Monthly Archives: May 2020

King Richard III and Queen Anne Neville wearing the crowns of Edward the Confessor and Queen Edith.  The Rous Roll. Edward IV and his consort Elizabeth Wydeville wearing the crowns of  Edward the Confessor and Queen Edith.  Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers.  Lambeth Palace.   The first Coronation Crowns,  known as the crowns of  EdwardContinue reading “THE MEDIEVAL CROWNS OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND QUEEN EDITH”

The effigies of Joan Neville and her husband William Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel.  On a recent visit to the Fitzalan Chapel, Arundel, I stood transfixed at Joan Neville’s beautiful monument.  Carved from Caen stone.  Joan’s effigy lies next to that of her husband, William Fitzalan Earl of Arundel (1417-1489).  Her head turned toward him, she gazesContinue reading “JOAN NEVILLE, SISTER TO THE KINGMAKER.”

Interior view of the Henry VII Chapel by Giovanni Canaletto.  Henry’s tomb can be seen in the distance with the chapel housing the urn to the left. Lawrence E Tanner Keeper of the Muniments (1926-66)  Librarian, Westminster Abbey Who could blame anyone, after reading Tanner and Wright’s report of their investigation into the infamous bonesContinue reading “‘RECENT INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING THE FATE OF THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER’ by Laurence E Tanner and William Wright 1933”

Austin Friars today.  This section of road covers part of  the perimeter of the Friary.    With thanks to Eric, Londonist.  Austin Friars in London, was founded about 1260 by Humphrey de Bohun 2nd Earl of Hereford and Constable of England d.1275.   It was rebuilt in 1354 by Humphrey de Bohun d.1361, Humphrey’s greatContinue reading “AUSTIN FRIARS: LAST RESTING PLACE OF PERKIN WARBECK”

Richard Duke of Gloucester and Lady Anne, Edwin Austin Abbey, 1896. It’s said a picture can paint a thousand words.  It certainly can but not always accurately.  It can distort the truth.  Art work based on the Ricardian period is certainly true of this.  Take for example the stunning painting, above,  by Edwin Austin Abbey,Continue reading “CAN A PICTURE PAINT A THOUSAND WORDS? RICARDIAN ART”

Illustration from Livre de chasse c.1387-1389.  Gaston Phébus,  Count de Foix  It’s obvious from the amount of depictions of dogs from the medieval period they were highly prized by our ancestors, both for work and play. They are everywhere!  Their delightful little figures pop up on tombs, heraldry and manuscripts regularly.  When depicted on a tomb effigyContinue reading “THE MEDIEVAL DOGGIE AND EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM”

Jacob’s Island formed by a loop in the River Neckinger c1860.  Formerly known as Folly Ditch. Watercolour  J L Stewart 1829-1911 @Museum of London Here is a link to a very interesting article on London’s Lost and Forgotten Rivers with details of  some interesting finds recovered from the Thames including, my favourites , a 12thContinue reading “LONDON’S LOST AND FORGOTTEN RIVERS”

YORK MINSTER –  Yorkist Citizens long held the memory of Richard dear after his death. Photo @ Association of English Cathedrals Entry from the York City House book…’King Richard late mercifully reigning upon us was thrugh grete treason of the duc of Northefolk and many othre that turned ayenst hyme, with many othre lordes and nobilles of this north parties,Continue reading ““THE MEMORY OF KING RICHARD STILL LAID LIKE LEES AT THE BOTTOM OF MENS HEARTS’ Sir Francis Bacon”

Is there anyone else like me who enjoys a good nosy around someone’s privy purse accounts.  They can tell us so much about that person.  For example, Henry VII’s Privy Purse Accounts.  From them we can glean, for example,  how did Henry spend his time relaxing , after doing a hard day’s usurping?    WellContinue reading “THE PRIVY PURSE ACCOUNTS OF HENRY VII 1491 to 1505”

Anne Neville – possible portrait of her from the Luton Guild Book (1) Arms of Queen Anne Neville @ British Library Richard III’s queen, Anne Neville’s death at the Palace of Westminster on the 16th March 1485, followed not long after the death of their only child, Edward of Middleham in April 1484.    AnneContinue reading “QUEEN ANNE NEVILL – HER BURIAL IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY”