Monthly Archives: May 2020

Edward IV 1442-1483 Society of Antiquaries of London For a king whose reign is otherwise well documented it is curious that the cause of Edward’s death remains a mystery.  It would also appear his death was unexpected.  It seems he was first taken ill at the end of March and despite having access to someContinue reading “THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDWARD IV”

Westminster Abbey –  site of Coronations since 1066.  Photo  @Association of English Cathedrals A crucial part of coronations in Westminster Abbey is the moment the monarch is crowned with the Crown of St Edward and invested with the royal regalia while seated on what is now commonly known as the  Coronation Chair although the correctContinue reading “The Coronation Chair and Stone of Scone”

Here is a link to an interesting map and article on the murder hotspots of medieval London.  Click on a dot and details pop up of that particular murder. Most of the culprits either just simply disappeared pronto or skedaddled into sanctuary and  frustratingly the outcomes are not shown.  The vast majority of the victimsContinue reading “Murder and mayhem in medieval London”

A King and Queen.   Dated c 1480s – could these paintings be based upon Anne and Richard? The Eton Wall Paintings Queen Anne Neville died on the 16th March 1485 less than a year after her small son Edward who had died some time in April 1484.  The Croyland Chronicler tells us that sheContinue reading “DID RICHARD III LOVE ANNE NEVILLE – ‘MOST DEARLY BELOVED CONSORT’?”

  The arms of Richard III in Crosby Hall  On June 5th 1483 the Duchess of Gloucester arrived in London and joined her husband at Crosby Place (1).  She had left both her small son and and  home at Middleham to join her husband, who had been staying  until then, with his mother at BaynardsContinue reading “CROSBY PLACE – HOME TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER 1483”

William Shakespeare @Abdul Rahim One, or two,  of these  may come in useful the next time you find yourself lost for words……. “Villain, I have done thy mother” (Really rude and should only be used in the event you don’t mind your lights being punched out..) Titus Andronicus (Act 4, Scene 2) “You scullion! YouContinue reading “Useful Shakespearean Insults for every Occasion….”

Westminster Hall venue of the King Richard III and Queen Anne Neville’s Coronation Feast. Queen Anne and King Richard from the Rous Roll.  Anne is wearing the Crown of Queen Edith and Richard wears the Crown of St Edward.  And so dear reader, on the 6 July 1483 Richard and Anne were crowned. We doContinue reading “The Coronation Feast of King Richard III and his Queen”

19th century painting of the Henry VII Chapel by an unknown artist.  The entrance to the area where the urn stands is to the left of the tomb of Henry VII Some thoughts on the mysterious bones contained in the urn in the Henry VII chapel in Westminster Abbey thought by some to be those of the ‘missingContinue reading “The Bones in the Urn again!…a 17th Century Hoax?”

Reconstruction of a Medieval Painting from St Stephens Chapel. Possibly Queen Philippa with her daughter.  Ernest William Tristram c.1927.   Worked from original drawings made by the antiquarian Richard Smirke 1800-1811 before the fire of 1834. Society of Antiquities.   Parliamentary Art Collection St Stephen’s was the medieval royal chapel of the Kings and Queens ofContinue reading “St Stephen’s Westminster – Chapel to Kings and Queens”

COWGATE NORWICH, DAVID HODGSON c.1860.  WHITEFRIARS STOOD ON THE EASTERN SIDE BETWEEN THE CHURCH OF ST JAMES POCKTHORPE (SEEN ABOVE) AND THE RIVER A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY..NORWICH MUSEUM On 30 June 1468, died  Eleanor Butler nee Talbot.   Eleanor came from an illustrious family.  Her father was the great John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, herContinue reading “THE CARMELITE FRIARY OF NORWICH KNOWN AS WHITEFRIARS – BURIAL PLACE OF ELEANOR TALBOT”