Author: Heather R Darsie

Women

Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan and Lorraine, Lady of Tortona

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

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie4 Comments
Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Fifth Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

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

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie5 Comments
Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Fourth 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

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie6 Comments
Women

Dorothea of Denmark and Norway

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

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie4 Comments
Bestiary

From the Bestiary: Hoopoe

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

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie1 Comment
Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Third Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie, J. D.  In this letter likely from 1527, Henry seems upset that Anne Boleyn failed to follow through on a promise she gave and did not give Henry positive emotional support the last time he saw her. Henry also asks after Anne’s current health. Henry writes, “Although, my Mistress, it has not pleased you to remember the promise you made me … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Third Love Letter to Anne Boleyn

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie7 Comments
Events

The Beginning of a Dynasty: the Coronation of Henry VII

by Heather R. Darsie On 30 October 1485, Henry VII’s coronation was held, and he became the first Tudor monarch. The date of 30 October was chosen in part because he wished to be crowned king before the next sitting of Parliament, which took place on 7 November. By having his coronation before the next sitting of Parliament, which was the first to take place … Continue reading The Beginning of a Dynasty: the Coronation of Henry VII

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie5 Comments
Women

Viewing 16th Century Women through a 21st Century Lens, an Opinion**: Margaret Tudor and Mary, Queen of Scots

by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. Recently I wrote a short piece about Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots and sister of England’s Henry VIII. I encountered a secondary source that was written in the 20th century which did not have many good things to say about Margaret. This caused me to think about her granddaughter Mary, Queen of Scots. I was thinking about how both … Continue reading Viewing 16th Century Women through a 21st Century Lens, an Opinion**: Margaret Tudor and Mary, Queen of Scots

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie13 Comments
Events, Women

Margaret Tudor: Scottish Queen or English Princess?

by Heather R. Darsie Please enjoy this article I wrote, which originally appeared at: http://queenanneboleyn.com/2017/10/18/margaret-tudor-scottish-queen-english-princess-heather-r-darsie/   Margaret Tudor shuffled off her mortal coil on 18 October 1541, just shy of 52. Though her official cause of death is unknown, it is most likely that Margaret from complications due to a stroke.  A letter dated on or about 31 October 1541 was written by Henry Ray to … Continue reading Margaret Tudor: Scottish Queen or English Princess?

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie11 Comments
Wooing a Lady

Henry VIII’s Second Letter to Anne Boleyn

by Heather R. Darsie There is not much to this letter, and it is perhaps one of the more frustrating letters because Anne’s letters surrounding this one of Henry’s do not exist. The letter is all of one complex sentence long. Henry writes, “Though it is not fitting for a gentleman to take his lady in the place of a servant, yet, complying with your … Continue reading Henry VIII’s Second Letter to Anne Boleyn

Unknown's avatarHeather R Darsie5 Comments