Some people who are fond of Wales are also fond of the dynasty founded by Henry VII because they perceive it as ‘Welsh’. They tend to overlook that Edward IV and Richard III were descended from a real Welsh Prince, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. This was recognised at the time by Welsh commentators in the case… Continue reading A ‘Welsh’ Dynasty and Wales
Month: Sep 2014
Just what or who is in that urn in Westminster Abbey….?
This may be something everyone else knows but I didn’t. So I’ll post it, in case others might wonder as I do. Who or what is in the urn in Westminster Abbey, which supposedly contains the bones of the two boys known as the ‘Princes in the Tower’? I have acquired a book called The… Continue reading Just what or who is in that urn in Westminster Abbey….?
Deliciously Wicked Richard
Richard III really will have to try harder if he is going to live up to that interesting reputation of his. After all, what good is a serial incestor if all he does is simply marry his cousin (with a Papal dispensation) which occurs all the time nowadays anyway – without the Papal dispensation? And… Continue reading Deliciously Wicked Richard
Henry’s insecurity….
There’s quite an interesting (48-minute lecture) take on Henry VII at http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/magnificence-a-tale-of-two-henrys. The lecturer points out that when Henry arrived in Westminster after Bosworth, he was the first King of England who had no experience whatsoever of how an English court worked. The lecturer thinks he was reliant upon his mother and wife to guide… Continue reading Henry’s insecurity….
A dramatic change
Something happened to the British kingdoms just half a century after Bosworth. From 1536, the second “Tudor” (and his like-minded nephew James V) began to execute women for political offences, a practice unknown hitherto. There had been exceptions such as the St. Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002, although Ethelred had neither judged nor attainted his… Continue reading A dramatic change
Why do people still hate Richard III?
There is an argument in some quarters that Ricardians are “nutters”, “obsessives” and a lot of other ruder words. There is an element of truth in this, given that virtually all human activity beyond eating, sex and sleeping is inherently pointless. Unless one is part of the enthusiasm, it is equally hard to understand why… Continue reading Why do people still hate Richard III?
Those misunderstood “Tudors”?
According to Holinshed, the cuddly Henry VIII ordered the executions of some 72,000 people. Adding in the effects of his father’s reign and those of his children might well take the total to about 100,000 although that may exaggerate their rate somewhat. What a good thing this wasn’t a recognised separate dynasty until Hume’s time,… Continue reading Those misunderstood “Tudors”?
Richard III: The Last Dodo Bird?
With news coming out of Leicester Cathedral as to how they plan to observe the re-interment of Richard III in March, 2015, I was reminded yet again of how the public continues to perceive this monarch from the 15th century. Even well-intentioned and balanced reporting in the media continues to perpetuate a historiography that emphasizes… Continue reading Richard III: The Last Dodo Bird?
A Defense of Olivier’s Richard the Third
Laurence Olivier once took a bullet for Richard. Well, not a bullet, exactly, but an actual arrow shot into his unprotected calf from a professional archer during the making of his 1954 film “Richard the Third.” Sir Laurence would go on to take many more arrows in his career – from being pilloried for “The… Continue reading A Defense of Olivier’s Richard the Third
Little bit of history in this beautiful artefact from our King John era . . . .
I am posting this courtesy of Leigh Griffiths of the Mortimer History Society. A papal bull is an official paper document issued by the pope or his office. The term derived from this fascinating device which was used to seal the formal bull.. The Bulla. (Latin, Bullire, to boil. A reference to the bubble like shape… Continue reading Little bit of history in this beautiful artefact from our King John era . . . .
murreyandblue 