Thomas Tresham was born in about 1420. He was the son of William Tresham and Isabel Vaux. (Isabel Vaux was the great-aunt of that Sir William Vaux who was executed at Tewkesbury.) William Tresham was an important servant of Henry VI, which undoubtedly helped his son’s advancement. In 1443, father and son were appointed joint… Continue reading Thomas Tresham – Lancastrian and Speaker of the Commons.
Month: Jan 2024
The Radcliffes of Radcliffe Tower (and elsewhere)
Radcliffe Tower still survives, but only in part. The remnant is but a ruined stone tower, to which was once attached a substantial great hall and other apartments. The Tower was the home of the principal line of the Radcliffe family (Radcliffe of The Tower). There were several cadet branches and, needless to say, the… Continue reading The Radcliffes of Radcliffe Tower (and elsewhere)
How many Princesses of Wales have there been….?
I have a liking for deliberately misinterpreting what someone else has written, and the headline of this article Who has held the title of Princess of Wales throughout history? (msn.com) is a prime example. Blimey, thought I, somewhere there’s a very, very, very old royal dear who has survived all these centuries…. But that’s… Continue reading How many Princesses of Wales have there been….?
Just how beautiful WAS George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham….?
The Stuarts aren’t our period of course, but this link is interesting and worth a read. The opening line reads as follows: “….Beautiful, charismatic and cunning, George Villiers caught the eye of one king, was the favourite of another, and soared to heights of power and wealth in 17th-century England – only to… Continue reading Just how beautiful WAS George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham….?
The Dingleys of Cropthorne
While visiting Evesham for last year’s medieval re-enactment, I happened on the village of Cropthorne, with its large medieval church. I do a fair bit of church-crawling, and this was a fine specimen, built near the sites of a Saxon hunting lodge and containing a 9th century Saxon cross. It also had some interesting 17thc monuments to… Continue reading The Dingleys of Cropthorne
Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and his siblings
It is difficult to keep track of the various ‘Somersets’ who pop up in the Wars of the Roses, and easy to confuse them. Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset (1436-1464) was the third Duke of his line. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father at the first Battle of St.… Continue reading Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and his siblings
Phil Harding narrates for Wiltshire towns….
Here’s all you need to know about this link, including that each episode features the marvellous Phil Harding, of Time Team fame. Oh arrr, Phil! Long may you reign! “….A new app which describes the history of Wiltshire towns has been launched today. “….Each town gets an audio introduction from a popular member of the… Continue reading Phil Harding narrates for Wiltshire towns….
No roads to or from Berkeley in Gloucestershire….?
You all know the old saying “Curiosity killed the cat”. I’m one such cat and often see something funny or odd in the blandest of sentences. I just can’t help it. Well, this irrepressible curiosity has been pricked again. At the age of 10, in the summer of 1340, Edward of Woodstock, the young… Continue reading No roads to or from Berkeley in Gloucestershire….?
Sutton Hoo – the missing link?
The Wuffingas, Raedwald in particular, lived in an era when such royal dynasties transitioned from paganism to Christianity. Digging in detail at Suttton Hoo, this time by school children and assisted by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to build on the knowledge we already have, is carrying on and seems to have located a hybrid temple.… Continue reading Sutton Hoo – the missing link?
“Becoming Elizabeth”
This drama series, from Starz but now broadcast on Channel Four, follows the momentous but unheralded reign of Edward VI through the eyes of the future Elizabeth I. It features the literally fratricidal feud between the Seymour brothers as the elder, the Duke of Somerset, becomes Lord Protector but also the King’s governor, powers that… Continue reading “Becoming Elizabeth”
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