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Claire | January 16, 2012
In researching my Friday 13th article on superstitions for The Anne Boleyn Files, I came across the tale of Agnes Bowker who went in to labour on the night of the 16th January 1569 and gave birth to a cat on the 17th. In his book, “Travesties and Transgressions in Tudor and Stuart England: Tales
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Claire | December 21, 2010
Fancy adding some traditional Tudor and Elizabethan foods and drink to your own Christmas traditions? Here are some recipes to help you:- Collar of Brawn – This pork loin dish, also known as “To Sowse a Pigge”, dates back to Medieval times and was served on Twelfth Night. Goose in Sawse Madame – A traditional
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Claire | December 15, 2010
BBC News have today reported that scientists have identified an embalmed head in a private collection as being that of Henri IV of France, the Bourbon King who was assassinated by a Catholic fanatic in 1610. Henri IV, also known as Henri le Grand, Le Bon Roi Henri, the Green Gallant and Henry of Navarre,
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Claire | December 14, 2010
Apologies for not writing much on here lately, I’ve been rather overwhelmed with Christmas orders ( a good thing!), Christmas preparations and life in general (like a roof falling in!). I know many of you are interested in how Christmas was celebrated in Tudor and Elizabethan times so you may find the following three articles
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Claire | September 22, 2010
Just a quick post to let you know about a wonderful article on the Daily Mail website which gives information about the Ceremony of the Keys and also the history of the royal menagerie, the animals that were housed at the Tower from the reign of King John in the 13th century until the last
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Claire | August 24, 2010
On this day in history, the 24th August 1572, an estimated 3,000 French Protestants (Huguenots) were massacred in Paris and a further estimated 7,000 in the provinces. According to tradition, Catherine de’ Medici persuaded her son, King Charles IX of France, to order the assassination of key Huguenot leaders who had gathered in Paris for
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Claire | April 23, 2010
Today marks the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death in 1616 and possibly his birth in 1564. We do not know his actual birthday but he was baptised in Stratford-upon-Avon on the 26th April 1564 so the 23rd April is when we celebrate his birth. William Shakespeare has got to be one of the greatest (if
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Claire | April 11, 2010
On this day in history, 11th April 1554, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger was executed after being found guilty of treason. Wyatt, son of Sir Thomas Wyatt the poet, led an uprising known as “Wyatt’s Rebellion” against Queen Mary I. The rising was in opposition to Mary’s plans to marry the Spanish King, Philip II
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Claire | February 19, 2010
On this day in history, the 19th February 1592, the Rose Theatre, an Elizabethan play house, was opened in London on Bankside. In 1585 Philip Henslowe, a London businessman and property developer, leased a tenement and gardens known as the Little Rose. In 1587, with the help of grocer John Cholmley and carpenter John Griggs,
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Claire | February 15, 2010
This post continues from The Anne Boleyn Files post “Henry VIII’s England” which is an article on last night’s episode of “The Seven Ages of Britain” where David Dimbleby explored the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I through examining the art and treasure of the period. Hatfield House David Dimbleby’s first stop, in considering
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