anniversaries
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Here is a selection of useful inventions. I was surprised to find out how old the stair lift was but Henry VIII and his maternal grandfather could both have availed themselves of it and 1536 was just in time for the former’s riding accident. The fire extinguisher only dates to 1818 but many people really…
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This was shown on BBC2 during August and the subject has been covered several times in recent years, not least with our old friend Dr. Starkey. However, I am pleased I watched it for two reasons. The first is that The Boleyns: A scandalous family discussed the situation from the perspective of Thomas Boleyn seeking…
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My internet travels take me here, there and everywhere…and today I came upon another site about facial reconstructions of past figures of consequence. There have been quite a few of these in recent years, and this one is an interesting addition. Well, addition for me, it may have been around for quite some time.…
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If you go to this link you’ll find a fascinating, zoomable map of Europe in 1444. You really can zoom right in, and my only regret is that more towns, etc. aren’t indicated. Well, a lot are listed by initials on the left, but it’s not the same as being able to read them once…
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Ralph Neville, second Earl of Westmorland.
AJ Pollard, Cockermouth Castle, Elizabeth Holland, Elizabeth Percy, Holands, Joan “Beaufort”, Margaret Cobham, Percies, property disputes, Raby Castle, Ralph 2nd Earl of Westmorland, Ralph Earl of Westmorland, Richard III, Richard of Salisbury, Rising of the North, Sir John Neville, Sir Thomas Neville, Towton, Wars of the RosesRalph Neville (about 1406 to 1484) was the son of Sir John Neville and Elizabeth Holland. Sir John was the eldest son of Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland by his first wife, Margaret Stafford, while Elizabeth was one of the late 14th Century’s answer to the Mitford Sisters, the Holland sisters who married anyone who…
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WILLIAM CATESBY, GOOD GUY, BAD GUY, TRAITOR? THE CLUES IN HIS WILL
Ashby de la Zouch, Battle of Bosworth, bigamy, Crowland Chronicle, Daniel Williams, Elizabeth Lady Latimer, Elizabeth St. John, Francis Viscount Lovell, George Lord Strange, Henry of Buckingham, Henry VII, illegitimacy, JA Roskell, King’s Council, Lady Eleanor Talbot, Logge Register, Lord Scrope of Bolton, Margaret Zouche, Peter Hancock, pre-contract, Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, Richard III, Robert Catesby, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Thomas Cardinal Bourchier, Thomas Lord Stanley, Thomas More, Tower of London, treason, William Catesby, William Colyngbourne, William Lord Hastings, wills, WydevillesREBLOGGED FROM A MEDIEVAL POTPOURRI sparkypus.com Brass of William Catesby, Ashby St Ledgers Church. Commissioned by William’s son in 1507. Date of death 20th August is incorrect, predating Bosworth, perhaps in an attempt to cover up his inglorious end. Note the damage across the neck. Photo Aidan McRae Thomas Flkir As no doubt can be seen…
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I have to admit that I didn’t know Henry VI‘s arm was ever missing (post mortem!) let alone that it had been replaced by a bone from something else! How very irreverent. In 1471, Edward IV first buried the defeated Lancastrian king Henry at Chertsey, presumably all in one piece. Chertsey was out of the…
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The myth of the “Princes in the Tower” is about to be turned into an opera. I notice too that their disappearance is immediately described as “one of history’s most notorious unsolved crimes”. What crime? No one knows if there ever was one, let alone that poor old Richard was responsible. It has always…
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Ricardians often bemoan the repeated myths about Richard’s wickedness and cruelty. And with good reason. In spite of the fact that he did what he could to better the lot of women, he is accused of bullying the poor old (treacherous) Countess of Oxford because she happened to be financing her Lancastrian son who was…
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Salisbury Grey Friars has all but disappeared from the archaeological record. Founded in 1225-8 , it was never a very large house, situated near the still impressive medieval St Ann’s Gate leading into Salisbury’s Cathedral Close. At the reformation, Grey Friars was destroyed and any extant buildings and stonework sold off and re-used (several…