Henry Fitzroy

Mary Howard: Too Wise for a Woman

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In this article I will be discussing one of my favorite women at Tudor court - the fearless Mary Howard, Duchess of Richmond and Somerset. Mary had the bravery that wasn't often shown by a woman during this time period. She wasn't afraid to stand up for what she thought was right. It was her father who was quoted as saying that Mary was, "too wise for a woman" - one of the reasons I love her so much. This post was originally a podcast that was transcribed into an [More]

The Relationship Between Mary and Elizabeth Tudor

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Princess Mary Tudor was the apple of her father's eye for many years prior Anne Boleyn returning to England. Freshly back from her duties in France, Anne was unlike most women and Henry VIII noticed. We don't know the exact date that Henry noticed Anne but once he did it changed the course of English history. After Katherine of Aragon's last unsuccessful pregnancy Henry began to consider that he would never have a male heir. He believed the fact that he had married his [More]

The Howards and Seymours

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From everything that has been written about him, Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk was a powerful, yet ambitious man. The possibility of bringing his family close to the crown after the execution of his niece, Anne Boleyn, and death of his son-in-law, Henry Fitzroy in 1536, seemed to be the driving force behind arranging a marriage with his now widowed daughter, Mary Howard, dowager Duchess of Richmond and Somerset to Sir Thomas Seymour. Having his niece as queen consort from [More]

Mary Howard: Bold Disobedience

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Mary Howard was born in 1519, to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and his wife Lady Elizabeth Stafford. Elizabeth Stafford was the daughter of the Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Mary's father, the Duke of Norfolk was a very powerful man in England -- at the time of her birth he was a very high-ranking noble, just behind the King. Sometime in 1529, it was suggested that Henry Fitzroy should wed Mary Howard. The marriage would strengthen the Howard name and br [More]

The Legacy of Henry VIII

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When you think of infamous English monarchs who is the first to come to mind? Henry VIII? King Henry VIII is popularly known for marrying six times and executing two of his wives, as well as his famous split from Rome. It might surprise you to learn that Henry VIII was considered one of the most prolific builders of the English monarchs. He also helped to increase the size of the English Navy with ships like: Henry Grace a Dieu, The Mary Rose, The Peter and man [More]

Henry’s Children – Which Parent Do They Look Most Like?

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I know I am not the only one who stares at portraits and compares them to find similar facial features. Someone suggested a side by side of their portraits to see which parent each child looks most like. I did my best to find images that looked similar. Please weigh in - in the comment section below! Hope you enjoy!

Bessie Blount and Her Son: Henry Fitzroy

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Elizabeth Blount came to court as a maid-of-honor to Katherine of Aragon.  A maid-of-honor was considered a junior attendant under lady-in-waiting to the queen. She was more commonly known as Bessie.  Bessie was the daughter of Sir John Blount and Catherine Pershall.  Her father, Sir John, was known to be extremely loyal to the royal family. Not much is known about Bessie Blount in her early years - other than she was a great beauty. It was at court that [More]