by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. Henry VIII’s tumultuous relationship with Anne Boleyn is very well exemplified by the contrast between his fifth and sixth letters to her. As seen in the fifth letter, Henry is very confident in the relationship and jubilant because of Anne’s gift and the meaning behind it. In the sixth letter, Henry VIII seems worried about a cooling of affection … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Sixth Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie Christina Oldenburg, born a Princess of Denmark and Norway, entered the world in November of 1521 or 1522. Being the daughter of Isabella of Austria, Christina was the niece to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Her father was King Christian II of Denmark and Norway. Christian II was deposed in January 1523, when the infant Christina was still quite small, … Continue reading Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan and Lorraine, Lady of Tortona
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. In the next letter from Henry to Anne Boleyn, Henry is devoid of anxiety after having received an expensive gift from Anne. Henry finds Anne’s interpretation of the symbolism behind her gift intoxicating, and writes to Anne: Wellcome Library, London, via Wikimedia Commons. “For a present so beautiful that nothing could be more so (considering the whole of it), … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Fifth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. Lucas Horenbout, painted between June 1526-June 1527. Royal Collection Trust. Henry VIII’s fourth letter to Anne Boleyn seeps romantic language, and is lacking the anxious tone of previous letters. Henry adopts an overall more romantic tone, and seems more confident in their relationship. The letter to Anne Boleyn starts with, “My Mistress and Friend, my heart and I surrender … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Fourth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie Dorothea Oldenburg, Princess of Denmark and Norway***, was born to King Christian II of Denmark and Norway, and Isabella of Austria on 10 November 1520. Isabella of Austria was younger sister to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and a niece of Katherine of Aragon. Dorothea was a niece of Charles V. Portrait by Michael Coxcie, 1545 Dorothea’s father, Christian … Continue reading Dorothea of Denmark and Norway
by Heather R. Darsie The Hoopoe is a very family-oriented bird, according to the Bestiary. “When it sees its parents growing old and their eyes growing dim, the bird…pulls out their feathers, licks their eyes, and warms them until they are rejuvenated.” The logic behind why this description was given is unclear, but is another fanciful illustration of how little was known about animal behavior. … Continue reading From the Bestiary: Hoopoe
Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts 