CECILIA BONVILLE, MARCHIONESS OF DORSET c.1460-1529 – AN INTERESTING LIFE

Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @sparkypus.com The ruins of Astley Castle, Warwickshire. Think fortified manor house more than rugged castle.  One of the homes of Cecilia Bonville and her husband Thomas Grey.   The house came to the Grey family via marriage to a member of the Astley family c.1415. They both lie buried in the… Continue reading CECILIA BONVILLE, MARCHIONESS OF DORSET c.1460-1529 – AN INTERESTING LIFE

There’s a dentist in … Hertfordshire

{with apologies to the Barron Knights} Back in August of last year I drove over to a dental practice in St Albans for my annual check-up. Yes, it is a long way from where I live in Yoxford but the dentist and I go back a long way. I have actually been his patient since… Continue reading There’s a dentist in … Hertfordshire

Devon Roses

Devon Roses 2019 catalogue number R16 To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Devon & Cornwall branch of the Richard III Society Songs recorded from 2015 to 2019 at Rock Lee & Other World Studios   The lady singers of the Legendary Ten Seconds: Elaine Churchward vocals Jules Jones vocals Pippa West vocals Bridgit England… Continue reading Devon Roses

The “saintly” “Jane Shore”….?

  Well, if you read this you will surely be led to believe she was a saintly woman. She wasn’t, and considering her history with Edward IV, Hastings, the Woodvilles, and heavens know who else, Richard showed her amazing leniency. But then, he didn’t punish troublesome women to the extent they deserved. And yet fingers are… Continue reading The “saintly” “Jane Shore”….?

BBC Radio Leicester interviews John Ashdown-Hill …

… about his book “The Private Life of Edward IV”. Here, at 45:12, he discusses Edward’s legal marriage, his bigamous marriage and his (other) mistresses. Here, at about 49:00 , he disscusses Edward’s (hitherto little known) relationship with Henry, Duke of Somerset and his visits to Leicester.

Was Edward IV gay and/or bisexual? Dr John Ashdown-Hill thinks maybe so….

What follows was written entirely by Caroline Tilley, Senior Reporter of the Daily Gazette/Essex County Standard Secret marriages, scandalous affairs and one of the best-kept secrets in English history…. WHEN you have helped to unearth arguably the greatest historical find of the 21st century, some people might decide to put their feet up. Not Dr John… Continue reading Was Edward IV gay and/or bisexual? Dr John Ashdown-Hill thinks maybe so….

The Private life of Edward IV, by John Ashdown-Hill….

There are some very good biographies of Edward IV, by the likes of Pollard, Ross, Kleinke and Santiuste but surely none have tracked his movements, sometimes month by month, like this book does. This is not a full biography and it does not claim to be, but focuses on Edward’s romantic life – his known… Continue reading The Private life of Edward IV, by John Ashdown-Hill….

Jane Shore before and after Richard….

“These girls who were boarded out were not acquiring an academic, or even a domestic education, but learning to attend upon a mistress, to embroider, play the lute or virginals, sing and dance. A few might receive their education at a nunnery: Jane Shore, for instance, was a product, if not an advertisement, for the… Continue reading Jane Shore before and after Richard….

The consequences of the Human Shredder

We already know that William, Lord Hastings, was one of several people arrested on the morning of 13 June for a conspiracy against the Duke of Gloucester, who was both Constable and Lord Protector. We know that Bishop Morton was among the others but that Hastings alone was executed, that the Constable had the right… Continue reading The consequences of the Human Shredder