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
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
by Heather R. Darsie July, 1549. The almost twelve-years-old Edward VI had been King of England for two-and-a-half years. Landlords had begun enclosing the common lands, which prevented peasants from being able to have a place for their animals to graze. Several landlords had taken to raising sheep, as the English wool trade was growing quite prosperous. This, in concert with a host of other … Continue reading The End of Kett’s Rebellion
by Heather R. Darsie Erasmus: his name is synonymous with humanism, education, and intelligence. Across Northern Europe several Erasmus programs exist at universities, so students may pursue their studies at multiple universities and in multiple languages. During his lifetime, Erasmus corresponded with such notable people as Sir Thomas Moore and John Colet. Erasmus assisted Hans Holbein in his quest to move to England and influenced … Continue reading Desiderius Erasmus, an Exceptional Mind
by Heather R. Darsie The twelfth love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn is a doozy, colloquially speaking. It shows the passion Henry has for Anne, the court intrigues of the Boleyn family, issues Henry had with religious entities in England, and was likely written just before Cardinal Wolsey made a brazen move counter to Henry’s wishes. Let us begin. Wenceslaus Hollar, via Wikimedia … Continue reading Love Letter Twelve from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn
by Heather R. Darsie, J. D. On 24 March 1603, Elizabeth I died. She was approaching the age of 70 years. “It is not my desire to live or to reign longer than my life and my reign shall be for your good,” said Elizabeth to her parliament in 1601. Upon one of the many times parliament questioned Elizabeth about her plan of succession, she … Continue reading Sorrow in the City: Reactions to the End of an Age
by Heather R. Darsie Mary of Guise was born 22 November 1515 to Claude of Lorraine, the Duke of Guise, and Antoinette of Bourbon. She was the eldest of twelve children. Mary was first made a wife in 1534 at the age of eighteen when she married the Duke of Longueville. She had two sons with her first husband, the second of whom died young. … Continue reading Coronation of Mary of Guise
by Heather R. Darsie This is Part III of a four-part series, which seeks to look at what were considered the attributes of a Renaissance prince, and who of our four princes embodied the ideals of the Renaissance best. What were some of those themes? The idea of a Renaissance man stood for a person who strove to embrace knowledge and develop himself. This included … Continue reading Who was a True Renaissance Prince? Part III: Henry VIII of England
by Heather R. Darsie Mary, Queen of Scots lost her life on 8 February 1587. She was not buried for almost a full five months, finally being laid to rest on 5 August 1587 in Peterborough Cathedral. Peterborough Cathedral already had one queen buried there, namely, Katharine of Aragon, buried in 1536. Peterborough Cathedral has an impressive history beginning in 655 BCE, when the site … Continue reading The Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots
by Heather R. Darsie This is Part I of a four-part series, which seeks to look at what were considered the attributes of a Renaissance prince, and who of our four princes embodied the ideals of the Renaissance best. What were some of those themes? The idea of a Renaissance man stood for a person who strove to embrace knowledge and develop himself. This included … Continue reading Who was a True Renaissance Prince? Part I: James IV of Scotland
Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts 