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..
Humphrey Duke of Gloucester from the Talbot Shrewsbury Book A print by an unknown artist now in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich depicting the Palace c 1487. Greenwich Palace, or Placentia as it is often known, was built around 1433 by Henry V’s brother, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, who named it Bella Court after heContinue reading “GREENWICH PALACE – HUMPHREY DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S PALACE OF PLEAZANCE”
Save as PDFA young Henry weeping on the empty bed of his dead mother Elizabeth of York. His two sisters Margaret and Mary sit at the foot of the bed. From the Vaux Passional, in the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth As an enthusiastic amateur I do love all the minutiae of history particularly the coincidences which cropContinue reading “THE PASSING OF ELIZABETH OF YORK – A ROYAL COINCIDENCE.”
Save as PDF15th century stained glass from great east window St Nicholas Chapel, Gipping. Did Elizabeth Wydeville gaze up at this very window if the family tradition is correct. Photo thanks to Gerry Morris @ Flickr While there is much information on Sir James Tyrell, c.1455-1502 available, unfortunately some of it is erroneous and distortion at itsContinue reading “SIR JAMES TYRELL – CHILD KILLER OR PROVIDER OF A SAFE HOUSE ?”
Save as PDFSt Michaels Mount. ‘A Strong Place and Mighty’ wrote Warkworth in his Chronicle. Perkin left Katherine and their son here prior to his march to Exeter. Note the causeway. Thanks to John Starkey @ Flikr for this atmospheric photo. It may seem prima facie that Katherine was a tragic figure, and perhaps she was forContinue reading “Lady Katherine Gordon – Wife to Perkin Warbeck”
Save as PDFSt Mary’s, Fairford, Gloucestershire. ‘A complete and perfect Perpendicular church’ and famous for it fine collection of medieval glass. Described in Betjeman’s Best British Churches as ‘a complete and perfect Perpendicular’ church(1) this beautiful wool church was rebuilt by John Tame, a wool merchant from Gloucester , in the late 15th Century to replace aContinue reading “ST MARY’S CHURCH, FAIRFORD: TUDOR ROYAL PORTRAITS”
Save as PDFThis is thought to be a portrait of Perkin Warbeck/Richard Duke of York from the Tournament Tapestry at Valenciennes Perkin Warbeck. Pencil sketch c1560. Note the eye blemish in both portraits. Following on from my earlier post and the theory that John Evans, who lies buried in Coldridge Church Devon, was indeed Edward V, hasContinue reading “RICHARD OF SHREWSBURY, DUKE OF YORK ALIAS PERKIN WARBECK AND THE ASSAULTS ON THE GATES OF EXETER”
Save as PDFThe beautiful and irreplaceable Merlina… It was sadly reported on the 13 January 2021, that one of the famous Tower of London ravens has gone missing and presumed she had passed away. Merlina or Merlin as she was first known arrived at the Tower in 2007 after being found by the side of a WelshContinue reading “THE RAVENS OF THE TOWER OF LONDON”
Save as PDFAncient Gateway at Astley Castle. Photo tysallsphotography.org.uk Astley Castle, Warwickshire, was the marital home of Sir John and Elizabeth Grey nee Wydeville. Sir John has somewhat been cast in the shadows by the eminence of his wife. He fought and died for Lancaster at the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461 and hisContinue reading “ASTLEY CASTLE – HOME TO SIR JOHN AND ELIZABETH GREY nee WYDEVILLE.”
Save as PDFThe Empress from the Eton Wall Paintings. Her eyes have been deliberately damaged. If you should happen to visit Eton College and enter the chapel there you will find the glorious range of medieval murals now known as the Eton Chapel Wall Paintings. Painted between 1479-87 and thought to be the work of at leastContinue reading “THE ETON CHAPEL WALL PAINTINGS – A PORTRAIT OF QUEEN ANNE NEVILLE?”
Save as PDFStained glass image of Edward V. St Matthew’s Church, Coldridge, Devon, This wonderful old church in Coldridge, Devon, contains some little gems including a charming portrait of the young Edward V (b.1470) in a stained glass window, who was king for such a short while. This unique portrait has recently been restored andContinue reading “A Portrait of Edward V and Perhaps Even a Resting Place?- St Matthew’s Church Coldridge”
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