It would seem that tagging the word “Tudor” to anything is meant as a surefire hook. Nothing is interesting unless it’s Tudor. Well, things ain’t always Tudor by any means, and some things only happened to still be around during that unlamented period. In this case it’s a horse cemetery in Westminster that had been… Continue reading The 14th-16th century Westminster horse burial ground that is only Tudor, of course….
Tag: Westminster
When, oh when, did Henry Percy fight the “battle” of Duns….?
If, like me, you had never heard of the Battle of Duns, here’s a brief outline. Late in the 14th century Henry Percy, 4th Baron Percy (created 1st Earl of Northumberland in 1377) led an army of 7,000 over the border into Berwickshire and made camp at Duns to await reinforcements. One night the sleeping… Continue reading When, oh when, did Henry Percy fight the “battle” of Duns….?
THE GREAT PLAGUE AND PLAGUE PITS OF LONDON 1665
Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @sparkypus.com ‘THE GREAT PLAGUE – SCENES FROM THE STREETS OF LONDON’. FROM CASSELL’S HISTORY OF ENGLAND VOL.III (1905) ‘May 29th 1666. Spent on the City Marshall at ye shutting up of a visited house . . Is.0d.’ Plague had always stalked England throughout the centuries with regular outbreaks such as the… Continue reading THE GREAT PLAGUE AND PLAGUE PITS OF LONDON 1665
London created champagne before the French….!
Yes indeed, it seems that Londoners invented champagne. It’s a claim that won’t go down well across La Manche, and I found it at this site, which is also where I found the illustration from Rocque’s Map below. “…If you could time travel back to medieval London you would [find it] awash with vineyards at… Continue reading London created champagne before the French….!
Westminster, Eastminster….or Tower Hill?
If there is a Westminster, it follows there has to be an Eastminster. Right? Well, one moment it seems the answer is yes, the next it’s a definite no-no. I happened to go to this article which is very explanatory about Eastminster. Concerning Westminster, the site points out that “The Abbey’s own website suggests it was… Continue reading Westminster, Eastminster….or Tower Hill?
Some minor problems with Thomas More’s account.
King Edward, of that name the fourth, after that he had lived fifty and three years, seven months, and six days, and thereof reigned two and twenty years, one month, and eight days, died at Westminster the ninth day of April. King Edward was born 28 April 1442 and died 9 April 1483. He was… Continue reading Some minor problems with Thomas More’s account.
Renewing the wax covering Edward I’s body in Westminster Abbey…
While working my way through the Close Rolls of Richard II, I came upon the following intriguing entry for 11 July 1377, not long after the boy-king’s accession:- “….To the treasurer and the chamberlains. Order of the king’s money to renew the wax about the body of King Edward I buried in the church of… Continue reading Renewing the wax covering Edward I’s body in Westminster Abbey…
The joys of rubbish in medieval London….
Oh dear, just as we start imagining the romantic, colourful side of life in medieval London, we’re obliged to consider the other side of that particular coin. My trawlings through the Close Rolls and Richard II brought me to the following entry for 12 March 1393: “….To the bailiffs of Westminster of the abbot of… Continue reading The joys of rubbish in medieval London….
CICELY PLANTAGENET – NOT SO FORTUNATE AS FAIR.
Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri sparkypus.com Stained glass portrait of Cicely. Formerly in Canterbury Cathedral now in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow. Cicely Plantagenet (b.1469 d.1507) daughter and niece to kings, and a prime example of a medieval noblewoman who endured and in this case survived the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses. Oh how that… Continue reading CICELY PLANTAGENET – NOT SO FORTUNATE AS FAIR.
PERKIN WARBECK AND THE ASSAULTS ON THE GATES OF EXETER
Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri sparkypus.com This 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 high likelihood that John Evans ,who lies buried in Coldridge Church Devon, was… Continue reading PERKIN WARBECK AND THE ASSAULTS ON THE GATES OF EXETER
murreyandblue 