September 5th, 1548: The Death of Katherine Parr

The tomb of Katherine Parr in St. Mary's Chapel, Sudeley Castle. Photo shared for public use by Lara E. Eakins of TudorHistory.org.

On this day in Tudor history, 1548, the Dowager Queen Katherine Parr died from “childbed fever”, or puerperal sepsis, at her home of Sudeley Castle. With her final breaths, Katherine Parr voiced her disappointment in her husband, Thomas Seymour, for all the pain he had caused her. Thomas had been inappropriate with his wife's stepdaughter, Elizabeth Tudor (Plowden, 100-101). 

Henry VIII's sixth and final wife was laid to rest on the grounds of Sudeley Castle in St. Mary's Chapel.

An exterior view of Sudeley Castle. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

After being widowed just one year before, upon the death of her third husband, King Henry VIII, Katherine had seized her chance at happiness by marrying Thomas Seymour. Thomas had been pursuing Katherine before she had caught King Henry's eye (Porter, 284-291). Thomas Seymour was also the uncle of Katherine's stepson, the boy-king Edward VI.

The Jersey Portrait. The sitter was formally thought to be Jane Grey, but has now been identified as Katherine Parr. Picture acquired through Flickr courtesy of Inor19.

Katherine and Thomas's courtship appears to have been a passionate one, but their marriage suffered when Thomas became fixated on Katherine's young stepdaughter, Elizabeth Tudor (Porter, 307-315). Elizabeth was in their care, living under their roof. Thomas abused his ward by behaving inappropriately with her. 

Katherine Parr, although a highly educated and perceptive woman, was conflicted as to how to handle the situation. Torn between her husband and the stepchild she regarded as her own daughter, Katherine began participating in her husband's escapades. Who knows how she rationalized her involvement to herself; perhaps she believed it would bring her closer to her husband, or perhaps she thought it would help her to keep an eye on the behavior.

When Katherine became pregnant, she became far less tolerant of her husband interest in Elizabeth, and she had the Princess sent away (Porter, 313-314). Still, Elizabeth and Katherine were not on bad terms, and they wrote to one another during their separation (Porter, 315-316). Upon learning of her stepmother's death, Elizabeth was devastated. Despite the betrayal she had experienced in Katherine Parr's care, she would never forget that this was the woman who had treated her like she was her own child. She had loved her, interceded for her with her father, and given her with the best of educations (Plowden, 75, 93). Just a few years before (1545), the Princess Elizabeth had given her stepmother her own translation of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul, by Margaret of Navarre. This present was intended to show off her academic skills, which she had acquired thanks to the tutors provided to her by her stepmother. The cover was embroidered in her own hand, and included Katherine Parr's initials, "KP" in the center.

Elizabeth Tudor's translation of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul, given by her to her stepmother, Katherine Parr in 1545. Elizabeth hand-embroidered the cover, including the Dowager Queen's initials, "KP" in the center. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Katherine herself was quite the role model for the young Elizabeth in matters of education, government,and religion. Katherine was an author, and she earned the distinction of becoming the first English Queen to have a work of literature published under her own name. Just one year after her wedding to Henry VIII, the mature and accomplished Katherine was entrusted to be regent of England for three months.  Finally, Katherine was a champion for church reform, even though it nearly cost her her life (Porter, 225-267).

Prayers and Meditations, a book authored by Queen Katherine Parr. This copy was perhaps written in her own hand. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Sadly, the fate of Queen Katherine Parr's only biological child, Mary Seymour, is unknown. While she lived for a time in the care of Katherine Parr's friend, Katherine Willoughby, she disappears from the records and probably did not live into adulthood.

A portrait of Queen Katherine Parr, circa 1545. Picture acquired through Flickr courtesy of Inor19. Image public domain.

In Other Katherine Parr News...

This Sunday, September 9th, marks the grande finale of the year-long celebrations at Sudeley Castle for the Katherine Parr Quincentenary. The Quincentenary marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of Katherine Parr, the 6th and final wife of King Henry VIII.

