How much do you know about the treaties, alliances and agreements of the Tudor period? Test yourself with this fun quiz – good luck!
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Treaties and Alliances Quiz
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13 December 1577 – Sir Francis Drake sets off on his circumnavigation of the Globe
On 13th December 1577, Sir Francis Drake finally left Plymouth with his fleet of five ships on a journey which would see him circumnavigating the Globe. Storm damage to two of his ships had scuppered earlier plans.
The purpose of this journey was to sail into the Pacific and raid the Spanish colonies there. It was a secret mission authorised by Queen Elizabeth I and investors of Drake’s mission included the Queen, Sir Francis Walsingham, William and George Wynter, Christopher Hatton and John Hawkins.
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Tudor Cooking with Claire – Lambswool Wassail
Tudor Christmas festivities were not complete without the Tudor equivalent of punch or sangria: the Wassail or Lambswool, a hot spiced ale or cider drink which was passed around in a communal bowl for everyone to enjoy. I thought I’d have a go at making some Lambswool Wassail, so called because the pureed apple rises to the top and creates a foamy head. I hope you enjoy my video.
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New online history course
I’m excited to share news of this new online medieval history course which is now available at MedievalCourses.com and which is twenty-module course written by historian and author Toni Mount and narrated by Claire Ridgway (me!). What’s great about this course is that it is online and can be done at your own pace, so no worrying about attending classes at a certain time or missing lectures. Simply download the lectures and listen/read when it’s convenient, or listen online with streaming.
More good news is that MedievalCourses.com is offering Tudor Society members a saving off this course – scroll down to the bottom of this post for more information.
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Monarchs’ Bios
As it’s Mary, Queen of Scots’ birthday today I have added a brief biography of her to our Bios section, which already features brief bios of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I.
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By me William Shakespeare: A Life in Writing – Exhibition
An exhibition telling the story of Shakespeare’s life in London through the paper trail left behind.
Discover the stories behind key moments in Shakespeare’s life, from the birth of the Globe theatre in London to his last days in Stratford-upon-Avon, 400 years ago.
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The Amicable Grant of 1525 by Sarah Bryson
Thank you to author Sarah Bryson for this article on the Amicable Grant, a tax imposed to fund the war against France in 1525.
England had previously been at war with France in 1523 and war against the old enemy was once again proposed in early 1525. In February of that year the French troops had suffered a devastating loss against the Imperial troops of Charles V outside of Pravia. To make matters even worse for the French, their King, Francis I, had been captured in the battle and was now a prisoner of Charles V. When the messenger brought the news of Francis I’s capture to Henry VIII the King is reported to have been likened to the Archangel Gabriel, such was his happiness and excitement at hearing the news. Henry VIII, ever the opportunist, saw another chance at military glory and quickly proposed war against France. The English King believed that the idea to go to war had been blessed by God and, unlike two years previously, he had visions of reclaiming the French throne for England.
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This week in history 7 – 13 December
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Tudor Churchmen Quiz
How much do you know about the prominent churchmen of the Tudor period? Test yourself with this fun quiz.
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Ethelreda Malte – An Illegitimate child of Henry VIII?
In today’s Claire Chats I discuss Ethelreda Malte, the theory that she was fathered by Henry VIII and the evidence used to back up the theory.
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Expert Talk: Melanie V. Taylor on Nicholas Hilliard
Here’s this month’s expert talk with our resident art historian Melanie V. Taylor, author of “The Truth of the Line”. It’s a fascinating delve into the life and artwork of Nicholas Hilliard.
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Phoenix Birth: A Look at Jane Seymour and the Importance of Death and Birth in Tudor England by Heather R. Darsie
Jane Seymour’s phoenix badge[/caption]Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI, died days after giving birth. An inscription above her grave read:
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Another Phoenix life gave breath:
It is to be lamented much
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This week in history 30 November – 6 December
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William Shakespeare Quiz
As this week has been the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s marriage I thought I’d test your knowledge of the Bard. Have fun with this quiz and good luck!
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Henry Fitzroy and Elizabeth Tailboys video
In today’s Claire Chats I continue my series on those said to be illegitimate children with a look at Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, who Henry VIII did acknowledge as his son, and his half-sister (or maybe sister) Elizabeth Tailboys.
