Comments on: Finding Kat Ashley by Karen Harper

By: sarah. r

sarah. r — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:49:01 +0000

This is a welcome look at the life of a sometimes neglected and sometimes unjustly maligned figure. I do agree with Ceri C though, as well. The best biography on Blanche, by the way, is ‘Mistress Blanche – Queen Elizabeth I’s Confidante’ by Ruth E. Richardson. A bit dry, but it does give all the available facts.

By: Rose

Rose — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:34:49 +0000

Sounds really interesting!
I haven’t yet heard of Blanche Parry but i’ll be sure to be doing some research now! I think that the idea of a book of Kat’s point of veiw is a really good idea, too – just finding a topic of a book that’s freash is hard. Believe me, i should know!

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:44:48 +0000

Hi Ceri,
Elizabeth Files visitor, Rochie, wrote an article for us on Blanche Parry – see http://www.elizabethfiles.com/mistress-blanche/3117/ – and I agree with you about her being a mother figure for Elizabeth. I was glad that Tracy Borman, in her book “Elizabeth’s Women”, recognised the influence of Blanche Parry on Elizabeth because, like you, I feel that she is often neglected.
Thanks for the comment!

By: Tracey Saxon

Tracey Saxon — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:22:31 +0000

Wow! Thanks so much for posting Ms. Harper! I simply love your writing and can not wait to read your next book. I look forward to learning more about Kat Ashley through your interpretation.

By: Ceri C

Ceri C — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:38:20 +0000

Sounds like a fascinating book; I’ve always been interested in Kat Ashley but I have to point out that she was not Elizabeth’s only mother figure.
Blanche Parry came into her household as a cradle-rocker for the baby princess whilst still very young herself. She outlived Kat Ashley, spent the whole of her long life with Elizabeth and was a close and trusted companion. She also taught Elizabeth Welsh! She was a relation of William Cecil, himself being of Welsh descent, and was very well-thought of at Elizabeth’s court. For some reason, Kat Ashley catches all the attention, perhaps because of her imprisonment and involvement in the Seymour affair.