Henry,Virtuous Prince By David Starkey: A Book Review

David Starkey’s latest book is a fascinating and compelling look at a little-known period of the life of Henry VIII. The book is interesting because it deals with a lesser-known side of this king. Anyone who has an interest in Tudor history will find this an intriguing and fulfilling read.

The author describes the wealth and luxury of the Tudor court, but sets this against the paranoia of Henry VII – a man who never felt he had a secure grip on the crown he had won from Richard III and always had something to prove. This unease would carry down to his son, with dramatic results.

The Childhood of King Henry VIII of England
The future King Henry VIII of England did not seem at first to have been destined for greatness. He was the second son of King Henry VII, a man whose own claim to the throne was not rock-solid and who had won his crown in battle, rather than inherited it.

It was Henry’s older brother Arthur who received all the attention due a future king, Henry himself was destined for a career in the church. Nevertheless, he had a wealthy and pampered upbringing. As Starkey argues, the fact that Henry was brought up with his mother and sisters, rather than in splendid isolation like his older brother, shaped the character of this future king and his attitude towards women and marriage in later life.

Even as a second son, Henry’s every need was catered for. The author describes the young prince’s childhood in every detail. The infant prince had his own staff, including women employed simply to rock his cradle, as well as nurses and tutors; all employed to bring him up as befitted the son of a king.

Henry VIII’s Accession to the Throne of England
The death of Henry’s brother Arthur, the heir to the throne,was a shock to England and thrusted Henry into the spotlight. As Starkey demonstrates, the role of future king was one which Henry was more than ready to take. Starkey powerfully describes the young Henry growing in splendour - jousting, riding and masquing - whilst his father, King Henry VII grew ill and began to withdraw from court life. Gradually, the court turned towards their heir apparent and Henry VII became a fading character.

The author tries to imagine how Henry VIII must have felt upon the death of his father; sadness at his passing but rising excitement at the thought that he could now joust, ride and masque as he wished and that many women in the land would want to be his wife. Starkey shows a young Henry, eager to enjoy his favourite pastimes and happy to leave the administration of government to others; people who would eventually become more and more powerful.

The Early Career of Thomas Wolsey
Thomas Wolsey was one of several men who rose from humble origins during the reign of Henry VIII to become of the most powerful people in England. Wosley is shown persuading the young king that the land had been mismanaged during his father’s reign, but that a few good men could solve the country’s problems. Wolsey made himself indispensable to the king by dealing personally with matters of state which the king found tedious or distasteful. Henry hated to deliver disappointing news to anyone, but Wolsey would do the job.

The book ends as Wolsey’s power begins to grow and this, argues Starkey, is the point at which Henry began to turn bad. Wolsey had shown Henry what he could do as king and the pair were only just beginning to discover how powerful they were together. The Henry VIII of history was about to emerge.

In the final chapter David Starkey includes a poem 'believed' to be written by Henry VIII, as sourced by The Chronicle, E.Hall, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and Yorke [The Chronicle] 1809.



Though some say that youth rules me,
I trust in age to tarry.
God and my right (Dieu et mon droit), and my duty,
From them shall I never vary,
Though some say that youth rules me.

I pray you all that aged be
How well did you your youth carry?
I think some worse of each degree.
Therin a wager lay dare I,
Though some say that youth rules me.

Pastime of youth some time among~
None can say but nesessary.
I hurt no man, I do no wrong,
I love true where I did marry,
Though some say that youth ruled me.

Then soon discuss that hence we must
Pray we to God and St Mary
That all amend, and here an end.
Thus says the king, the eigth Harry,
Though some say youth ruled me.

Please leave any comments or questions I love hearing from you. Thank you for stopping by!

My Book Review & Interview of The Lady Elizabeth By Alison Weir

The Lady Elizabeth covers the years 1536-1588; two very important dates in Elizabeth I's life: 1536 - age three years old, a princess, the year of her mother, Anne Boleyn's, execution by her father, Henry VIII, through 1588 - the year of The Spanish Armada and the death of Lord Robert Dudley.

Although age separates the two sisters, Mary Tudor, daughter of Katherine of Aragon, and her younger sister, Elizabeth, are deeply connected to one another and value their position in King Henry’s affections. With some deference to Elizabeth’s extreme youth, Mary manages to avoid a natural tendency to resent her younger sister.

In this portrait, Mary and Elizabeth are strikingly like their mothers, Mary religious and serious, Elizabeth curious and precocious, with a markedly imperious bent that she hones over time, adapting to overwhelming challenges as a female monarch who refuses marriage regardless of the pressures of her advisors.

Although much is known of these sisters, including their lifelong tug-of-war over Elizabeth’s reluctance to betray the Reformed faith in favor of Mary’s fanatical Catholicism, Alison Weir cuts to the heart of Elizabeth’s character as a child, from a constant procession of stepmothers to the painful days of Henry’s renunciation of his daughters’ legitimacy.

Indeed, with the birth of Edward, son of Henry VIII’s union with Jane Seymour, both females are consigned to inheritance limbo, no longer referred to as “princesses” but “Ladies”. They navigate a treacherous court, but the young Elizabeth is so emotionally attached to Henry, the only male constant in her life, that she is particularly devastated by his death. Except for a few devoted souls, Elizabeth clings to Kat Ashley, the kindly servant who remains a constant caretaker and governess.

By the time she is a teen, Elizabeth has become so accustomed to courtly life that she indulges in court intrigues, becoming almost chameleonesque by perfecting her resonses to various factions who view her as a threat to Mary after Edward dies. By the time Mary takes the throne, Elizabeth has begun a private battle to protect her religious integrity in spite of Catholic Mary’s constant demands.

The beauty of Weir’s novel is in the details, the subtle challenges between the stepsisters when the faith of a kingdom is at stake, Elizabeth ever on guard against those at court who would bring her into their schemes and periodic rebellions. But danger comes in many forms, some in the guise of friendship.

Certainly, at fifteen, the beleaguered young woman can be forgiven her flirtation with a worldly and devastatingly handsome Thomas Seymour, husband of Henry’s last queen, Elizabeth’s benefactress, Katherine Parr. Having never known affection without ulterior motivation, Elizabeth’s romantic naiveté yields a harsh lesson, the treacherous consequences of youthful passion, presaging her later decisions as the Virgin Queen, ruling alone.

Alison Weir has crafted an intriguing protagonist, her destiny writ long before she ascends the throne after her unhappy sister’s death. Her world littered with plots and temptations, Elizabeth instinctively steps through a minefield of the ambitions of others, proving her strength in the most dire of circumstances, a born ruler long before she steps up to the throne of England.

One of my most favorite sections in the book is when Alison Weir writes a 'fictionalized' version of a young princess Elizabeth visiting Hever Castle, the childhood home of her mother, Anne Boleyn, upon the request of her father's then fourth wife, the short reigning Anne of Cleves, whom the author calls 'Anna'.
Kat the governess is featured in this section as well. Princess Elizabeth sleeps in her mom's bedroom, in her mom's then bed and has a ghostly visit from a mysterious woman. Here is the text taken from 'The Lady Elizabeth' by Alison Weir:

"Elizabeth was lying in her mother's bed. The curtains had been drawn, and the candle blown out. The room was dark, but in the dimness she could make out the shapes of the chairs, the prayer desk, and the clothes chest that lined the walls; and there, ona peg, hung her cream gown, brushered ready for the morning. In the distance, the hoot of an owl broke the silence.
The child could not sleep. The unfamiliar room, the strange house, the exciting discoveries and revelations of the day--all had unsettled her, and no matter how tightly she shut her eyes, or mentally recited her prayers, it was an age before she finally drifted off, and then she slept fitfully, or so it seemed.
She wasn't sure what awoke her. Probably the cold, for she came to her senses shivering. Then she became aware that she was not alone. The was a dark shape standing at the end of her bed.
"Kat?" she whispered. But the figure did not answer or move. Its face was in shadow, indeed, the whole of its body was shrouded in the gloom, but it looked like a woman, and she felt, with the first stirrings of unease, that it was watching her. A pang of alarm gripped her.
"Kat?" she spoke the name more insistently now, huddling the bedclothes around her, peering over the sheet with frightened eyes. The dark figure was still there, but it was too slender to be Kat, Elizabeth realized. She was beginning to wonder if it was a trick of the darkness or the shadow cast by a piece of furniture or the bed itself, when suddenly it held out its arms toward her. In that poignant gesture, there was supplication, yearning, and something else, something that was not frightening at all, but suprisingly comforting.
Astonished, Elizabeth rubbed the sleep from her eyes. When she opened them again, the shape had gone. The room was empty. Her heart was pounding fearfully. Had she dreamed it? Or had it really been there Of course it had, she had felt the cold, had woken up noticing the cold before she noticed the figure. It was strange, but she was no longer cold. The room was now temperate: it was August, after all. Elizabeth lay there wondering.
"Mother?" she whispered, trying out the sweet unfamiliar word on her tongue. The irristable conclusion, the only one she wanted to believe, was that Anne Boleyn's shade had come to her. But there was no answer".


Interview with Alison Weir regarding The Lady Elizabeth:
In choosing to focus on the early years of Elizabeth’s life in The Lady Elizabeth, have you found fertile ground that explains the complicated queen who has so fascinated historians?

Alison Weir: Yes, this is obviously the period that shaped Elizabeth, and which holds the most clues to her emotional development and her future greatness.

The young Elizabeth is exceptionally intelligent and precocious. How did those qualities attract your attention as you researched this extraordinary woman’s life?

I was constantly astonished at her mental dexterity and formidable intelligence. A lot of people find it hard to credit that she was so precocious at a young age, but I can assure you that the evidence for it exists.

Daughter of Henry VIII and the beheaded Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth cuts her teeth on power. In the early years, when Henry is still alive and when Edward becomes king, how would you describe Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship? Do their differences become more obvious as each comes closer to her destiny?

Prevented by her bastardy and her father’s political machinations from marrying and having children, Mary lavishes her frustrated maternal instincts on her much-younger sister, of whom she is very fond. But as Elizabeth leaves childhood behind and begins to display the flirtatious characteristics of her mother, Anne Boleyn, and embraces the Protestant faith, Mary becomes more wary of her. Any friendship between these daughters of Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, who are divided by the crucial issue of faith, is inevitably doomed.

From childhood, Elizabeth is defiant about marriage. What is the source of this instinctive resistance? Does an ever-changing procession of stepmothers influence the child?

No one knows for certain what the source of her reluctance was. There were probably a number of factors. An awareness of her mother’s fate, Katherine Howard’s execution, the divorces and matrimonial controversies within her own family, the deaths of two stepmothers in childbed, and her sister Mary I’s disastrous union with Philip of Spain all probably contributed.

Knowing little of her mother, Elizabeth is deeply attached to Henry VIII, her sister Mary and brother, Edward. How does a need for motherly affection draw Elizabeth to Kat, her governess, and the newly-widowed Queen Katherine Parr, Henry’s sixth wife?

In my novel, Elizabeth is drawn to Kat despite herself, for she initially resents Kat as an interloper after the withdrawal of her first governess, Lady Bryan, who has been more of a mother to her than Anne Boleyn ever was. But she is drawn to Kat not so much for Kat’s maternal qualities as for her sense of fun and her warm and garrulous nature.

Secure in Katherine’s household, Elizabeth experiences the first real passion of her young life for Thomas Seymour, an attachment fraught with danger and betrayal. Does Katherine’s husband, the handsome Seymour, truly care for the young girl and does she love him as she believes? Who is guiltier for Elizabeth’s flirtatious relationship with Seymour, Kat, the enabling governess, or the devious Seymour?

You’ll have to read the book and decide for yourself if Seymour truly cares for Elizabeth, and if what she feels for him is love! I would say that Seymour himself bears the chief responsibility for his relationship with Elizabeth, but that Kat is to a lesser degree to blame by encouraging it in its later stages.

When Seymour pursues Elizabeth after Katherine’s death in childbirth, the queen-to-be finds herself at the center of controversy. How do the intentions of men such as Seymour, and others who later fancy her as wife, cause dangerous complications for Elizabeth during her brother’s reign and that of the Catholic Mary?

Elizabeth is heir to the throne after Edward and Mary, and by law she must obtain the Council’s consent before she marries, as must any man wishing to marry her. It would be high treason for her to marry without that consent, and punishable by death. As for seduction… It can’t get more dangerous than that!

Religious dissent plagues England after Henry’s death. How do differing religious factions bring disharmony to the country with each new reign? Is not religion at the core of every attempt to overthrow one monarch for another?

Religious factions dominated court politics in the latter years of Henry VIII’s reign, after he had broken with Rome and declared himself Head of the Church of England. Henry’s church was Catholic. He burned Protestants for heresy and Catholics for allegiance to the Pope. When Edward VI succeeded him in 1547, the country became officially Protestant, and it was in an attempt to keep it that way that Edward’s advisers set up Lady Jane Grey as queen on Edward’s death in 1553. But Mary, the rightful heir, triumphed, and under her England reverted officially to Roman Catholicism. Mary alienated her subjects by burning three hundred Protestant martyrs, so there was general rejoicing when Elizabeth came to the throne in 1558 and established the Protestant Anglican Church.

It seemed to me that Elizabeth’s sojourn at Queen Katherine’s and the nearly disastrous relationship with Thomas Seymour is a seminal point in Elizabeth’s development, balancing ambition with her heart’s impulses. How significant is this period in determining the course of Elizabeth’s life? How does Seymour’s death affect Elizabeth?

I should have said that the Seymour episode contributed crucially to Elizabeth's resolve never to marry. It’s intriguing to find that most of the men with whom she became involved later were dark and dashing, even a little dangerous, like Seymour. She kept a tight rein on her emotions on hearing of his death, so we have no way of knowing how deeply it affected her.

The bookish, fanatically reformist, young Lady Jane Grey is a victim of the same overreaching ambitions of others that plagues Elizabeth. But Jane eventually loses her head. What does this vile act through Mary’s orders tell Elizabeth about the precariousness of her own situation?

Elizabeth now has every reason to believe that she will meet the same fate. And Mary's decision to execute Jane was not so much as vile but rather forced by her advisers. In a way, she was as much a victim of circumstances as Jane was.

How significant is William Cecil in Elizabeth’s life? How does he serve her cause even before she is crowned?

He was to be her chief counsellor and political adviser for over thirty years. Prior to her accession, he worked covertly for her benefit, much as he is shown doing in the novel. She was always to value his wise advice.

Over the years, Elizabeth establishes a tentative peace with Mary. Yet religion always interferes with the fragile peace they maintain. How do Mary’s fears about Elizabeth, fueled by her advisors and Philip of Spain, continually put Elizabeth in danger of being sent to the Tower or worse?

Mary is so suspicious of Elizabeth's motives, and so determined that her sister will not succeed her and turn England Protestant that she is always ready to believe the worst of her. And with her advisers dripping vitriol in her ear, Elizabeth's fate is constantly hanging in the balance.

The considerable tension between Henry’s daughters is based on more than religious differences. What are the other issues that plague Mary and Elizabeth? Is each daughter not remarkably like her mother, Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, respectively?

Yes, the daughters are very like their mothers, and the knowledge that Anne Boleyn broke up Mary's mother’s marriage and was a vicious enemy to Katherine and Mary lies between Mary and Elizabeth like a dividing sword. Mary also fears that Elizabeth is not her father’s child, but the bastard of one of Anne Boleyn’s alleged lovers. And Mary is jealous of Elizabeth because she is so much younger and attractive to men.

After the interminable investigation about Thomas Seymour and Mary’s constant fears of plots fomented by her sister, Kat is removed from Elizabeth’s household; Elizabeth seems to be more frequently plagued by various ailments and debilitating headaches. Does this pattern of illness continue throughout her life?

No, it was chiefly evident in her early years, exacerbated no doubt by the insecurities in her life; it is likely too that some of these ailments were purely diplomatic!

Queen Mary: “You are my heir and it is unthinkable that my heir should be of the reformed faith.” How does this statement define Mary’s unwillingness to pass the crown to Elizabeth after her death? What must Elizabeth do to convince her sister?

Mary craves Elizabeth's undertaking that she will maintain the Catholic religion in England, but Elizabeth is prepared only to go so far as to swear to uphold the true faith. Mary is aware that she is being deliberately ambiguous, but she knows too that Elizabeth will concede nothing further. The tide is turning and England is looking to its rising star.

The fanaticism of the Inquisition is visited on Spain; was it also imported to England through Philip of Spain? What does Mary’s marriage to Philip and the Inquisition portend for those in England who embrace the reformed faith?

The Inquisition was never introduced into England, although there were fears that it would be as a result of Mary's marriage to Philip. It was Mary, not Philip, who revived the heresy laws, and Mary who drove the persecution. Knowing that he was blamed for the burnings, Philip did his best to stop them. Many people were concerned that this marriage would turn England into a mere satellite of Spain. When Mary lost Calais after becoming embroiled in Philip’s war, it became clear just how disastrous this marriage had been for England.

Philip of Spain, Mary’s husband, sets his sights on a potential marriage with Elizabeth after his wife’s demise. How do such betrayals serve to undermine the relationship between the sisters? In the end, are they not equally alone in their dreams and their fears?

Mary fears almost from the first that Philip will be attracted to Elizabeth, not only as a woman, but as a future queen, and that does nothing to improve relations between the sisters. Mary certainly ended up very much alone, her dreams in ruins. Elizabeth's isolation ended with Mary's death, and her dreams were shared by many of her new subjects.

In The Lady Elizabeth, you discuss a very controversial episode in Elizabeth’s past, one that has been the source of much speculation over the years. Without giving anything away, can you tell us how you feel about this topic, as an historian as well as a novelist?

I’ve made a decision not to discuss this aspect – I want people to read the book! What I will say is that I have written a detailed Author’s Note (which is at the end of the book), supporting what I have written. As a historian, I would not be going down this path!

In your role as novelist, what was the most challenging aspect of writing The Lady Elizabeth? The most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect was writing the controversial passages and wondering if they would sound credible. The most rewarding aspect, of course, was getting to know Elizabeth herself all over again, with the luxury of imagining what it would be like to be her.

Will you follow up this novel with more about the magnificent Elizabeth? Will that be the topic of your next novel? If not, can you give us an idea of what your new novel will be about?

I am at present discussing subjects for further novels with my publishers. I cannot say any more than that at present!

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for stopping by. Please feel free to leave any coments or questions!

The Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace

The video above tells the many ghost stories of Queens of England and servants who still to this day haunt their palace, Hampton Court Palace in Surrey, England!
Take a brief tour of this magnificent palace, walk down the long gallery, still haunted by the ghost of fifth wife to Henry VIII, Katherine Howard whom Henry killed for infidelity isn't that sweet! Apparitions, moans, footsteps still prevade the dank halls and paneled rooms of this palace. Come take a look inside if you dare!

Thank you for visiting, let me know if you've been to Hampton Court and what your impressions were of this most beautiful palace.

A Christmas Chapter from my upcoming novel!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!
ADDED BELOW IN ROUGH DRAFT FORMAT, IS A CHRISTMAS CHAPTER FROM MY UPCOMING NOVEL.
THE PREMISE IS SIMON AND MARGARET ARE INVITED TO A TUDOR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT HATFIELD HOUSE WHERE MARGARET HAS AN INTERESTING VISION/PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE WHILE SIMON FENDS OFF ONE OF MARGARET'S DRUNKEN CO-WORKER'S BY THE NAME OF HUGH~

Here is the premise of the novel for anyone who has forgotten!
Margaret owns an auction house specializing in art and jewelry. Margaret has dreams and visions of Tudor kings and queens. Why is this happening? Do you believe in past lives? Do you believe we are all connected beyond death? If you enjoy reading historical fiction that takes you between present day Kent, England, and Sixteenth Century British History of the Tudor Family then strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Margaret is plagued by haunting dreams and visions bringing Tudor kings and queens to life before her very eyes. What she discovers is that her past has been trying to speak to her for most of her life. She must put the pieces of this mystery together with the help of her detective inspector husband and colleagues before it's too late.

Christmas Chapter
You Are Cordially Invited

“Simon, Simon, love, where are you?” Margaret called for her husband walking around their house excitedly waving a white embossed envelope in one hand; walking hurriedly now until she heard “Here, Maggie, what is so urgent?” Simon walked out of the small doorway tucked in a turret underneath their stairs holding a flashlight in one hand and sweating profusely as he tried desperately to fan himself to no avail.
“Simon, what are you doing there?” Margaret asked.
“I’m trying to fix the electrics and restore the power again so we can go about our business as usual. You know how much I hate when we lose power and we’re plunged into darkness again” Simon said exasperated.
“Oh, I don’t know, I think it’s romantic. I mean we could find something to do, couldn’t we? It’s actually fitting for what I have to tell you” Margaret stood smiling at him, cupping the envelope as if it were made of glass.
Simon studying his gorgeous wife finally asks, “Alright my love, what are you dying to show me. Come on, tell me before you burst”.
Margaret gives the envelope to her husband who flashes the torch upon it, reading it and smiling at his wife, standing there simply waiting for her to continue.
“Simon, well, what do you think? Oh, doesn’t it just sound wonderful? A party, a Christmas party at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. Now, I know parties bore you but think about all the fun we could have, love. Just walking through Hatfield, privately, down all the long corridor galleries, the library, the bedrooms. I hear there’s even a bowling alley they used to call ‘pins’. Did you know that Hatfield House was the first residence Anne took Elizabeth to stay in when she was a toddler for those brief three months before that horrible end? Simon, I have to go to this party, it’s not even fancy dress so you have no excuses” Margaret spoke so quickly, almost nervous rambling, that he adored so much about her because she looked almost childlike and full of pure bliss. He watched her black eyes come alive and glint with glee, her smile broad across her almost heart shaped face. She was doing everything except jumping up and down.
Simon walked over to Margaret, torch in hand, lowering it so the light shone across her face, softly cupping the sides of her cheeks, smiling saying, “Well, my Maggie, when you put it that way, how can I say no. Of course we can go. It will be another one of our adventures” she hugged him tightly, kissing him on the lips as she turned and ran upstairs to make some phone calls and he turned around walking back into the turret room below the stairs, trying once again to restore light to the darkness.
Margaret tried everything in her power to concentrate on work matters but she couldn’t stop thinking about the upcoming Christmas party at Hatfield House. How was it that she had never been there before? Surely, her studies and research even work meetings would have taken her there by now? Apparently not! She finished the third report that was due by the end of the work day, she took care of a few conference calls, updated her appointment schedule with Jack her trusty assistant, even managed to brief the new Acquisitions Manager, Gail Marlowe, that started this week.
Good old Hugh tapped on Margaret’s open office door, peering in saying, “Margaret, do you have a minute? I just have a question for you” looking up with a half-smile, Margaret waved him in and he took a seat in front of her desk as always.
“Hugh, what can I do for you? You’re here rather late; I thought you’d be out getting a bite to eat with Reginald. Don’t the two of you have some planning to do?” Margaret thumbed through the blue folder on her desk, the last one before she can head home, she thought to herself.
“Margaret, I don’t mean to bother you; I know you want to get home. I was just wondering if I can have Christmas Day off. I know its last minute but” Simon was interrupted by Margaret who, looking confused, said, “Hugh is everything alright? I only ask because as you know, Maximilian’s is closed for Christmas, is it Annabelle?” Margaret wondered.
Surprised and taken aback, Hugh cleared his throat, sat up straight, adjusting his navy blue silk tie that matched his suit perfectly, answering with a, “No, Margaret, that’s not it. I only meant that there’s a Christmas party at Hatfield House and I would really like to attend. I’ve never been there and you know the history is just captivating. Oh, and Reginald will be my guest. I have to take him or I’ll never hear the end of it” Margaret leaned forward on her desk in response said, “Oh, Simon and I will be at the party as well, so don’t worry about time off, it doesn’t affect your attendance record in any way. So make sure you tell Reginald as well and if there’s nothing else on your mind I really should be getting back to this file” Hugh, left Margaret’s office as she closed the file putting it back in the cabinet and locking her office door. She walked two halls down until she reached Carol’s office, popping her head in, asking, “Hi Carol, I see you’re almost done for the night too. Do you fancy a pint over at EastEnders Pub then?” Margaret waited for Carole’s answer. Almost without hesitation, Carole smiled and nodded, grabbed her bag and coat and they headed down the road to their local pub for some drinks and a girlie chat.
Simon was working another late shift as usual and she just wasn’t in the mood to go home because she knew it would be too quiet without him. Carole and Margaret caught up on all the gossip comparing naughty notes about their husband’s prowess in bed, how they met etc.
The night grew dark sooner than Margaret anticipated and as they walked arm and arm down Wellington Road, they giggled, swaying in their heels complaining about their aching feet before Carole waved a black cab down, sharing it home.
Simon crept softly up the stairs carefully holding a silver tray complete with breakfast for two.
He sat up on his side of the bed, leaning over Margaret whispering, “Merry Christmas Sweetheart” softly kissing her cheek and placing a cup of strong coffee near her nostrils.
Smiling, turning onto her back, reaching both arms above her head, she stretched her body lingering under the soft white duvet, finally gazing up at Simon who sat there tray full of food and hot coffee with a wink and a coy look on his face, watching his Maggie, waiting for her reply. Sitting up in bed, joining her husband, she took a sip of coffee and a big bite of treacle tart swallowing the delicious mouthful of cream and strawberries, before leaning in and passionately kissing her husband good morning, “Merry Christmas my gorgeous husband. Did you do all this just for me? You sweet, sexy man” Margaret ate up every bit of her treacle tart drinking her coffee as they discussed their plans for the day before preparing for that evening’s Christmas party.
Simon dressed in black tuxedo looking sharp but a bit impatient as he paced their hallway looking at his wristwatch every few minutes.
“Maggie, please hurry up, we really need to get on the road if we’re going to make it to the party on time. Unless you’d prefer to make a grand entrance instead” Simon shuffled his black leathered clad feet while Margaret descended the staircase whistling a happy tune.
As Simon turned towards the staircase and lifted his head upwards the vision approaching him took his breath away. Passing him in the corridor Margaret softly closed her husband’s gaping mouth just long enough to grab their coats from the closet.
“Well, are you coming Simon or what?” Margaret asked giggling, looking into the silver mirror on the adjacent wall, adjusting her hair and checking her make-up while Simon put on his wife’s coat and his own on as she walked towards the car and he locked up.
“I don’t know how you do it sweetheart. Every time we get dressed up to go to some do, and I think I’ve seen the best of you, you manage to surprise me. You look absolutely gorgeous in that red dress, simply ravishing” Simon replied speeding down the motorway heading to Hatfield House.
“Oh, Simon you look so handsome and I’ve never seen your blue eyes sparkle so. I am so excited to get to Hatfield. The history of this house is incredible. Did you know this is one of the main Tudor houses to still exist? Besides the fact that it is where Elizabeth spent her childhood and teen years as a princess. Oh and even Anne visited her and cared for her as an infant. I could do without the crowd of people; I just want to look around the house, Oh Simon drive faster!” Margaret explained as she squeezed his left arm tightly and he squeezed her right thigh.
“So tell me Mrs. Peterborough, Do you think there’ll be any ghostly visitors this evening or will I get to have my wife to myself this evening?” Simon replied.
“You know I can’t guarantee anything. Besides, I won’t know until I walk around and get a feeling for the different rooms. I’m sorry love, but I hope so! It will help me get answers to my many questions” Margaret understood Simon’s feeling’s while staring at him lovingly she brushed his straight blonde hair back off his face as her stomach nervously churned.
“Yes, Maggie I know maybe I’d better follow you around this evening, just in case you need me” Simon replied looking at Margaret but before she could answer they pulled in front of Hatfield House and were guided to a side road which served as a make shift car park.
Simon handed their invitation to the main greeter who waved them in to the long corridor. The house was awash with people, voices emanated from every room, while elegantly dressed couples mingled, champagne popped, glasses clinked, toasts were made, hands were shaken, hugs were given at the same time classical music could be overheard loudly reverberating off of the many oak lined and marble embossed walls.
Simon and Margaret mingled and networked like they never had before until Simon burst out laughing and Margaret heard a very familiar voice of someone who was not supposed to be there.
“Oi Margaret, fancy meeting you here? Merry Christmas little girl, come and sit on my lap” Hugh Fitscairn said drunkenly to Margaret dressed top to bottom in a father Christmas outfit while Reginald dressed handsomely in a black tuxedo followed behind smiling and drinking champagne. Simon got a hold of himself and his wife, standing next to her protectively placing his arm around her waist and glaring at Hugh. Before he could say anything Margaret looked at Hugh saying, “Hugh, what in the world happened to you and why are you dressed like Father Christmas?” Stop flirting with me you’re drunk. Hello Reginald don’t you look handsome. Hugh, you remember my husband Simon?”
“Hello mate, how are you? Don’t you hate those penguin suits you have to wear, too bloody uncomfortable, I thought this would get a few laughs” Hugh said rather unconvincingly.
Simon shook his head, Margaret covered her mouth with her napkin laughing and Reginald said, “He lost another bet, didn’t he? He had no choice”. Hugh didn’t even hear Reginald, Margaret smiled back at Reginald with a wink, looked at Simon and said, “I’m going to go walk around for a bit and try to find a quiet nook somewhere”.
“Alright love. I think I’ll stay and follow Hugh around make sure he doesn’t do anything he’s not supposed to. Give me a chance to get to know Reginald better” Simon explained.
Hugh didn’t bother Margaret for a minute she just couldn’t wait to walk around the rooms hoping to find some of Elizabeth’s belongings housed under glass somewhere. She walked in and out of a few rooms beautifully decorated but not very interesting beyond the paintings on the walls and the glass covered bookshelves looking rather out of place amongst all the cherry stained wood and mahogany floorboards. Hatfield House had gone quiet finally as Margaret heard a loud female voice coming from upstairs. She bounded the grand staircase turning right walking down the checkerboard tiled floor following the voice into a bedroom rather small without windows. In the right corner of the room was an oval archway, inside the room was a wooden baby cradle, a small simple bed with plain white coverlet, a stand of several candles giving off the only dim light in this gray stone room. Margaret’s head began to throb she grew very dizzy her heart raced when she saw the figure of a tall brunette, long dark hair tied back tightly, dressed in a dark brown dress holding a screaming red headed baby. The woman did not notice Margaret at all, as if she couldn’t see her but she rocked this child in her arms as she paced in circles around the tiny room saying, “Come on my Lizzy mummy’s here, shhh Lizzy all is well” but the child would not quiet until the tall brunette began softly singing to the baby girl named Lizzy. Margaret stood still in amazement while this vision enveloped her and Margaret knew it was Anne Boleyn she was witnessing cradling her daughter Elizabeth.
As the baby quieted Anne walked through the oval archway and there was a loud tapping at the door. Anne ran to open the door instantly chastising and telling the man to quietly enter.
“Matthew I just got Elizabeth to sleep God speed she sleeps for a few hours and gives me some respite. Now, softly tell me did you take care of what I have asked of you? Yes, your majesty, I have the ring here. I believe it is as you described of me. Give it to me then, let me see it.
Anne held out her hand as Matthew placed a gold ring displaying a letter E with red rubies surrounding it. Open it your majesty. Anne opened the ring displaying two faces. Is it to your liking your majesty? Anne closed the jeweled ring softly kissing the E on the top before placing it into Matthew’s hand again. Now Matthew, you have followed my instructions to the letter. This ring will belong to my precious Elizabeth. Remember Matthew my specific directions what are they, tell me now so that I know you remember to follow through.
Yes, my lady, you have instructed me upon the accession to the throne of your daughter Princess Elizabeth, I am to give her this ring that you had made for her and explain that it is a locket ring with portraits of she and you, Queen Anne Boleyn and she is to wear it and never remove it because it holds the love she has for her precious daughter Elizabeth.
Anne listened intently to every word escaping Matthew Parker’s lips before replying, yes, perfect Matthew. Now don’t look so surprised, mark my words my dear loyal chaplain Matthew, that my daughter Elizabeth will reign as Queen of England longer than any in history and she will be well remembered for all time not as the whore’s bastard daughter but as sovereign of England. Now go Matthew and here take this small token of my appreciation I only wish it could be more to help the church. Anne handed a small bag of coins and baby Lizzy cried loudly.
“There you are Margaret; I have been looking all over for you. How in the world did you find this room? What happened, Maggie?” Simon bringing Margaret out of her vision and back to present again, turned to face him, wiping her tear stained face with her white gloved covered hand. Simon hugged her tightly knowing and understanding what had just occurred. Removing his tuxedo jacked he covered her arms with it and walked her out of the room and into the hallway.
“Darling, why don’t we go home and you can tell me all about it on the way” Simon kissed his wife gently wiping her tears away with a Kleenex and brushing her hair back out of her face.
“Yes, Simon, let’s go home! Oh, where’s Hugh is he alright?” As they left Hatfield House and walked to their car Simon answered his wife saying only, “Yes, Hugh’s fine he’s face down in the punch bowl and Reginald left hours ago. Did you know Reginald played rugby? I had no idea!”

A Look Back At 2009

Since 2009 is almost over, I wanted to share a list or an overview of my writing memories. I am usually the first one who cannot wait to be rid of the present year and begin a new year afresh. However, since beginning my blog and writing my first novel last year -- thank goodness for inspirational ideas and following through with them as well as the support of fabulous friends, I can say wholeheartedly that 2009 was one of the most ENJOYABLE YEARS OF MY LIFE!!! So, put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY BLOG FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MY WORK, FOR YOUR LOVE OF ALL THINGS TUDOR DYNASTY, FOR SHARING SIMILAR INTERESTS, BASICALLY FOR BECOMING WONDERFUL FRIENDS. I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW AMAZING WRITERS, AUTHORS, AND WOMEN FROM ALL ACROSS THIS GREAT BIG WORLD!!

A Christmas celebration clip from The Tudors on Showtime of course!
The Tudors Depicted are as follows: Margaret Pole--Lady Salisbury, Jane Seymour, Henry VIII & Mary Tudor with Elizabeth I as a child!


My Writing Blessings & Accomplishments of 2009

March 2009 I attended an exhibit at The Grolier Club entitled, 'Vivat Rex' commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Henry VIII's Accession to the Throne.

April 2009 I attended The Donmar Warehouse's production of Mary Stuart on Broadway based on Queen Mary of Scots and Elzabeth I starring Harriet Walters and Janet McTeer.

May 2009 I entered my first writing competition on The Anne Boleyn Files site, came in sixth out of eigth place, and wrote my first article on Why Anne Boleyn is most remembered today.

June 2009 I won my first blogger award given to me by The Anne Boleyn Files, called the Kreativ Blogger Award and is proudly depicted here.

September 2009 ushered in three crucial events:
1) I won my first writing competition on the Everything Tudor blog with the same article on Anne Boleyn.
2) I entered a second writing competition once again on The Anne Boleyn Files where I answered the question of what was the legacy of Elizabeth I or what should she be remembered for? I came in fourth place out of seventh. My article was entitled, 'The Legacy of Elizabeth I' captioned under the heading, 'The Many Faces of Elizabeth I'.
3) Attending and meeting one of my greatest historical fiction inspirations Philippa Gregory at Barnes and Noble during her book tour for 'The White Queen'. We had a brief but wonderful conversation for which I shall never forget!

October 2009 I saw The Donmar Production of Hamlet on Broadway starring Jude Law.
Met him afterwards, brief conversation and he signed my playbill.

Well, that about sums it up for my year 2009! Who knows if there are any more surprises awaiting me but one thing I know for sure, 2010 will be fantastic!!

Please feel free to comment with any questions or observations! I always love when you stop by!

David Starkey Lectures on The British Monarchy

This video is one of historian David Starkey lecturing from 2005 in America regarding The British Monarchy. The lecture is 50 minutes in length but fascinating, humorous and in Starkey Style! He covers The British Monarchy from the Anglo-Saxons to the House of Windsor, comparing the roles of American Government with that of British Myths, Literature, and Parliamentary debates.
Specifically,more than the biographies of the kings and queens of England, this lecture is an in depth examination of what the English monarchy has meant, in terms of the expression of the individual, the Mother of Parliaments, Magna Carta, the laws of England and the land of England. The importance of the rich heritage of the Anglo Saxon kings is featured but it does not stop there. This is the history of ideas and ideals, as well as colourful characters.

This will probably bore you to tears but maybe I should give you the benefit of the doubt. Being an avid David Starkey fan myself, watching this lecture made me long for my university lecture days myself! Enjoy!!

Prove me wrong, leave me a comment with your reactions: the good, the bad, the ugly and the indifferent!

A Review of Elizabeth's Women The Hidden Story of The Virgin Queen by Tracy Borman

'Elizabeth's Women' is my introduction to author Tracy Borman. She has studied and taught history at the University of Hull where she was awarded a PhD in history.
Her writing style is studious, descriptive, and thorough in nature. Her love of history and affection towards the mother daughter relationship of Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth is palpable with the turn of every page. For example, Chapter 2 opens with
the telling of how Anne could not bear to be separated from her newborn daughter so much so that upon returning to court Anne gently placed the newborn on a velvet cushion next to her throne under what's called 'the canopy of estate'. This was highly unusual and defied convention since the custom was for the infant to be kept in the royal nursery. Moreover, as the custom dictated, Henry VIII, King of England had three month old Elizabeth relocated to Hatfield Estate twenty miles outside of London to be raised by wetnurses, governess, a full royal staff. The separation devastated Anne but she made sure that her daughter's royal staff consisted of relatives from her side of the family, The Boleyn's in hopes that Elizabeth would always be reminded of her mother's side of the family as well as the ruling Tudor Dynasty.

Reading this novel was a completely refreshing experience because the novel opens with such tender and realistic descriptions of a mother and a daughter not simply the doomed Anne Boleyn and the orphaned, bastard Elizabeth I.
When it came time to read this novel, I approached it with an open mind but much reservation hoping I would not find another chronological, fact driven, historical documented quoted novel. I can say I have not found that to be the case with 'Elizabeth's Women The Hidden Story of The Virgin Queen'.

The title makes reference to the women that surrounded the life and rule of Elizabeth I from her mother Queen Anne Boleyn to Catherine 'Kat' Ashley Elizabeth's governess to Blanche Parry to her sister Mary Tudor and her cousin Mary Queen of Scots to name but a few.

What Tracy Borman does rather successfully is humanize the woman Elizabeth Tudor through exploration into her childhood by painstakingly providing the rare documented day to day life of the women who comprised Elizabeth I's privy chamber.
These were the women who not only were related to Elizabeth's mother, whom she never forgot, but who provided safety and much needed security for Elizabeth during her reign and life as Queen of England.

I have found a new favorite historian and author who has the guts to humanize one of the most misunderstood royal women of all time. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in looking behind, underneath, and inside a woman, not just a queen depicted in a royal painting hanging for centuries in a London museum.

I would like to close this review with a few stories that I found fascinating.
1) The story of the coronation of Elizabeth I is well known amongst history lovers I'm sure. However, I never realized that Elizabeth I insisted that every aspect of her mother Anne Boleyn's coronation be copied from the dress to the scepter she held to the falcon emblem representing the Boleyn's even the style of Elizabeth's hair being worn long and down her back. Elizabeth I studied and read the documentation concerning her mother's life. She was always involved and aware of keeping her mother's memory alive within her by maintaining symbolizism since Elizabeth I did not tolerate hearing or speaking about her mother amongst her privy council.

2) In the year of Elizabeth I's death, 1603, at the age of seventy years old, as her health was quickly diminishing, it was reported by her ladies of the bedchamber that she was seeing visions of flames around her and one lady of the bedchamber told the story of how she left the room while Elizabeth I was on her death bed and upon her return encountered a woman bending over Elizabeth's bed that vanished as the lady got closer to her.

Please feel free to ask a question or leave a comment. Thanks for visiting!