Love Letter Nine from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: Anne has the Sweat!

by Heather R. Darsie By June 1528, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were deeply in love. The dreaded Sweating Sickness, or English Sweat, had tightened its grip in Anne’s household, and she retired to Hever Castle. Anne herself contracted the Sweat. This was very serious news, as the Sweat could kill its victim in less than forty-hours after symptoms appeared. In his fright for Anne’s … Continue reading Love Letter Nine from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: Anne has the Sweat!

Heather R DarsieJanuary 31, 2018May 5, 20197 Comments

Illuminators and Manuscripts, Wooing a Lady

The Little Book of Love

by Heather R. Darsie The Little Book of Love, or Petit Livre d’Amour, is an absolutely fascinating, and terribly romantic, illuminated manuscript. Also known as Enigmas of Love, it was a Valentine’s Day gift from Pierre Sala (b. 1457 — d. 1529) to his sweetheart. Sala devised the poems contained within the book. He also was the scribe for this particular project. It is thought that the … Continue reading The Little Book of Love

Heather R DarsieJanuary 20, 20187 Comments

Bestiary

From the Bestiary: Scitalis

by Heather R. Darsie By Unknown medieval monk (Medieval bestiary) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons The Scitalis is a gorgeous, lazy, predatory serpent. It lies about all day, waiting to hypnotize its prey with the dazzling colours of its back. Stunned by the Scitalis’ beauty, the poor beast who stopped to admire the Scitalis is then devoured. The Scitalis has a very high body temperature, … Continue reading From the Bestiary: Scitalis

Heather R DarsieJanuary 20, 20181 Comment

This and That

Thomas Tallis, Tudor Composer

by Heather R. Darsie It is thought that Thomas Tallis, alternatively spelled “Tallys,” could have been born on 30 January 1505, though it is not known for certain. What is known is that Tallis did not die until 1585, and contributed greatly to the development and composition of English choral music. Not much is known about Tallis’ early life. There are no records of his … Continue reading Thomas Tallis, Tudor Composer

Heather R DarsieJanuary 20, 2018October 4, 20192 Comments

Wooing a Lady

Love Letter Eight for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie This letter to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was written mostly by Anne Boleyn, with a postscript by Henry VIII. As for the art of wooing, perhaps Henry believed a letter to Cardinal Wolsey from the gentler sex (Anne Boleyn) would prod him to the purpose of producing an annulment of Henry’s marriage to Katharine of Aragon all the more quickly. As history … Continue reading Love Letter Eight for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

Heather R DarsieJanuary 7, 2018January 7, 20184 Comments

Illuminators and Manuscripts

Shooting Stars: the Bright and Short Careers of the Limbourg Brothers

by Heather R. Darsie In case you missed it on http://queenanneboleyn.com/2018/01/01/shooting-stars-the-bright-short-careers-limbourg-brothers-heather-r-darsie/ Herman (1385), Paul (1386/87) and Johan (1388) were born in the city of Nijmegen, in what is modern-day Gelderland, Netherlands. Artistic skill ran in the family for these brothers: their father was a wood-carver and their maternal uncle, a painter to Isabella (or Isabeau) of Bavaria, Queen of France. This familial connection to the French … Continue reading Shooting Stars: the Bright and Short Careers of the Limbourg Brothers

Heather R DarsieJanuary 7, 2018January 7, 20185 Comments

Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts

Month: January 2018