Lady Lisle

The Mysterious Nan Cobham

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Written by Rebecca Larson The downfall of Anne Boleyn is one of the most talked about pieces of Tudor history. Her execution is the one event that all Tudor lovers are aware familiar with – people are fascinated by her because she was unjustly executed. Most of us can agree that she did not deserve the end she met, but that is not what this article is about. This article touches base on the three women who may have been responsible for the events to take motion, but in [More]

Anne Boleyn’s Dog Purkoy: Where Did He Come From?

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You may already be aware that Anne Boleyn was very fond of her lap dog, Purkoy...but are you aware that he was originally a gift to Sir Francis Bryan from Lady Lisle? I was recently going through my "Lisle Letters" book and came across a letter that made me aware of the situation. I'll be honest, I knew very little of Purkoy except for his tragic end. This adorable little dog, as I already stated, was originally given to Anne Boleyn's cousin (Sir Francis Bryan) by [More]

Katheryn Howard’s Father in Trouble for Wetting Bed

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Edmund Howard was the younger brother of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and father of Henry VIII's ill-fated fifth queen, Katherine Howard. While looking through "Lisle Letters" edited by Muriel St. Clare Byrne, I came across a letter that was like none I've ever come across before. Howard was always in debt, and more than likely was the "black sheep" of his family. Even so, he held the position of Comptroller of Calais. The following letter is not dated but the one [More]

The King’s Mistress: Letter from Anne Bassett to Lady Lisle

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This letter was written around 1539 and found in Lisle Paper, Vol. I. No 86. It states that Anne of Cleves had passed through Calais where Lady Lisle was to greet her. It is around this time (1538-1539) that Anne Bassett is first rumored as a mistress to King Henry VIII. Bassett was sent to court with her sister during the end of the reign of Queen Jane Seymour. The Queen had informed their mother, Lady Lisle, that she only had room for one lady - she chose Anne. It is [More]

Singled Out: Potential Wives of Henry VIII

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It is well-known that Henry VIII loved women. Especially ones that could potentially give him a male heir. After the execution of wife number five, Katheryn Howard, Henry was once again on the hunt for a new wife. As King of England he would surely have been a great catch to any woman. He was all-powerful as King of England, Ireland and France, as well as being the head of the Church of England. Becoming his wife would mean you nearly had the world at your disposal. The [More]