Today In History

[Rowan MacD]

On this date:

1509- Henry VIII was crowned King of England

1564: William Shakespeare was born-The Bard's baptism is recorded on April 26; though the exact date of his birth is uncertain, it is traditionally celebrated on the 23rd.  He also died on  this same date in 1616.

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1603 the Tudor era ended as Queen Elizabeth I was buried in London.

[DonaCatalina]

On April 30, 1492, Columbus was given royal commission to equip his fleet.

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested for treason and taken to the Tower of London by barge.  She entered the Tower through what was later to be called "Traitor's Gate".

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1509, Henry VII was laid to rest next to his wife, Elizabeth of York, in Westminster Abbey.

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn was convicted of treason.  Her Uncle, Thomas Howard, presided over the trial, the validity of which can be judged by the fact that the French swordsman who was to carry out her execution had been summoned before the court was convened.

[Rani Zemirah]

Wow... 12 days between arrest and conviction!  Talk about a speedy trial! 


I have never understood the desire to be so close to power that there is every likelihood that it will eventually be the death of you... quite literally.  I don't know... perhaps it conveys the illusion of having power in one's own right... but it would seem to me that being in such close proximity to the only power that really counts would strip any real power from those who sought to share in it's rewards, since life, itself, would become such a delicate balancing act that one could lose track of the actual "game".  Surely it wouldn't just be a matter of seeking the comfort that comes from higher station... I think there must be some sort of addictive thrill produced by flirting with that particular sort of disaster.  I mean, the chances of personal reward might be great... but the potential ruin could affect not only one person, but every single member of a family, sometimes for generations!  Or it could spell the end, utterly, of an entire bloodline...

But I suppose greed knows no limits, and the lust for power can blind those who seek it, and even disguise the complete loss of that power... right up until the headsman's ax falls. 

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded.  "Executions were carefully choreographed, and there was a set format for execution speeches.  Anne followed it to the letter.  There was no way that she would risk her daughter's safety by defying the King and proclaiming her innocence.  Elizabeth's safety and her future relationship with her father, the King, were paramount in Anne's mind as she prepared to meet her maker."

[Butch]

Those last two posts read together.  Good timing!

Nope; I'll stay an humble mariner in His Majesty's Navy thanks.  I am fond of my head!

[Rowan MacD]

  It it is generally believed that the charges against Anne were trumped up to free the king to marry Jane Seymour. 
  To her credit-Anne stuck to her guns, refusing to grant the king an annulment which would have made their daughter Elizabeth illegitimate thereby nullifying the princess's claim to the throne.



  I have always wondered what Jane thought of the methods used against her predecessor.
  Even though I imagine little of the blame was actually hers (other than the obvious sin of coveting someone elses husband);  Did she feel at all guilty at gaining the crown at the expense of someone's life?   

[Norfolk]

  It it is generally believed that the charges against Anne were trumped up to free the king to marry Jane Seymour. 
  To her credit-Anne stuck to her guns, refusing to grant the king an annulment which would have made their daughter Elizabeth illegitimate thereby nullifying the princess's claim to the throne.



  I have always wondered what Jane thought of the methods used against her predecessor.
  Even though I imagine little of the blame was actually hers (other than the obvious sin of coveting someone elses husband);  Did she feel at all guilty at gaining the crown at the expense of someone's life?

Excellent question, Rowan.  I have read two dozen books on Henry's reign, and cannot recall any of them addressing Jane's view of her predecessor.  I am, however, quite convinced that Henry was well aware that the charges against Anne were contrived.  To me, this was plainly revealed when, shortly after their marriage, Henry admonished Jane for becoming involved in some issue or other, warning her that "the last queen died from meddling too much in affairs of state".

[Rowan MacD]

   Sometimes history can be frustrating.  Rarely are the 'little things', like the emotions driving a momentous decision, recorded in reliable detail.
   Even though there was only a single record where Elizabeth mentioned her mother in public; you know she had to have spoken on the matter more than once.  After her father was gone, there was nothing stopping her from talking about Anne, or even honoring her with a proper tomb if she so pleased.  I am sure she intended something along those lines, but she, like her brother and sister before her, had more pressing things on her mind besides building chapel to house her mother's remains....I note that she, like Henry's other two children,  made no effort to complete her father's tomb either.   Karma.

[Norfolk]

On this date in 1524 my father, Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, died. 

[Rowan MacD]

 Our condolences, your Grace.

[Norfolk]

Our condolences, your Grace.