The Boleyn Cup

Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII. They married in secret on the 25th January 1533 at Whitehall Palace, after what had seemed a long and passionate (and somewhat drawn out) love affair. According to Edward Hall, the chronicler they had already married in secret previously on the 14th November 1532.

Anne Boleyn, Unknown Artist, NPG, 1533-1536

It is clear that Henry was besotted by her and this can be seen in some of the 17 surviving love letters that he sent to Anne. It is clear to see just how infatuated Henry was from the below letter written in his own hand (we know Henry was not a great fan of writing, and found it tedious) to her on the 21st July 1528:

"The approach of the time which has been delayed so long delights me so much that it seems almost already come. Nevertheless, the entire accomplishment cannot be till the two persons meet; which meeting is more desired on my part than anything in the world, for what joy can be so great as to have the company of her who is my most dear friend, knowing likewise that she does the same. Judge then what will that personage do whose absence has given me the greatest pain in my heart, which neither tongue nor writing can express, and nothing but that can remedy. Tell your father on my part that I beg him to abridge by two days the time appointed that he may be in court before the old term, or at least upon the day prefixed; otherwise I shall think he will not do the lover's turn as he said he would, nor answer my expectation. No more, for want of time. I hope soon to tell you by mouth the rest of the pains I have suffered in your absence. Written by the hand of the secretary, who hopes to be privately with you, &c."

We do not know if Anne was in love with Henry during their initial courtship or whether she was pushed forwards by her family for their advancement as some people have proposed etc. We do know that she managed to prolong his infatuation with her by stating that she would not become his mistress, only his wife and queen. It is believed that Anne took this approach as she had seen her sister Mary Boleyn become a mistress to both King Francis I of France and Henry VIII himself, with them both later discarding her. Also her upbringing in the Burgundian and French Courts under Margaret of Austria and Queen Claude of France provided her with a first hand account of how one's life could be destroyed by becoming a royal mistress.

Mary Boleyn

We know that the couple were fond of giving each other presents (especially on Henry's part). Even when they were married the King still gave Anne gifts, and vice versa. These gifts could be full of symbolism or contain heraldic arms or crests.

We know that a silver and gilt cup was made for Anne Boleyn in 1535 (a year before her execution on the 19th May 1536 at the Tower of London) with her crest on, what we do not is know who gave it to her (if anyone did), or if Henry had it made for her as a gift etc. I however personally believe it was a gift/love-token from Henry.

We do know that the cup survived Anne's legacy (nearly all traces of her existence were erased) and was passed onto her daughter the young princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I, queen of England), who in turn later gave it to her physician Richard Master when she was queen. It has always seemed somewhat alien to me that she would have done that, given the fact she kept the Chequers ring that experts think contains her mothers portrait - perhaps it was because she couldn't conceal this connection, and thought it best not to promote it? Who knows. Richard Master, then gave it to St John the Baptist's Parish Church in Cirencester, Gloucestershire where it has resided ever since.

A wall safe (with seven different locks) was provided for the cup (known as the Boleyn cup, because of it's connection with Anne Boleyn, and the fact it displays her crest) in 1968 where it was then put on permanent display to the public. It is said that when our current queen Elizabeth II visited the parish church, she exclaimed that she had the other cup at Windsor Castle. It seems Henry VIII had one made for himself too.

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image 

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image 

Boleyn Cup, Authors Image

I am fortunate that the Boleyn cup resides in my local parish church, and that I can visit it whenever I like. I implore you to visit the church and the see the cup for yourself if you can. It is so beautiful, and intricate. If you are not able to do so, please enjoy the pictures.

Source

• https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-treasures-uncovered/ [accessed 20th September 2017]
• https://kateshrewsday.com/2013/02/06/the-other-boleyn-cup/ [accessed 20th September 2017]
• https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/25-january-1533-henry-viii-marries-anne-boleyn-whitehall/ [accessed 20th September 2017]
• http://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol4/pp1980-1987 [accessed 20th September 2017]
• Cirencester Parish Church Information Poster [accessed 20th September 2017]
• http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00142/Anne-Boleyn [accessed 20th September 2017]

The Tomb of Arthur Tudor, The Kings Brother

Henry VII had won the throne of England from Richard III through right of conquest at the Battle of Bosworth on the 22nd August 1485. He married Elizabeth of York the eldest daughter of Edward IV, King of England and his queen Elizabeth Woodville. Their union brought about the end of the Wars of the Roses as it unified the Houses of York and Lancaster. Henry and Elizabeth were keen to start a family as soon as possible as this only helped strengthen the families claim to the throne.

It wasn't long before their prayers were answered. Their first child Arthur was born on the 20th September 1486 in the Priory of Winchester Cathedral. He was soon joined in the Royal nursery by his younger brother Henry (the future Henry VIII) and two sisters, Margaret and Mary.

Prince Arthur, 16th Century, Private Collection

Arthur was invested as the Prince of Wales and was the heir apparent to the throne of England. He was the apple of his dad's eye (who spent a lot of his time in preparing Arthur on how to become an effective ruler). With four children surviving infancy (Arthur also had another sibling Edmund who died young, a sister called Elizabeth, and a sister called Katherine who died a few days after she was born), Henry VII set about planning on how best to marry each of them off to suit England's dynastic needs (England did not become a super power until Henry VIII's reign) and to help strengthen the Tudors claim and hold on the throne of England. Following discussions with Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile ,'The Catholic Kings' a marriage contract was drawn up between Arthur and their youngest daughter, the Infanta Catherine (Catalina) of Aragon.

Catherine of Aragon, 1520, NPG

Arthur and Catherine were married in a lavish ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral on the 14th November 1501. We know that Arthur was delighted with his new wife, but what we do not know is what exactly happened on their wedding night in regards to consummation (neither of them could have guessed that what did or did not happen on their wedding night would later be used as an argument in the divorce proceedings of Catherine and Arthur's younger brother Henry (later Henry VIII) many years later. We do know that Arthur had mentioned to some fellow courtiers the next morning that he had been in 'the midst of Spain', hinting that they had, had sexual intercourse the night before.

The newly wed couple soon moved to Ludlow Castle in England (which was close to the Welsh border), where Arthur was required to run his own court in miniature. This served as good practice for when Arthur was expected to become King of England following his father's death. But Arthur never outlived his father. Catherine and Arthur had contracted an unknown illness whilst at Ludlow (some believe it to be the sweating sickness) of which Arthur did not recover. He died on the 2nd April 1502. His parents were grief-stricken. Arthur's body was taken from Ludlow Castle to Worcester Cathedral, and following a funeral on the 25th April 1502 he was then entombed within a marble tomb displaying the royal arms.

Worcester Cathedral - Author's Image

An elaborate chantry was later erected over Arthur's marble tomb. You can see it in the video below. It was planned that the chantry would be painted in bright colours, but following Catherine's later marriage to Henry VIII this plan was soon abandoned as it seemed more political to him not to draw attention to a king that never was, and especially to one that had married his wife beforehand.

Details on the Chantry relating to Catherine and Arthur, Author's Image

I did not think I would be fortunate enough to view Arthur's tomb in the Chantry (I understand that it has been said his body actually lies a few feet away, but they aren't sure where), but I found the door to it open, and the Cathedral were allowing visitor's to look in.

Open door to the Chantry, Author's Image 

And here it is...

Arthur's Tomb, Author's Image

Detail from the arms on Arthur's tomb, Author's Image

If you are in the Worcester area and have time why not pay a visit to Arthur's tomb? I am still awe struck by just how beautiful it is.

Sources

1. http://www.npg.org.uk/research/conservation/henry-and-katherine-reunited-conserving-the-portrait-of-katherine-of-aragon

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur,_Prince_of_Wales#Marriage

3. http://piersperrotgaveston.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/arthur-tudor-prince-of-wales.html

All Hail Hailes Abbey...

The abbey of Hailes based near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire was originally founded in 1246 by Henry III of England's brother, Richard, Earl of Cornwall as a way of him giving thanks for his survival when at sea. It soon became home to a religious order, and housed Cistercian monks, otherwise known as 'white monks'. Cistercian monks lives were based on manual labour and self-sufficiency, with the monks at Hailes Abbey supporting themselves with the charitable donations made by Pilgrims who visited the site, but also through the produce from its vast estates. The abbey had an orchard, which supplied their fruit, and fishponds which supplied the fish for their tables.

Cistercian Monks, English Heritage

In 1270, the monks were provided with a small flask (or vial) made of a fine silver and crystal, which was said to contain the blood of Christ by Edmund, son of Richard, Earl of Cornwall. The relic proved to be highly popular with Pilgrims (attracting thousands to the site from across the country) and was known as the 'Blood of Hailes'. Due to it's popularity the monks built an entire shrine in which to house the relic, and the abbey grew quite profitable because of it.

The abbey and it's inhabitants lived in relative peace and tranquility up until the reign of Henry VIII of England, where it suffered at the hands of the 'Suppression of the Monasteries', otherwise known as the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' in 1538/1539.

Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein the Younger (1532-1533)

In 1535 the Valor Ecclesiasticus was drawn up, which provided a valuation of the wealth of the Church throughout both England and Wales, in which Hailes Abbey would have been listed as one of the more profitable religious houses. The King's commissioners (lead by Thomas Cromwell, Lord Privy Seal, Vicar General, and Vicegerent in Spirituals to Henry VIII) were also instructed to investigate into all of these monasteries searching for evidence of corruption or vice, as it was believed the churches were fooling people with false relics or statues etc. The 'Suppression of the Monasteries' soon followed in 1536, and continued up until 1540. During this time over 800 monasteries (which had been home to over 10,000 monks, nuns, friars and canons) were suppressed, with former monasteries being sold off to landowners, turned into churches, or left to ruin.

Henry VIII in the Valor Ecclesiasticus (1535)

In 1538, the vial (which couldn't have escaped the King's commissioners) said to contain Christ's blood was taken from Hailes Abbey to London, where judgement was passed that it was not Christ's blood at all, but clarified honey that had been coloured using Saffron. The abbey which had put up some resistance then had no choice but to surrender to the King's commissioners, doing so on Christmas Eve in 1539.

The abbey buildings were taken down and dispersed, with the exception of the buildings in the West range. These buildings became the Country home of the Tracey family from Toddington nearby. However, by the mid 18th Century this was all a ruin.

Hailes Abbey Ruins, Author

Hailes Abbey Ruins, Author

The site now belongs to English Heritage and is well worth a visit if you have a spare couple of hours. The museum houses some amazing Tudor finds from the abbey such as Tudor floor tiles, Tudor Spoons, and Tudor Stucco.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistercians
• http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/henryviii/passion/wealth.htm
• http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106122.html
• English Heritage, Hailes Abbey, Notice Boards.

The King's Hawking Hood and Gloves

It is well documented that the Tudors enjoyed the sport of Falconry, not only as a form of hunting (to help put food on their tables), but also as a pastime. The sport involved the hunting of small game in their natural habitat with the aid of a trained bird of prey (either some form of falcon or hawk). Henry VIII himself was extremely fond of Falconry in his later years. In the month of September 1533, Sir William Kingston, Constable of the Tower of London remarked that Henry 'hawks everyday with goshawks and other hawks... lanners, sparhawks, and merlins both afore noon and after'. With the help of his Chief Falconer, Robert Cheseman, Henry had different falcons and hawks dotted all over the country, so that wherever he visited he always had some form of falcon or hawk at his disposal.

Portrait of Robert Cheseman, 1533, Hans Holbein the Younger, Mauritshius

Not only did falconry show off his manly skills (the Tudors believed Falconry helped them train/prepare for war), but it was also an area for further display of his kingship. This was achieved through the use of costly materials and fabrics to help create an image of magnificence, but it also served as a reminder of your social status and that no one was higher than the king on the social ladder except almighty God himself. 

As the birds belonged to Henry they (and the items associated with them) were also adorned with the finest silks and velvets that money could buy, and these such items could also be decorated with embroidery, feathers or silver and gold bells. Mark Milliner a falconer of the king put in a bill for a hawking glove that was 'trimmed with crimson velvet and embroidered with gold and silver and another trimmed with white velvet and embroidered with gold and silver, both costing 15s'. We are better able to understand what these looked like from written and pictorial sources. As with other forms of Tudor clothing and accessories any surviving pieces of hawking equipment would be extremely rare, as expensive fabrics and metal threads were frequently reused. Despite this, there is a surviving hawking glove and hood in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, both are linked to the 16th Century and are strongly believed to have belonged to King Henry VIII.

Hawking Hood (Front View)

Hawking Hood (Side View)

Hawking Glove (Right-Handed)

Hawking Glove 

The surviving hawking glove is made of red-brown doeskin with a lining of white doeskin. It is embroidered with silver-gilt thread which is held by red silk stitching, which forms a band that encircles the wrist. It is also embroidered with three circular motifs (each are 60mm in diameter), one at the centre front, one at the centre back and one on the inside fold, which are edged with blue silk. It has a small yellow silk tassel.

