the feminine urge to just

#OTD in history, 10 April 1512, the birth of James V, son of Margaret Tudor, at Linlithgow. He is perhaps best remembered as the father of Mary, Queen of Scots, who inherited the throne at only six days old. But his reign was notable in its own right: https://t.co/DV3tBenTx6

I'm pleased to announce that I am a contributor to the forthcoming #RichardIII anthology, 'A Spirited and Most Courageous Prince' to be released in November to raise money for Scoliosis Support and Research. #HistoricalFiction #NewRelease

#OnThisDay in history, 8 September 1560, Amy Robsart, the wife of Robert Dudley, died after falling down a flight of stairs at Cumnor Place.

“So the year is 1483 and I notice these two young princes hanging around the Tower of London…”

Henry VIII in 1519: “Look here - and I have also a good calf to my leg!” Chapuys on Henry VIII in 1544: “Besides his age and weight, he has the worst legs in the world.” Ouch.

#OTD in history, 19 July 1543, Mary Boleyn, the elder sister of Anne Boleyn, died, most likely at Rochford Hall. Mary was famously the one-time mistress of Henry VIII, and historians have speculated that she may have borne him two children, although this remains unconfirmed.

#OTD in history, Madeleine of Valois died at Holyrood Palace. The eldest daughter of Francis I, Madeleine suffered from poor health from birth and though her marriage to James V helped to solidify the Auld Alliance, she died less than two months after arriving in Scotland.

On the advice of the council, his death was concealed from the public. The news that the King had passed reached his half-sister within hours. But as Mary fled east to assemble support, Lady Jane Grey was being informed that she was now Queen of England.

An ambassador at the court of Edward VI wrote that the ‘King of England is wasting away and there is no sign or likelihood of any improvement’. This grim observation would soon become a tragic reality. The last Tudor King, aged only 15, died weeks later.

Despite claims that he was a sickly child, Edward enjoyed robust health until April 1552, when he fell ill with a severe case of measles. Edward fell ill again in January 1553. He was troubled by a persistent cough that produced bloody/blackened sputum and swelling in the legs.

#OTD in history, 6 July 1553, Edward VI, the son of King Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, died. Edward succeeded his father as King of England at the age of nine and reigned for less than a decade. 🧵

For the brief period that was his early childhood, #HenryVIII was a mere second son, living in the shadow of his elder brother. His birth was most likely a delight to his parents, no doubt gratified to have another heir, though curiously little fanfare accompanied his birth.

#OTD in history, 28 June 1491, Henry Tudor — the King who famously took six wives — was born at the newly-renovated Greenwich Palace. This second-born prince would later succeed his father as King Henry VIII, becoming one of the most notorious monarchs in British history.

"This pretty lad will prove our country’s bliss. His looks are full of peaceful majesty His head by nature framed to wear a crown, His hand to wield a scepter, and himself Likely in time to bless a regal throne. Shakespeare's #SonOfProphecy

Learn more about the portrait, painted by Elizabeth I’s renowned miniaturist Nicholas Hilliard, on Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb’s podcast Not Just the Tudors. What remarkable detective work! Bravo 🕵️‍♀️ 🔗

**NEW DISCOVERY** An Elizabethan woman, hidden for centuries… This 400-year-old portrait of Tudor noblewoman—and potential heir to the throne—Arabella Stuart was recently discovered by Emma Rutherford and Dr Elizabeth Goldring.

Anne of Denmark inherited many of her MIL MQOS' jewels, including the ‘Great H’. It consisted of a large diamond & ruby. It was dismantled in 1604 and transformed into ‘a greate and riche jewell of gould called the Mirror of Great Britain’ for James I, & is now considered lost.

In December 1563, Elizabeth I sent MQOS a diamond ring for her 21st birthday. Still recovering from the festivities, Mary received E1's ambassador in bed & proudly displayed the ring, worn beside another given to her by Francis II—‘two jewels I have that must die with me.'

A stunning full length portrait of Catherine Parr from ⁦@NPGLondon⁩ Once thought to be Lady Jane Grey, it depicts the last of Henry VIII’s six wives as the confident, self-possessed, intelligent and glamorous figure that she was #catherineparr #henryviii #sixwives