sources

On fairy tales …

Nov 15, 2014

genealogy, law, sources

Carmarthen, Catherine de Valois, Edmund Duke of Somerset, fairy tales, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gwladys Dhu, Henry VI, Henry VIII, Hereford, Jane Austen, Llewellyn Fawr, Mortimers, ODNB, Owen Tudor, Reformation, royal marriages

I am sure we have all read the story of a bathing servant, Owain Tudor, who then emerged from the water in even fewer clothes than Fitzwilliam Darcy, watched by the widowed and besotted Queen, Catherine de Valois. The story goes on to relate that they married, had two sons and possibly more children. He…
The consequences of the Human Shredder

Nov 12, 2014

battles, sources

Bodmin, Constable of England, Cornish rebellion, Elizabeth Lambert, Hastings Execution, Henry VII, John Morton, Oliver King, Richard III, Robert Morton, Roger Layton, Sir Thomas Metcalfe, Thomas Lord Stanley, Thomas More, Thomas Rotherham, Titulus Regius, Vergil

We already know that William, Lord Hastings, was one of several people arrested on the morning of 13 June for a conspiracy against the Duke of Gloucester, who was both Constable and Lord Protector. We know that Bishop Morton was among the others but that Hastings alone was executed, that the Constable had the right…
The book Kendall could write today (3) – the “pre-contract” and

Aug 9, 2014

law, sources

“Princes”, Barrie Williams, denialists, John Ashdown-Hill, Portuguese archives, pre-contract

Or, more correctly, the “previous contract of marriage”. This is the other topic that has really moved on over the past sixty years. From a situation in which Lady Eleanor’s very existence was denied as late as twenty years ago, anyone who understands the subject and lays the evidence, including that of the cover-up, in…
The book Kendall could write today (1) – Elizabeth of York

Jul 24, 2014

sources

“Tudor” propaganda, Barrie Williams, denialists, Elizabeth of York, Hicks, Paul Murray Kendall, Portuguese archives, Richard III

By SuperBlue Paul Murray Kendall (1911-73) was a Professor of English, famous for writing three landmark historical biographies. Apart from “Warwick the Kingmaker” and “Louis XI”, his “Richard III” was published in 1955. Scientific and historical records are always developing and thus Kendall had the advantage of knowing things that Markham could not, just as…
“Perkin” again ….

Jul 16, 2014

sources

“confessions”, “Perkin”, “Tudor” propaganda, Ann Wroe, Edward of Warwick, Elizabeth Barton, insanity, Tyrrell, Viscountess Rochford

In writing this, I have to own up that my copy of the book is signed by Ann Wroe in person. Our discussion confirmed that she retains an open mind on the youth’s identity, uncommon as that may be in writers on the period, but there are three possibilities: 1) He was the middle son…
The mysterious Human Shredder

Jul 9, 2014

sources

Anne Neville, denialists, Elizabeth of York, Henry VII, Joao II, Lord Mountjoy, Manuel, petition, pre-contract, Richard III, Robert Morton, Vergil

So was it Robert Morton, Richard III’s Master of the Rolls and nephew of the future Cardinal, or Polydore Vergil, Henry VII’s pet “historian”? Either way, quite a few documents from Richard’s reign have gone missing. We will adopt a cautious approach to this list: There remain no letters between Richard and Anne although they…
Book Review – “The Coronation of Richard III: the Extant Documents” by Anne F. Sutton and P. W. Hammond

Jul 5, 2014

Book Reviews, sources

Anne Neville, Anne Sutton, book review, Coronation, Peter Hammond, Richard III, Wardrobe accounts

The date was the 5th of July, in the year 1483, and the City of London played host to one of the most remarkable displays of pomp and circumstance seen in recent memory. Amid much bustling at the Tower, there emerged a procession led by minstrels and trumpeters in red liveries, heralds wearing coats of…
Thomas Stafford – his execution clarified

Jan 28, 2014

buildings, sources

“Tudor” justice, executions, John Strype, Scarborough, Thomas Stafford, Tower Hill

Thomas Stafford – a new source (by Stephen Lark) When I composed a Bulletin article about Thomas Stafford in 2005, I knew a few things about him – his descent from George of Clarence and Henry of Buckingham whilst not being the senior descendant of either – but some things were not known. There…