Hawking Hood 

The hawking hood is made of leather, which has been covered with a red fabric (probably velvet). The red fabric is decorated with gold thread embroidery, which has incorporated loops of gold and is edged with gold chain work. It does not have a plume.

If you have time to spare why not pop in to the Ashmolean Museum to view them. They are truly remarkable survivals of their time...

Sources

• Henry VIII and Falconry - HRP - 2nd April 2009 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFuG1ddWl8Y
• Dress at the Court of King Henry VIII - Maria Hayward - https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BCgxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT800&lpg=PT800&dq=henry+viii+hawking+hood+and+glove&source=bl&ots=c6oUObwljS&sig=0YNacv_pYlLWg_82n3py1tGULWY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1xJfBgvjVAhWLAMAKHd1vASM4ChDoAQgnMAA#v=onepage&q=henry%20viii%20hawking%20hood%20and%20glove&f=false
• https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/discover/mauritshuis/masterpieces-from-the-mauritshuis/portrait-of-robert-cheseman-14851547-276/
• http://www.ashmolean.org/ash/amulets/tradescant/tradescant07-06.html
• http://www.ashmolean.org/ash/amulets/tradescant/tradescant07-07.html

The Old Palace of Richmond

Richmond Palace (previously known as the Palace of Shene) is associated with all the Tudor Monarchs (it played a large role within all their lives), but it was mostly favoured by King Henry VII - the first Tudor king.

Elizabeth Woodville, the wife of King Edward IV, held the great Palace of Shene until shortly after Henry VII's victory over King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth on the 22nd August 1485, where she then handed it over to her new son-in-law. When the Palace of Shene had come into the king's hands, he had relatively little to do with it, that is until him and his court visited over the Christmas of 1497, and he decided to rebuild/restore the fire ravaged palace into a modern day Tudor pleasure palace. The king's carpenters and stonemasons set to work soon after.

Elizabeth Woodville, Queens College Collection, Cambridge, portrait 88.

Building work finished in 1501,  (the palace now covered over 20 acres) after the king had "rebuilt it up again sumptuously and costly..", with the King then changing the palace's name to Richmond  after his father Edmund Tudor, whose title was that of the Earl of Richmond.

Richmond Palace by Anthonis van den Wyngaerde, C. 1558-1562 

Henry VIII was not as fond of Richmond Palace as his father had been and during his reign it quickly became one of the homes for his discarded queens. Anne of Cleves (Henry VIII's 4th wife) was even given it as part of her marriage settlement. However, Henry VIII's daughter Mary I and Elizabeth I made better use of the palace, with Mary staying at the palace with her new husband Phillip II of Spain as part of their honeymoon, and Elizabeth frequently visiting over the winter months, particularly at Christmas and Shrovetide. Elizabeth I was even at the palace when she died on the 24th March 1603.

The palace then passed from royal hand to royal hand until it was sold by the Commonwealth (after the execution of King Charles I). With the buildings of the royal estate being divided up, and some of the buildings even being destroyed so that the stone could be sold off. To this day the only surviving parts that can be seen of the Tudor Palace of Richmond are the Wardrobe buildings and the gate house.

The surviving Gatehouse

This stonework above the gateway is Tudor, but has been restored over the years.

To give you an idea of the scale of how big the palace would have been - this is me and the doorway.

When I got home after visiting the remains I opened my copy of 'The Royal Palaces of Tudor England' by Simon Thurley, and leafed through it to try and find a picture of the Gateway that I had just seen. And here it is...

Image from 'The Royal Palaces of Tudor England' by Simon Thurley.

You can clearly see the gateway, the stonework above it and the now bricked up doorway to the right of the gateway.

If you are walking through Richmond, or are looking for somewhere to visit on your holidays/travels do not neglect the remains of the palace. They are well worth a visit. It was always on my Tudor Bucket List to visit and it didn't disappoint. The perfect Tudor hideaway from the busy hustle and bustle of London...

Sources

1. https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/life-at-queens/about-the-college/college-facts/foundresses-and-patronesses/elizabeth-woodville
2. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Wyngaerde_Richmond_1562.jpg
3. https://www.richmond.gov.uk/media/6334/local_history_richmond_palace.pdf
4. The Royal Palaces of Tudor England by Simon Thurley, Yale University Press; First Edition; (31st Aug 1993)

Bibliography

1. http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/richmond-lost-palace/
2. http://richmond.gov.uk/services/libraries/branch_libraries/local_studies_collection/local_history_timelines/royal_richmond_timeline