An exterior view of a knot garden at Sudeley Castle. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Sudeley Castle has undertaken a remarkable historical challenge: re-creating the funeral of England's Queen Dowager from 1548. The event, which is sold out, asks guests to participate, rather than mereley spectate, by having them portray actual funeral guests.This re-enactment, led by eminent Tudor historian Dr. David Starkey, truly is "living history" at its finest!

A close-up of the tomb of Queen Katherine Parr in St.Mary's Chapel, Sudeley Castle. Photo shared for public use by Lara E. Eakins of TudorHistory.org.

Sources

Porter, Linda. Katherine the Queen. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2010. Print.

Plowden, Alison. The Young Elizabeth. Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2011. Print.

Theatre Thursday: Back to School in "As You Like It"

"Rosalind Gives Orlando a Chain"; a 19th century illustration by Emile Bayard from Shakespeare's As You Like It. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

To commemorate "back to school" time for children and adults continuing their education around the world, I bring you a quote concerning a reluctant schoolboy from Shakespeare.

"And then the whining schoolboy with his satchel, and shining morning face, creeping like a snail unwillingly to school. "

-Jacques, As You Like It

Coincidentally, The Globe Theatre (currently on tour) is performing As You Like It. They will also be doing a special showing of the play at Penrhyn Castle, only on Sept 1st.

This month I will begin working toward my Masters in History; my first course will be about The Wars of the Roses, and I am very much looking forward to it!

Elizabethan Fact of the Day: Elizabeth Visits Oxford on Progress in 1566

During Queen Elizabeth I's summer progress in 1566, she chose to visit the University of Oxford. The university and the student's were eager to impress the Queen, who had honored them with her visit. So, they prepared a showcase of Oxford talent, where Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers were entertained with debates and plays. 

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, c.1590 that hangs in the Hall of Jesus College, Oxford University. Queen Elizabeth founded the school on June 27th, 1571. Jesus College was the first Protestant college to be founded at the university. Elizabeth originally intended Jesus College to be an academic institution for Anglican clergymen. These men would help to enforce her Elizabethan Religious Settlement (please see my article: Religious Policy under Elizabeth I). Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Queen Elizabeth supported education in many ways throughout her reign; one of the ways in which she showed her support to higher education was by making frequent visits to universities. Queen Elizabeth even helped to pay for some of her god-children's schooling. This is generous, considering she had more than one-hundred in her lifetime! We know that Elizabeth greatly valued her own education; while she believed God had preserved her through many dangers in order to assume the position of Queen of England, it was Elizabeth's education and intellectual ability that can be largely credited for creating the consummate stateswoman we study to this day. (For an assessment of Elizabeth's political aptitude by scholar Garrett Mattingly, click here.)

One of Queen Elizabeth's godchildren was the writer John Harrington; he attended Eton and King's College, Cambridge. The Queen helped to fund his education. Some of Queen Elizabeth and John Harrington's correspondences have survived, and they were published by his descendent under the title Nugae Antique.

Interestingly, John Harrington holds the prestige of being the inventor of the first flushing toilet in England in 1596. He describes this invention, which he originally installed in his house at Kelston in his work, A New Discourse of a Stale Subject, Called the Metamorphosis of Ajax. He also installed the flushing toilet for his royal godmother at Richmond Palace.  

Sources

Doran, Susan. The Tudor Chronicles 1485-1603. London: Quercus, 2008. Print.

Kinghorn, Jonathan."A Privvie in Perfection: Sir John Harrington's Water Closet." Bath History.

On this Day in Elizabethan History: The Death of Queen Elizabeth I, and the End of the Elizabethan Era

The Funeral Procession of Queen Elizabeth I, 1603. Elizabeth's funeral effigy is now part of the Westminster Abbey effigy collection.

