humour
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2861643/CHRISTOPHER-STEVENS-Damian-Lewis-No-best-Henry-VIII-Sid-James.html Yes, Sid James’ was probably the best portrayal of Henry VIII on screen, but the first (Arthur BOURCHIER, 1911) actually shared the surname of some of that King’s (apparent) relatives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Bourchier
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It is well known that John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, was one of the principal opponents of Henry VIII’s attempt to divorce Catherine of Aragon. The boiling to death of his cook for the alleged crime of attempting to poison him is less familiar. The facts are that a number of people in the bishop’s…
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An old episode of Dr Who (1988) was on television this morning. Called “Silver Nemesis”, it was partly filmed in a beautiful old 15th century house that I did not recognise. So a quick Google revealed it to be St Mary’s House and Gardens at The Street, Bramber, West Sussex. It was built circa 1470…
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Internet trolls are a very busy breed, and surely need something to sing as they work. So here’s a little anthem for them. To be sung to the tune of “You don’t get me, I’m part of the union”, by the Strawbs. Now I’m an internet troll… Amazed at what I control I say what…
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According to Perkin by Anne Wroe (page 140) Henry VII’s envoy, Somerset Herald, when visiting Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy and her son-in-law, Maximilian of Austria in 1495, offered to show them the chapel where Richard, Duke of York was buried. I am surprised that this particular piece of evidence has not been shouted to the…
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We published “A mystery from 1468” nearly two months ago, pointing out that Lady Eleanor Talbot owned some land after 1461 and trying to explain how. It wasn’t from her first marriage or as a dowry. It wasn’t inherited. She couldn’t have afforded to buy it. It seems to have come from Edward IV but…
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It never ceases to amaze me what I can find on the web. Only the other day I came upon an interesting argument. You know all that positive legislation Richard enacted in his one and only Parliament? (The legislation that the anti-Richards tend to play down, and claim did not really add up to a…
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The fact that various foreign courts recognised Perkin Warbeck as Duke of York merely shows that he was a useful diplomatic tool against Henry VII. Even though he was personally known to Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, it is obvious that he was animposter. She was clearly telling lies for political purposes. On the other hand,…
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I’m writing the latest book in my Cicely Plantagenet series, in which Henry VII’s pet monkey makes its appearance. But I’m stuck for a suitable name for the little darling. The monkey, that is, not Henry. I’ll love to hear any (polite) suggestions. I’ll love to hear them all, of course, but the name in…
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