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
by Heather R. Darsie It is not entirely clear when Henry Tudor, King of England, fell for Anne Boleyn, but it is approximated as some point in 1526. There exists a series of letters from Henry to Anne in the Vatican Library. In 1720, the letters were published for the first time in Hearne’s Roberti de Avesbury Historia de mirabilus gestis Edwardi III. They have since … Continue reading Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: Letter One, Approx. July 1527
by Heather R. Darsie In case you missed it earlier this week on QueenAnneBoleyn.com , have a look! The lives of Henry VIII of England’s six wives are much-chronicled, with myriad books, shows, art, and the like, depicting and dramatizing key moments in each woman’s life. Another man had almost as many wives, though their respective demises were much less salacious than those of Henry’s. … Continue reading The Four Wives of Philip II
by Heather R. Darsie Anne of Cleves by Hans Holbein, 1539 Anna von Kleve, known to English speakers as Anne of Cleves, left her homeland in December 1539 to join her new husband, Henry VIII of England. The two had been married by proxy a couple months earlier, in October. After Henry successfully negotiated the marriage alliance with Anna’s younger brother Wilhelm, Duke of Cleves … Continue reading If by Land or by Sea
by Heather R. Darsie Unknown Woman by Hans Holbein, c. 1539 After just over six months of marriage, on 9 July 1540, Anna von der Mark, more commonly known as Anne of Cleves, was divorced from Henry VIII of England. As part of her reward for acquiescing so easily to Henry’s request, she would forever after be known in England as the Daughter of Cleves … Continue reading Amalia of Cleves, Sister of Anna of Cleves
by Heather R. Darsie Unknown Woman, previously identified as Amalia of Cleves by Hans Holbein, c. 1539 After just over six months of marriage, on 9 July 1540, Anna von Kleve, more commonly known as Anne of Cleves, was divorced from Henry VIII of England. As part of her reward for acquiescing so easily to Henry’s request, she would forever after be known in England … Continue reading Amalia of Cleves, Sister of Anne of Cleves
by Heather R. Darsie Sibylle von Kleve, who signed her name as “Sybylla,” was born on 17 July 1512. Sybylla eventually became older sister to Anna von Kleve, more commonly known as Anne of Cleves or Henry VIII’s fourth wife, in 1515. Sybylla, the eldest of Maria von Julich-Berg’s children with Duke Johann von Kleve, was elevated to the station of Electress Consort through her … Continue reading Sibylle, the Other Daughter of Cleves
by Heather R. Darsie Sibylle von der Mark, simply known as “Sybylla of Cleves” during her lifetime, was born on 17 July 1512. Sybylla eventually became older sister to Anna von von der Mark, more commonly known as Anne of Cleves or Henry VIII’s fourth wife, in 1515. Sybylla, the eldest of Maria von Julich-Berg’s children with Duke Johann III of Cleves, was elevated to … Continue reading Sybylla, the Other Daughter of Cleves
On 24 February 1525, the Battle of Pavia was fought as part of the Italian Wars that began in 1521 and ended in 1526. The French troops, led by King Francis I, fought against the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V’s Imperial army, which was reinforced by Spanish troops. The battle lasted around four hours, with the French taking heavy casualties. Francis himself was taken captive … Continue reading Her Brother’s Keeper: Marguerite of Angouleme, Queen of Navarre Rescues Francis I from the Emperor
Illuminated Books of Hours were items commonly kept by the nobility. The Master of François de Rohan completed at least one Book of Hours for Francis I (François, Françoys) of France. Other items identified as executed by the Master of François de Rohan include translations of Italian works, a treatise on hunting, books or poetry, and a copy of the English Bible that was sent … Continue reading A Very Brief Introduction to the Master of François de Rohan
Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts 