by Heather R. Darsie Please note that this article originally appeared on Medieval Archives. Wilhelm was born on 28 July 1516, the third living child and only son of Maria of Jülich-Berg and Johann III of Cleves- Mark. He was a… Read More ›
This and That
What was the Frauenzimmer?
by Heather R. Darsie Please note that this article originally appeared on Tudors Dynasty. In the 15th century, the word “vrouwenzimmer” slowly entered the German lexicon, becoming a fully-fledged concept by the late 15th to early 16th century. Literally meaning “woman’s… Read More ›
Who were the Landsknechte?
by Heather R. Darsie This article originally appeared on the Henry Tudor Society. In the 16th century there existed powerful groups of soldiers-for-hire in the Holy Roman Empire called “Landsknechte,” which literally means “country servants.” The singular form of the word… Read More ›
The Habsburg-Valois Wars
by Heather R. Darsie Please note that this article first appeared on LaurenMackay.co.uk The Habsburg-Valois Wars were part of another series of wars. The Italian Wars took place from 1494 to 1559, where the parties struggled for control of the Italian… Read More ›
The Charming Side of Charles V
by Heather R. Darsie ** Please note that this originally appeared on https://samanthawilcoxson.blogspot.com/ While researching for Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s ‘Beloved Sister’, I came across a couple anecdotes about Charles V’s character. I envisioned him before I started… Read More ›
The First Hint of Trouble: An Early Spat Between the Johann II of Cleves and Elector Frederick of Saxony
by Heather R. Darsie This article first appeared on History, the Interesting Bits . Throughout the late 15th and early 16th century, various disputes over territory sprung up across the German-speaking portions of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1517, a new facet… Read More ›
Anna of Cleves’ Maternal Grandparents: Wilhelm IV and III of Jülich-Berg and Sibylle of Brandenburg
by Heather R. Darsie This article first appeared on Sarah Bryson’s website. In honor of Charles T. Reice, 1926-2019. Reice served in the US army during World War II, including landing on the beaches of Normandy. He is remembered as a loving… Read More ›
How to Train Your Hawk: A 15th Century English Prioress’ Guide
by Heather R. Darsie This weekend when I was researching for my new book, anticipated in Summer 2021, I stumbled across a curious book from the 15th century. It is called, Book of Hawking, Hunting, and Heraldry. The book was printed… Read More ›
The Scythian Lamb, or the Delectable Lamb-Vegetable of Tartary
by Heather R. Darsie In the Middle Ages, rumour spread that there was a mythological zoophyte known as the Scythian Lamb or the Borametz. Herodotus, from the fifth century BCE and Theophrastus of the third century BCE wrote of the… Read More ›
The Poetry of Anne Boleyn: Sir Thomas Wyatt’s Sorrow
by Heather R. Darsie After Anne Boleyn’s startling arrest on 2 May 1536, several other men accused of being her accomplices in treasonous adultery were arrested. Sir Thomas Wyatt himself was arrested, but later released without charges. While he was… Read More ›
