Picture of the Week #834

Engraved portrait of Elizabeth I from “Pacata Hibernia”. Photo April 2016.

Since today is the 466th anniversary of the death of Mary I and therefore also the anniversary of Elizabeth I becoming Queen, I thought I would dig out another image from the Shakespeare in Print and Performance exhibit at the Harry Ransom Center at my university. One of these days I’ll finish editing all of my images from the exhibit and do a full write-up of it (only 8+ years too late…)

Picture of the Week #829

West end of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Photo May 2015.

I did a little bit of digging to see what I could find out about the onion domes on the west end of St. George’s, but I couldn’t really find much. If anyone knows of a source, send it my way!

Picture of the Week #826

Blacksmith demonstration at Mary Arden’s Farm, Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo May 2015.

This demo reminded me of going to the various renaissance festivals we have here in Texas. I haven’t been to any of them in a while, but this is making me nostalgic for them!

Picture of the Week #824

Passport for Dr. Valentine Dale, signed by Elizabeth I on December 27, 1563. Photo April 2016.

I wanted something Elizabeth-related today since yesterday was her 491st birthday. (Note to self: prepare to go to England again in 9 years for all of the 500th birthday special exhibits that are bound to be coming…)

This was on display at the exhibit for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death at the Harry Ransom Center on my university’s campus. From the exhibit’s info card on the letter:

“The passport provided Dr. Valentine Dale (d. 1589) safe passage to the Low Countries where he attempted to convince Margaret, duchess of Parma, to lift an embargo on English cloth. Elizabeth’s seal on the letter communicated her authority to the recipient, but also kept the contents from being read in the pre-envelope sixthteenth century.”