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December 2015 Tudor Life Magazine
Happy Christmas Tudor Society Members!
Unless you’re one of our many Australian or South American members, December can be a very cold month indeed. What better way to keep out the damp and the wind than snuggling up with our December Tudor Life Magazine. It’s full of Christmas and festive themed articles, and this month we also have some food related sections too … all to help you survive the weather, where’er you are.
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Coronation of Elizabeth of York – 25 November 1487
On 25th November 1487, St Catherine’s Day, Elizabeth of York, consort of Henry VII and mother of one-year-old Arthur Tudor, was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey. As Elizabeth’s biographer Amy Licence explains, her coronation had been postponed due to her pregnancy and then unrest in England.
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Thomas Tallis c.1505 – 1585
Today is the anniversary of the death of Thomas Tallis, musician and composer, on 23rd November 1585 at his home in Greenwich. Greenwich. He was buried in St Alfege’s Church, Greenwich, in the chancel and the text on the brass memorial which once marked his tomb read:
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This week in history 23 – 29 November
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Perkin Warbeck by Sarah Bryson
On 23rd November 1499, Perkin Warbeck faced his death at Tyburn. He was sentenced to be hanged until he was dead. His crime was attempting to escape the Tower of London where he was held a prisoner, but his story goes back several years and involves a tale of deception, treason and rumours of a young Prince come back to life!
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The Young Elizabeth I Quiz
As this week has been the anniversary of Elizabeth I’s accession to the throne on 17th November 1558, I thought it was appropriate to test your knowledge of this queen’s early years – good luck!
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Transcript of Jane Moulder’s Expert Chat
Thank you to all who came to our live chat event online yesterday. Jane Moulder really enjoyed answering your questions and we had a great turn out. For all those who missed the event, here is the transcript of our discussion
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Tudor Cooking with Claire – Bread and Butter Pudding
For this week’s Claire Chats video, I decided to do a recipe from the November section of Elinor Fettiplace’s Receipt Book, a compilation of Elizabethan recipes by Lady Elinor Fettiplace. As I say in my video, I didn’t think it would be sweet enough with just sugar scattered over the top, but it actually was. It was a big hit at lunch, disappearing rapidly.
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Robert Sidney, Earl of Leicester
On this day in 1563, Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, courtier, patron of the arts and poet, was born at Penshurst in Kent. Sidney was the second son of Sir Henry Sidney and his wife, Mary (née Dudley), daughter of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.
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Live Chat with Jane Moulder FRIDAY 20th NOVEMBER
Jane Moulder will be in the chatroom tomorrow night (FRIDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2015) to chat about Tudor music with our members. The talk will be at 11pm-12pm UK time.
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17 November – Accession Day
Accession Day was celebrated throughout the reign of Elizabeth I and the reigns of many of her successors, and commemorated the day that Elizabeth I came to the throne on 17th November 1558. As well as Accession Day, it was also known as Queen Elizabeth’s Day or Queen’s Day and was celebrated with the ringing of bells, processions, the burning of an effigy of the Pope, and special tilts in which knights not only jousted but also dressed up and took parts in special pageants involving poetry and theatre.
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This week in history 16 – 22 November
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The Fall of Catherine Howard Quiz
November 1541 was the beginning of the end for Queen Catherine Howard so test your knowledge on her downfall with this fun quiz.
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Was Sir John Perrot Henry VIII’s son?
In today’s Claire Chats video I start a series on the people who are rumoured to have been illegitimate children of Henry VIII. I’m starting with Sir John Perrot, looking at who he was, where the rumours come from and whether there’s any evidence to back them up.
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13 November 1536 – The Murder of Robert Packington
On 13th November 1536, mercer and member of Parliament Robert Packington (Pakington) was shot to death by an unknown assailant while he was on his way to mass at St Thomas of Acre Chapel. He was shot with a wheellock pistol. Theories regarding his murder include that it was ordered by conservative bishops, or John Stokesley, Bishop of London, or John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s. He was definitely interested in Reform and Rose Hickman, a Protestant, recalled how he “used to bring English bybles from beyond sea”.
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