No, I haven't gone mad! Today, 25th March, was really the start of the calendar new year in Tudor times. Find out more in today's video.
Also on this day in history:
- 1571 – Roberto di Ridolfi left England with a commission to open negotiations to end the trade war, but also with authorisation from Mary, Queen of Scots and the Duke of Norfolk to get Spanish aid for their plot against Elizabeth I.
- 1584 - Letters patent granted to Walter Ralegh to "discover, search for, fynde out and view... landes, countries and territories", for the benefit of himself, "his heyres and assignes forever."
- 1586 - Catholic martyr Margaret Clitherow (née Middleton), known as “the Pearl of York”, was pressed to death at the toll-booth on Ouse Bridge in York, under 7 or 8 hundredweight. She was executed for harbouring Catholic priests.
I loved the description of the joust in the reign of Mary I as it continues her father’s love for this sport and shows her as a lover of entertainment and magnificent display. Loved the explanation of the tax year too. Happy New Year!