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Battle of Branxton (Flodden) – 1513
It was early summer 1513, and the 22-year-old King of England, Henry VIII, had travelled with the bulk of his Southern armies to France, in defence of Italy and the Pope, in the siege of Therouanne, part of the War of the League of Cambrai; he fought alongside Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I, against the French King Louis XII. Leaving his Queen, Catherine of Aragon to act as Regent in his absence, he subsequently received a herald with a message that King James IV of Scotland was formally announcing attack (as per the chivalric code of battle) at some point in the near future, as part of his treaty with…
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Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Tudor!
What can we say that has not been said about the Virgin Queen? Gloriana shines brightly even now. However, if you were born and have been living under a rock, here is a little bit on my favorite Tudor. Elizabeth was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on September 7, 1533. Instead of the longed for prince, she was a very unwelcome princess. Henry had moved heaven and earth to marry his mistress to get a legitimate son. This began the long decline of Anne Boleyn, which led to her death on the scaffold when Elizabeth was two years old. No one thought the little girl would amount to…
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Charles Brandon Part II- Weathering the king’s love life
So in our first post, we discussed how Charles Brandon was the only person who prevailed in the king’s affection through his whole life. (Please see that post here: : http://www.historynaked.com/charles-brandon-part-i/ ) There was a rift that opened between them when Charles married Henry’s favorite sister, Mary, but that seemed to be on the mend. The couple had both begged Henry for forgiveness, putting the blame for the impetuous marriage on Mary. Charles wrote to Henry, “Sir, for the passion of God, let it not be in your heart against me, and rather than you should hold me in mistrust, strike off my head and let me not live.” This, plus…
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Alas, poor Yorick- The Curious Case of Shakespeare’s missing skull
William Shakespeare was the celebrated poet of the Elizabethan age. (For more on his life, please read our post on him: http://www.historynaked.com/william-shakespeare/ ) However, his death was shrouded in mystery. He died at age 52, which was relatively young for a person of wealth at that time. There were theories he died of syphilis, picked up at the Southwark brothels near his theater The Globe. There have also been theories that he was murdered. The most likely explanation comes from an account written by John Ward, the Vicar of Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, fifty years after Shakespeare’s death. He writes of a drinking bout with Shakespeare, his friend Michael…
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Charles Brandon- Best Friend to the King Part I
In a previous post, we discussed Maria de Salinas, who was the best friend to Catherine of Aragon. (For more on this, please see this post: http://www.historynaked.com/maria-de-salinas-best-friend-queen/ ) Henry had a lifelong friend as well who was a witness to his ascension as well as his decline. It can be argued, that Charles Brandon is the only person who successfully retained Henry’s affection for life. A feat none of his wives can claim. Charles Brandon was born in a solidly middle class family. His father, William Brandon, was a knight and his mother was Elizabeth Bruyn, an heiress. William was the standard bearer for Henry Tudor at the Battle of…
