Here is an extract from Terry Jones’s exquisitely researched book Who Murdered Chaucer? This extract deals with the first Lancastrian usurpation of the throne of England. The usurper was Henry of Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV, and the king he usurped and killed was his first cousin Richard II. I think Terry Jones’s words… Continue reading Did Chaucer die a natural death….?
Tag: executed women
Pedro I of Castile – an important ancestor of the House of York.
King Pedro I of Castile and Leon, known to some as ‘Pedro the Cruel’ and to others as ‘Pedro the Just’ was born in Burgos on 30 August 1334. His parents were Alphonso XI, King of Castile and Leon and Maria of Portugal, Alphonso’s queen and double cousin. Alphonso also had a mistress, Eleanor de… Continue reading Pedro I of Castile – an important ancestor of the House of York.
When in East Anglia, please avoid deserted country roads near water….
Oh dear, the shivers are running down my back because I just found this article which relates some of the watery horrors of East Anglia. I came upon the article while searching for something about John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, who would die at Bosworth alongside the king whose good friend and supporter he… Continue reading When in East Anglia, please avoid deserted country roads near water….
Cut Down That Family Tree!
Online History groups are frequently visited by new members who excitedly tell tales of their illustrious ancestral history–Eleanor of Aquitaine is their x 20 gran, Richard III is a direct forebear along with Anne Boleyn, they have mysterious Dark Age chieftains, Roman generals like Magnus Maximus…even King Arthur has popped up from time to time.… Continue reading Cut Down That Family Tree!
Ankarette Twynho
Who was Ankarette Twynho? It takes a lot of working out, as there is only limited information available and there are quite a lot of Twynhos, most of whom have some sort of official link to the court or to parliament. Ankarette herself was born a Hawkston or Hawkstone, sometime around 1412. Sadly, we do… Continue reading Ankarette Twynho
Sir Edward Hungerford’s murderous lady….
According to this link, Sir Edward Hungerford , had a shocking story attached to his memory. Sir Edward’s second wife, was Agnes Cotell who died 20th February 1523/4. Ah, but that’s to understate the point, because she was actually hanged for murder. What happened? Well, her first husband was John Cotell, who was Sir Edward… Continue reading Sir Edward Hungerford’s murderous lady….
Calais – a bed of Tudor roses for Anne Boleyn….?
Calais was at one time English territory, and Richard III made his son John of Gloucester the Captain of Calais. John was as ill-fated as his father. Further back, Warwick (the “Kingmaker”) was another Captain, and in 1469 his elder daughter Isabel was married there to Richard’s older brother George, Duke of Clarence. The… Continue reading Calais – a bed of Tudor roses for Anne Boleyn….?
A recently identified book …
… by the sixteenth century spokesman for the Marriage Guidance Council. After all, he had experience of six marriage ceremonies, even if he subsequently annulled four of them. Two of his “wives” didn’t have to waste time and money on their hairstyle or headdress – how thoughtful of him.
More nudge nudge that Richard killed his nephews….
“….If we ignore Lady Jane Grey, then the monarch with probably theshortest reign was Edward V. (Right now I can’t think of anyone else.) He succeeded his father on April 9, 1483, at the tender age of 12. His uncle took him and his brother to the Tower of London “for their protection.” Seventy-eight… Continue reading More nudge nudge that Richard killed his nephews….
Henry VIII’s “palace” in Southampton….
While looking into the history of Southampton I came upon the astonishing illustration above. What an absolutely stupendous building! And in its history there figure some important figures and events from Southampton‘s (and England’s) past. “….On the west side of St. Michael’s Square is the fine timber-built house now called ‘Henry VIII’s Palace,’ and probably… Continue reading Henry VIII’s “palace” in Southampton….
murreyandblue 