Author: Heather R Darsie

Illuminators and Manuscripts

A Princess of Wales Parakeet in 14th Century Manuscript?

by Heather R. Darsie Yesterday evening I was browsing through the Walters Art Museum of Baltimore’s collection of illuminated manuscripts. I was viewing a late 14th century Book of Hours, created for the Use of Paris, when I thought I spied a very familiar bird: a Princess of Wales Parakeet or Princess Parrot. Princess Parrots are indigenous to Australia, so I thought that surely there … Continue reading A Princess of Wales Parakeet in 14th Century Manuscript?

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Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Seventeenth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie The seventeenth love letter from Henry VIII of England to Anne Boleyn was likely written in late September 1528 because it mentions the arrival of the papal legate, Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio. Campeggio was acting legate in Rome for Pope Clement VII after Henry’s nephew through his current marriage to Katharine of Aragon, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, sacked Rome in … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Seventeenth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

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This and That

A History of Beer Brewing in Germany and the Low Countries

by Heather R. Darsie Happy New Year, everyone! My very best wishes to you for a prosperous 2019!  Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Wedding Dance,” c. 1566, via Wikimedia Commons. When asked about trades which had a large impact upon economic development and government interests during the Renaissance, twenty-first century observers might instinctively point to the wool trade between England and the Low Countries, the … Continue reading A History of Beer Brewing in Germany and the Low Countries

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This and That

ANNOUNCEMENT Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister

from Heather R. Darsie I am pleased to inform you that after almost four years of research and writing, my new biography entitled, Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister will be released by Amberley Books of the UK in Spring 2019, with release in the US a few months later. Anna remains an intriguing woman and important part of Anglo-Continental politics in the 16th century. I … Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister

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This and That, Women

Phoenix Birth: Jane Seymour and the Importance of Death and Birth in Tudor England

by Heather R. Darsie Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI, died days after giving birth. An inscription above her grave read: “Here lieth a Phoenix, by whose death Another Phoenix life gave breath: It is to be lamented much The world at once ne’er knew two such.” As queen, Jane’s motto was, “Bound to Obey and Serve.” Her personal … Continue reading Phoenix Birth: Jane Seymour and the Importance of Death and Birth in Tudor England

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This and That

A Brief Look at Jousting Armor

by Heather R. Darsie Jousting, much like Rugby or American Football, was a full-contact, dangerous sport. Severe injuries and even death were quite common. Henry II of France died in 1559 when a lance’s splinter breached Henry’s helmet and entered his brain by way of the eye.  More like American Football and less like Rugby, individuals participating in the joust wore protection. Turnierbuch Ritterspiele Most … Continue reading A Brief Look at Jousting Armor

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Wooing a Lady

Love Letter Sixteen from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie The sixteenth love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn was written around the middle of September 1528. Pope Clement VII, captured by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in June 1527 after the sacking of Rome in May, was still Charles V’s prisoner. The Pope did not return to Rome until October 1528. When Henry wrote this letter, he was … Continue reading Love Letter Sixteen from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

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This and That, Women

The Revenge of Margaret Pole

by Heather R. Darsie In case you missed it on QueenAnneBoleyn.com On 28 July 1540, a great, accomplished man of Tudor Times was beheaded on Tower Hill. That man was Thomas Cromwell, briefly the 1st Earl of Essex, and Henry VIII’s Chief Minister. Cromwell sought to reform and consolidate the legal system the secular legal system and move away from canon law. Cromwell succeeded in establishing … Continue reading The Revenge of Margaret Pole

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