On this Day in Elizabethan History, March 24th 1603, Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69. When Elizabeth knew she was dying, she refused to take to her sick bed, despite the urging of her councillors that she should rest. Elizabeth was recorded as saying, "if you knew what awaited me in my bed, you would not go and lie down either." Queen Elizabeth would leave this world only when she deemed it acceptable to do so herself, and through the sheer willpower that she had become famous for, Elizabeth remained standing for weeks on end with very little food or water to sustain herself as she contemplated the many episodes of her life. When Elizabeth finally laid her head down on her pillow, she had Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester's last letter with her, and supposedly she called out his name as she was dying.


"His Last Letter" as Elizabeth titled it in her own hand; this was the last letter she had received from her lifelong friend and only love, Robert Dudley when he was away from her recovering from his infirmities. Dudley thanks Elizabeth for the medicine that she has sent him, informing her that the tonic's are much better than anything else he has been given. He inquires as to her health, and jokes "I humbly kiss your foot".Any places in the letter where two o's are together, Dudley doodled them into eyes, a nod to Elizabeth's nickname for him. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.


After 44 years on the throne of England, Elizabeth had earned herself the nicknames of "Gloriana" and "Good Queen Bess" because of the fame, fortune, peace and prosperity she had brought to her realm.  The last of the Tudor's, Elizabeth was also undoubtedly the greatest.

Elizabeth inherited a country on the brink of disaster in 1558. Her legitimacy and thus her right to rule was in question by those who did not wish to see her succeed. Despite the odds being against her, Elizabeth got straight to work solving the many problems of the country was to serve.


The Coronation Portrait of Elizabeth I. This portrait depicts Elizabeth at 25, holding the orb and scepter of a sovereign of England, and clad in an ermine-trimmed robe (ermine being a symbol of royalty). It is a 17th century copy of a 16th century original. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Queen Elizabeth selected men whom she knew she could trust to give her honest council and a variety of opinions, to serve in the various positions of her government. No one doubts that Elizabeth was an expert in politics and statesmanship. As queen she would always make the final decisions on matters of state using her own sound judgement. Elizabeth would weigh the input of her council against her own beliefs, and sometimes prudently stall making a decision up until the eleventh hour (this tactic being much to her council's frustration); but for all her procrastination her choices were always right in the end. 

Elizabeth's adoption of a moderate religious policy appeased the majority of her subjects, both Catholic and Protestant, and allowed them to see themselves unified as English first, rather than divided by religious faction. Elizabeth was able to keep her people from the countless religious and civil wars that were destroying the rest of Europe.

Queen Elizabeth stimulated a bleak economy by encouraging at-home trade and industry, and as a result England would become mostly independent for the first time during her reign. Elizabeth's practice of granting religious asylum to individuals and families with special skills would only contribute to England's economic strength. Toward the end of her reign, Elizabeth had effectively solved the debt crisis that had been left to her by her predecessors.

The Clopton Portrait of Elizabeth I, c. 1560-1565.


Queen Elizabeth's value of education originated from a childhood where learning was her only solace; she mastered the history of the world, seven languages, translation, religion, science and astronomy, along with the more traditional pursuits of musical composition, dance and singing. This enjoyment and mastery of her education motivated Elizabeth to become a benefactress of both Cambridge and Oxford University; in fact, she would visit the students there personally many times throughout her reign. During the Elizabethan era, an alarming amount of grammar schools were established, which gave educational opportunities to more of England's people than ever before. In Ireland, Queen Elizabeth would found Trinity College, which is still in operation to this day.


The embroidered book cover of Elizabeth's translation of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul. This translation of the French text into English (and the book cover itself) was done by the Princess Elizabeth as a gift to her stepmother Queen Katherine Parr.



