Author Archives: sparkypus

One of the restored rooms in Llwyn Celyn which is at Cwmyoy, nr Abergavenny. Llwyn Celyn, which means Hollybush in English, built in 1420,  has been in continuous occupation since 1480 to 2014 when brothers Trevor and Lyndon Powell left the property.  Its thought provoking to think that the original tenants of this property may wellContinue reading “LLWYN CELYN, A MEDIEVAL HOUSE RESTORED.”

Stained glass depiction of King Richard and his legendary horse, White Surrey. As we now know sadly, Richard, did not own a horse called  White Surrey or, as he has sometimes been called, White Syrie  (1).  But  Richard did own horses aplenty and we are fortunate lists of these horses have survived – see belowContinue reading “RICHARD III, WHITE SURREY AND HIS OTHER HORSES”

The atmospheric ruins of Kirby Muxloe Castle, showing the moat, the gatehouse and the only tower to near completion  Kirby Muxloe Castle, lies in Leicestershire countryside,  in ruins, the unfinished project of William, Lord Hastings.  Hastings was the epitome of a successful and powerful  15th century lord.  But as with other nobles of those turbulentContinue reading “THE RISE AND FALL OF WILLIAM LORD HASTINGS AND HIS CASTLE OF KIRBY MUXLOE”

Elizabeth Wydeville The Royal Window Canterbury Cathedral. Yes,  this is a serious question.  After reading several of the late John Ashdown-Hill’s books, particularly his last one, Elizabeth Widville Lady Grey, I think it’s time to give it some serious thought.  Although prima facie it may appear absurd, after all we are talking about a real actualContinue reading “Elizabeth Wydeville – Serial Killer?”

The arms of Ralph Boteler, Lord of Sudeley ..  Take a trip to the lovely Cotswold town of Winchcombe and there you will find Sudeley Castle, the Boteler family seat in Gloucestershire.  Some of those that lived in the castle are well known such as Queen Catherine Parr and the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey.  Continue reading “Ralph Boteler, Lord Sudeley, father-in-law to Lady Eleanor Talbot.”

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 place of Richard and Anne’s joint Coronation.  @Association of English Cathedrals When King Richard  III and  Queen Anne  were  both crowned on the 6th July 1483,  a crucial part of the ceremony involved Richard being crowned with St Edward’s crown and invested with  the royal regalia while sitting on the Coronation chair alsoContinue 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 Eaton 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”