In the church of All Saints, Carshalton, now part of South London, can be found the charming 15th century brass of Margaret Gaynesford nee Sidney, her husband Nicholas and their various children. Due to the brass being attached to the wall and not the floor, as is usually the case, it has still retained muchContinue reading “MARGARET GAYNESFORD – GENTLEWOMAN TO QUEEN ELIZABETH WYDEVILLE”
Author Archives: sparkypus
MARY PLANTAGENET – DAUGHTER OF EDWARD IV & ELIZABETH WYDEVILLE – A LIFE CUT SHORT
This is said to be a portrait of Cicely, Mary of York’s sister. However I believe it could actually be a portrait of Mary. Originally in the Royal Window, Northwest Transept, Canterbury Cathedral but now in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow. Mary Plantagenet also known as Mary of York was the second daughter of King EdwardContinue reading “MARY PLANTAGENET – DAUGHTER OF EDWARD IV & ELIZABETH WYDEVILLE – A LIFE CUT SHORT”
CLATTERN BRIDGE -A MEDIEVAL BRIDGE – KINGSTON UPON THAMES
CLATTERN BRIDGE Photo @Matt Brown Clattern Bridge, Kingston upon Thames, was built prior to 1293 to replace an even older Saxon bridge and amazingly is still in use today. A good example of a medieval multi-span bridge and still containing impressive medieval masonry. The first Saxon bridge, probably built to replace an even older ford,Continue reading “CLATTERN BRIDGE -A MEDIEVAL BRIDGE – KINGSTON UPON THAMES”
CARDINAL JOHN MORTON’S TOMB IN THE CHAPEL OF LADY UNDERCROFT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
On Friday 13th June 1483 Cardinal Morton, along with others, was arrested at the Tower of London. It is well documented the role Morton played in the downfall of Richard III. Morton was Richard’s arch enemy and his deviousness, cunning and powers of manipulation being well known, there is no need to go into themContinue reading “CARDINAL JOHN MORTON’S TOMB IN THE CHAPEL OF LADY UNDERCROFT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL”
BERMONDSEY ABBEY AND ELIZABETH WYDEVILLE’S ‘RETIREMENT’ THERE
Elizabeth Wydeville, unknown artist, Royal Collection. If anyone today wandering around Bermondsey, South London, should find themselves in redeveloped Bermondsey Square they may be surprised to find that they are standing on the spot where once stood the quadrangle of the Abbey of Bermondsey, the entrance to the square being the site of the AbbeyContinue reading “BERMONDSEY ABBEY AND ELIZABETH WYDEVILLE’S ‘RETIREMENT’ THERE”
A NEW KING, A NEW REIGN – KING RICHARD III, LOYAULTÉ ME LIE
Mural in the Royal Exchange, Offer of the Kingship to Richard Duke of Gloucester at Baynards Castle June 26 1483 , Sigismund Goetz On this day 27 June 1483 no doubt King Richard, and his wife Anne, both awoke shell shocked. Perhaps they had slept little as they no doubt took in the significance of these life changingContinue reading “A NEW KING, A NEW REIGN – KING RICHARD III, LOYAULTÉ ME LIE”
SIR WILLIAM STANLEY – TURNCOAT OR LOYALIST?
Sir William Stanley crowning Henry Tudor with the fallen King Richard’s crown in the aftermath of the Battle of Bosworth. Unknown artist.. It is well documented how, through the treasonable and treacherous actions of Sir William Stanley at Bosworth, Richard III lost his crown and his life. He was hacked to death after Sir William,Continue reading “SIR WILLIAM STANLEY – TURNCOAT OR LOYALIST?”
The Priory of St John at Clerkenwell and a visit by Richard III
The Great South Gate now known as St John’s Gateway as it is today Shortly after the death of his wife, Anne Neville on the 16th March 1485 Richard rode to the Priory of the Knights Hospitaller of St John at Clerkenwell. . On the 30 March 1485, which fell on a Wednesday (1) King RichardContinue reading “The Priory of St John at Clerkenwell and a visit by Richard III”
MINSTER LOVELL HALL, HOME TO FRANCIS LOVELL, VISCOUNT LOVELL
Minster Lovell at sunset. Photo with thanks to Colin Whitaker Minster Lovell Hall, Oxfordshire lies in beautiful, atmospheric ruins set amongst trees besides the River Windrush in the heart of the Cotswolds. Pevensey describes these ruins to be ‘still the most picturesque in the country’. It was at least the second manorContinue reading “MINSTER LOVELL HALL, HOME TO FRANCIS LOVELL, VISCOUNT LOVELL”
JOHN HOWARD, DUKE OF NORFOLK – HIS WEDDING GIFTS TO MARGARET CHEDWORTH
JOHN HOWARD, PAINTING OF A STAINED GLASS IMAGE FORMERLY AT TENDRING HALL OR SOUTH CHAPEL, STOKE-BY-NAYLAND CHURCH, NOW LOST. John Howard, what a colossus of a man – Admiral of England, member of the King’s Council, Earl Marshal, Knight of the Garter, Treasurer of the Royal Household, High Sheriff , a great shipowner and muchContinue reading “JOHN HOWARD, DUKE OF NORFOLK – HIS WEDDING GIFTS TO MARGARET CHEDWORTH”
A MEDIEVAL POTPOURRI 