Queen Elizabeth Playing the Lute, a miniature attributed to Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1580. This miniature was commissioned by the Queen's cousin Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon. Elizabeth composed many original pieces of music, and she was praised for her skill at playing the virginals. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers brought England into the "Golden Age", promoting theatre, music, art, and literature. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser, Johnson, Byrd, Hilliard, Teerlinc, Lanyer, and the Sidney's are just some of the many remarkable talents that hailed from Elizabeth's court. Elizabeth made England a superpower, using her "Sea Dogs" to explore, plunder, settle and trade in the New World. The dominant power in the 16th century had been Spain up until the 30th year of Elizabeth's reign, when the Elizabethan Navy destroyed the Spanish Armada when it dared to invade England in 1588. With the founding of the East India Trading Company, Elizabeth was able to leave her mark on the next two centuries of England as Empire.


The Armada Portrait, attributed to George Gower. This painting was commissioned to commemorate the English's defeat of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth is shown with her hand resting on a globe, symbolizing that she is a world power. The windows behind her reveal episodes of the English Navy and the Armada's battle at sea. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

 There never has been a woman nor a monarch like that of Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth survived a significant amount of childhood trauma and evaded death twice at the hands of her own family to become the greatest ruler of the Western World. Never has there been a love affair like that of Elizabeth Tudor and her people. Elizabeth sacrificed her chance of having a husband and her own children to be married to England, and to become a mother to her people. And I know that in the end she never regretted that decision.

Eliza Triumphans, a woodcut print from 1589 celebrating Queen Elizabeth as the savior of the English people. Attributed to William Rogers. Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

"And though you have had and may have many mightier and wiser Princes sitting in this seat, you never had nor shall have any that will love you better."-the words of Elizabeth Regina, from The Golden Speech, delivered to her last Parliament in 1601.

Queen Elizabeth Presiding Over Parliament, c. 1580-1600.Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.

Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England lives on in the heart's and minds of all who study her. I am one of those people. I will never know enough or understand enough about this fascinating, multidimensional woman and icon to ever be satisfied. If I can get one child to fall in love with Elizabeth as I did at the age of 12, I will have done what I set out to do.

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England. Your legend lives on...

Elizabethan Fact of the Day: Trinity College

In January of 1592, Elizabeth I founded Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, which continues to thrive to this day. Some of the greatest literary minds attended and/or graduated from Trinity College, and I myself was lucky enough to visit the illustrious campus several summers ago. I enjoyed a tour of the college's campus, and also, of course, viewing the Book of Kells, which culminated with a visit to Trinity's rare book library. I have never had so many goosebumps as when I walked into the multi-tiered library of ancient and early modern books!

Presently, there is a white tower in the center of the common area, (or a "quad" as we call it here in America-I think "common area" sounds more distinguished, don't you?) and as the legend goes, if a virgin walks under the tower, the bell in its belfry will ring!

Trinity College Tower

I never heard the bell ring when I was there, which either means that there were no virgins present, or that the legend was false-one will never know! In any case, I am certain that if Queen Elizabeth I were to walk under that tower, the bell would ring out loud and clear!

Our New Article is Up, at OntheTudorTrail!

Natalie at OntheTudorTrail has honored me by publishing my newest article on Elizabeth I exclusively on her website.

An Education: the Shaping of Elizabeth I Through Childhood Events, and Academic Pursuits

I would be honored if you would read it by clicking the above link, and giving me your feedback either on Natalie's page or here on BeingBess.

In other exciting news, Simon & Schuester has contacted me to do book reviews of new Tudor themed  historical novels. I am honored to have been asked, and very excited to get started!

As always, I do this all for Elizabeth, but also for all of you; connecting her to a modern audience is always my goal!

SEMPER EADEM,

Ashlie

A Thank You, A Question, and A Preview of the Next Article...

We are so thankful for the feedback from our loyal readers, concerning this website as well as our articles. As you can imagine, researching, writing, editing and typing these articles is time consuming (as well as utterly enjoyable!) but the long process is all made worthwhile by my readers!

