Tudor Times

I found a really neat site today where someone has created a miniature version of a Tudor bakery. The creator has done a lot of research on Tudor cookery and writes a bit about it and her creation. There are also several pictures of the bakery. 

Here’s the link.

On July 28th 1540, two events happened.

1) Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex was beheaded for treason. After the disaster of the Cleves marriage, Cromwell quickly fell from the King’s graces. He was arrested at a Council meeting on June 10th and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was kept alive by Henry VIII until Cromwell annulled the King’s marriage to Anne of Cleves. On July 28th, Cromwell was executed at the Tower. After his execution, his head was boiled and set upon a spike on London Bridge, as was customary of traitors. However, it seems Henry VIII lamented his quick decision to execute Cromwell. He later accused his ministers of bringing about Cromwell’s downfall under false charges. He said “I now realise that [Cromwell] was the most faithful servant I have ever had.”

Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex

2) Also on July 28, 1540 Henry VIII, whilst his chief minister lost his head, married his fifth wife, Katheryn Howard. Katheryn was a young lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves during her brief reign as queen. Katheryn quickly caught the King’s eye and soon the King was courting her as he had her cousin, Anne Boleyn, some years before. Katheryn’s relatives, (her uncle the Duke of Norfolk and her grandmother the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk) pushed her to the King. As soon as his marriage to Anne of Cleves was annulled, the King married Katheryn, probably about 17 or 18 years old (about 31 years his junior!).

Katheryn Howard, fifth wife of King Henry VIII

On July 24, 1567 Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, was forced to abdicate her throne in favor of her one year old son, James VI. The reason for her abdication stretches further back. In April, Mary had been abducted by James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. The two were married on May 15th. The Scottish nobility disapproved and turned on the couple. Mary was imprisoned at Lock Leven Castle in June. It was here she was once again confronted and forced to abdicate.

  

Mary Stuart

Lord Bothwell

 Mary eventually escaped Loch Leven to England. She expected her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, to aide her in reclaiming her throne. Rather, Mary was placed under house arrest.

I have now finished the Henry VIII Timeline and added it to the Tudor Events Page. You can get to it here. I am now going to work through the rest of the Tudor monarchs in order, so bare with me! It is quite time consuming, but I think it is really worth while!

Claire at The Anne Boleyn Files has devised an amazing opportunity for Tudor lovers! “The Anne Boleyn Experience 2010″ will offer travelers the chance to walk in Anne’s footsteps by visiting places connected with her, as well as stay at Hever Castle, the Boleyn family home!

For pricing and a detailed itinerary click here.

Here is an article on a Tudor dessert, once eaten by Henry VIII. The article tells a bit about the dish as well as food at the Tudor Court. At the bottom is the recipe itself. It’s really interesting! I am really tempted to try it out!

Here’s the link.

I ran across this across an interesting article about the top ten places to visit in the UK. Several of them are Tudor related (such as Hampton Court). But the one that stuck out to me the most was Acton Court. I have heard of this in passing, but didn’t know much about it. Apparently, it was owned by Anne Boleyn in 1535 and is the only surviving royal apartment used by Henry VIII. It was only discovered a few years ago! This is really fascinating to me. I have seen the amazing state apartments at Hampton Court, but Henry VIII’s private apartments are either no longer there or greatly altered (and not open to the public!)

There is a picture on the site of one of the interiors of Acton Court on the site (it is the fourth one down)

Here’s the link!

Here are two events for July 19:

Jul 19, 1545-The warship, and pride of Henry VIII’s navy the “Mary Rose” sinks off Portsmouth. The reason for its sinking is still under debate, but here are the top two theories:

1) It was originally thought that the ship sank as the result of an unfortunate combination of poor design and tidal forces.

2) The above version of events was accepted until 2008, when a new analysis of the wreck was performed. Sources said that the ship had fired from the port side and made a sharp turn so she could fire from the starboard side. The turn was so sharp that the ship heeled sufficiently to submerge the open gun ports, allowing enough water to enter to sink the ship. Sources also suggest that the Mary Rose had the gunports too near the waterline, increasing the risk of an influx of water.

July 19, 1553-Lady Jane Grey, the “Nine Days Queen,” is replaced by Mary I as Queen of England. After being proclaimed Queen, Jane proceeded in a stately procession to the Tower of London where she would await her coronation. Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII, had in turn taken up residence at Framlingham Castle to protect herself and gather support. After only nine days, Mary and her followers marched on London and were welcomed by the people. Jane and her husband were imprisoned in the Tower to await trial for treason.

Just when I began to be bummed that there were no more Henry VIII events! 

Hampton Court Palace is staging two plays. The first is titled “A Little Neck” and focused on Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII’s relationship from Jan. to May 1536. It focuses on”the role of medicine in the 1,000 day Queen’s downfall - centring on her second miscarriage and the ensuing political and personal fallout.”

The second play is “a restaging of John Heywood’s The Play of the Weather, which was commissioned by Henry VIII.”

The most interesting part to me is that both plays will make use of Hampton Court Palace’s historic rooms and surroundings, as well as immersing the audience in the action!

Here’s the link for more info.

I would absolutely love to see this! If anyone is lucky enough to go, please share your thoughts and experiences with me and I will post so others can see!

On July 16, 1557 Anne of Cleves, Fourth wife of Henry VIII, died at Hever Castle. She was buried at Westminster Abbey on Aug. 3. Though Catherine Parr is known as the wife who “survived,” Anne of Cleves actually outlived her, being the last of Henry VIII’s wives to die. 

There is no recorded cause for her death, but by July 1557 her health was bad and she retired from court.