A MEANDER INTO MEDIEVAL HISTORY INCLUDING MEDIEVAL LONDON, PALACES, CASTLES, CHURCH MONUMENTS, TOMBS, YORKIST KINGS AND QUEENS, HEROES, VILLAINS AND VILLAINESSES AND THE ODD CATTE..
MARGARET POLE, COUNTESS OF SALISBURY 1473-1541 Those looking for an in-depth assessment of the life of Margaret Pole need look no further. Hazel Pierce has more than adequately supplied it in her biography of Margaret – Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury 1473-1541 Loyalty Lineage and Leadership. Covering Margaret’s life from early childhood – orphaned at fiveContinue reading “Margaret Pole Countess of Salisbury 1473-1541 Loyalty Lineage and Leadership by Hazel Pierce.”
Save as PDFSt Andrew’s Church, Wingfield, Suffolk. Mausoleum of the de la Poles. You know when the great Sir Nikolaus Pevsner was ‘impressed’ with a church then it must indeed be rather special (1). And St Andrew’s with its soaring clerestories, nave roof with arched braces resting on figures of winged angels, charming ‘Decorated’ window tracery ofContinue reading “St Andrew’s Church, Wingfield and the Tombs of the de la Poles”
Save as PDFEffigies of Ralph Neville 2nd Earl of Westmorland d.1491 and one of his wives. Branchepeth Church, Durham. These effigies, which were wooden, are now lost to us having since been destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1998. Made in very dark oak it was difficult to get good photos of them thus we are indebtedContinue reading “THE MONUMENTAL EFFIGIES OF GREAT BRITAIN : CHARLES A STOTHARD”
Save as PDFDoes anyone else like me get irritated by misidentified portraits of historical characters? Is it that difficult to get correct? It’s quite sloppy to be honest as just a quick glance at them tells you something ain’t quite right here! It’s particularly common around 16th century portraiture when in actual fact that type of artContinue reading “MISIDENTIFIED HISTORICAL PORTRAITS INCLUDING TUDOR QUEENS…”
Save as PDFHenry VII and Elizabeth of York. Their effigies in Westminster Abbey. Artist Pietro Torrigiano. Photo westminster-abbey.org I was recently reading an excellent article in the Ricardian discussing Henry Tudor’s enthusiasm, or lack of it, for his marriage to Elizabeth of York by David Johnson entitled Ardent Suitor or Reluctant Groom? It’s pretty much an eye openerContinue reading “WAS HENRY VII A RELUCTANT BRIDEGROOM?”
Save as PDFStained glass portrait of Cicely. Formerly in Canterbury Cathedral now in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow. Cicely Plantagenet (b.1469 d.1507) daughter and niece to kings, and a prime example of a medieval noblewoman who endured, and in this case survived, the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses. Oh how that fickle wheel of fortune spunContinue reading “CICELY PLANTAGENET – ‘NOT SO FORTUNATE AS FAIR’.”
Save as PDFBrass of William Catesby, Ashby St Ledgers Church. Commissioned by William’s son in 1507. Date of death 20th August is incorrect, predating Bosworth, perhaps in an attempt to cover up his inglorious end. Note the damage across the neck. Photo Aidan McRae Thomas Flkir As no doubt can be seen from the title of thisContinue reading “WILLIAM CATESBY, GOOD GUY, BAD GUY, TRAITOR? CLUES IN HIS WILL…”
Save as PDFWith many thanks to Annette Carson – author of The Maligned King, and the new translation of Mancini, Domenico Mancini, de occupatione regni Anglie – for this excellent and informative article. It may be read in full either here or on Annette’s own blog –THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STONY STRATFORD With an interest in Richard III sinceContinue reading “THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STONY STRATFORD by ANNETTE CARSON”
Save as PDFAn intriguing doorway leads into the Great Chamber where the family would have entertained important guests. A fine 15th century fireplace has survived as well as a 16th century window. Photo from the English Heritage Guidebook book Following on from my earlier post Hastings rise, fall and Kirkby Muxloe he also rebuilt and fortified hisContinue reading “Ashby de la Zouch Castle – Home to William Lord Hastings”
Save as PDFElizabeth Woodville. Image from the Royal Window Canterbury Cathedral Very soon after the clandestine marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville had taken place in May 1464 it became abundantly clear to the old nobility that the siblings of the new Queen would henceforth have their pick from the most sought after heirs and heiresses ofContinue reading “THE MARRIAGES OF THE SIBLINGS OF ELIZABETH WOODVILLE”
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