mistress during his marriage to Anne?

Thanks!

Question from Beth - Women's underwear and menstruation

2008-04-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

Is it true that women in Tudor times didn't wear any underwear? If so, how did they keep their rags (well, I'm assuming they used rags because tampons/pads weren't invented yet) in place when they menstruated?

Question from Lynne - Palaces when the court wasn't there

2008-04-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

What happened to royal residences like Hampton Court when a monarch was not there?--were there people who lived there full time (perhaps to take care of it?), or was it generally left empty until the next royal visit? Sorry if this has already been addressed.

Question from Jessica - Crime and Punishment

2008-04-18T09:29:00.000-05:00

I would like to know what were the most common crimes and punishments during 1558 and 1688?

Also who decided the punishments for crimes and who enforced them?

Okay... we MAY be back in business here

2008-04-17T21:06:00.004-05:00

Well, I just tried something (I'll spare you the technical details) with the publishing that appears to have worked. So, let's see if this post shows up a little quicker than the last two. :)

I'm probably going to still move the blog over to WordPress on my own site, if this fix actually works, but it won't be as urgent - so I'll probably hold off for a little while. There are a couple of things I'd like to iron out on the news blog before I switch this one over.

I still have quite a few questions from the last week that need to go up, but I'm really tired so I'm going to save those for tomorrow. For now, a hot shower and sleep are calling me!

Still having problems

2008-04-15T16:21:00.007-05:00

Well, there still seem to be some posting issues. After nearly 24 hours of trying, I finally got one more post to go up (the question below). So now I'm going to start trying to post this one and see what happens.