We are hoping to get more Tudor/Elizabethan pictures up here, so the blog is not so text heavy; for instance, we would like to insert some pictures into the body of our Anne Boleyn article, and re-release it as one large post, but I need to figure out how to use images without violating any copyright laws-Any of my associates who have Tudor/Elizabethan blogs, if you would not mind emailing me and letting me know how you get the rights to the images on your site, I would most appreciate it! Is it a matter of using images that are public domain, or do you have to pay for licensing?

ERITudor (@) gmail (dot) com

The next article for BeingBess will be on Elizabeth's childhood, with a particular focus on her stellar education.

As always, I love and appreciate you all for reading, and look forward to the growth of this site, all for the glory of the great Elizabeth I of England! If you have friends who would enjoy reading BeingBess, I would be so thankful if you would let them know about this blog. The more, the merrier!

Sincerley,
Ashlie

Anne Boleyn: Part 2 of 3-Back in England

Parts 1-3 of our Anne Boleyn article are now revised, expanded upon and annotated! Please view and comment on the finalized article, Anne Boleyn: Mother of the Virgin Queen.

Anne Boleyn: Part 1 of 3-A Continental Education

   Parts 1-3 of our Anne Boleyn article are now revised, expanded upon and annotated! Please view and comment on the finalized article, Anne Boleyn: Mother of the Virgin Queen.

        

Elizabeth Tudor's Letter to Katherine Parr (1548)

As promised, here is the first primary document for my

Being Bess readers

The primary mother figure for Elizabeth Tudor, save for her lifelong attendant and friend Katherine (nee Champernowne) Ashley, was undoubtedly Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII. A fellow reformist, Katherine and Elizabeth shared their faith and a dedication to higher learning. Elizabeth went to live with Katherine and her husband Thomas Seymour for a time (more on this time in her life in an upcoming article) after the death of her father. Katherine was responsible for facilitating Elizabeth’s superb education, and giving her motherly affection and guidance.

The letter below was written by Elizabeth to her stepmother a few weeks before Katherine gave birth to her first and only biological child, thought to be a girl. Unfortunately, Katherine Parr did not live long. Katherine became ill due to childbirth complications, and died shortly thereafter. Her child disappears from the records, so it is thought that she too died around the same time as her mother.

July 31, 1548

Although your Highness’s letters be most joyful to me in absence, yet, considering what pain it is for you to write, your Grace being so sickly, your commendations were enough in my Lord’s letter. I much rejoice at your health, with the well liking of the country, with my humble thanks that your Grace wished me with you till you were weary of that country. Your Highness were like to be cumbered, if I should not depart till I were weary of being with you; although it were the worst soil in the world, your presence would make it pleasant.
I cannot reprove my Lord for not doing your commendations in his letter, for he did it; and although he had not, yet I will not complain on him; for he shall be diligent to give me knowledge from time to time how his busy child doth; and if I were at his birth, no doubt I would see him beaten, for the trouble he hath put you to. Master Denny and my lady, with humble thanks, prayeth most entirely for your Grace, praying the Almighty God to send you a most lucky deliverance, and my mistress wisheth no less, giving your Highness most humble thanks for her commendations.
Written with very little leisure this last day of July.

Your humble daughter,
ELIZABETH.

     The relationship between Elizabeth and her stepmother brings us many touching, intimate glimpses into Elizabeth’s young life, a childhood that was more often than not plagued with neglect, paranoia and disinterest from her father. One of my favorite stories of Elizabeth and Katherine Parr is appropriate to mention here:


     At the tender age of eleven, child prodigy Elizabeth translated from French The Mirror of the Sinful Soul as a gift for Katherine. For a comprehensive explanation of the incredible significance of this text for Elizabeth, Katherine Parr, and Anne Boleyn, please visit Claire Ridgway’s wonderful article at Elizabeth Files.

The cover of eleven-year-old Elizabeth's translation of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul. Elizabeth embroidered the cover with Queen Katherine Parr's initials, "KP". Picture acquired through Wikimedia Commons. Image public domain.