On this day in history, 14th November 1541, an inventory was taken “of the goods and chattels, lands and fees of Thos. Culpeper, the younger”, a member of the king’s privy chamber who had been having secret meetings with the queen and who Francis Dereham claimed had replaced him in the queen’s affections.
By 14th November 1541, an inventory had also been taken of the possession of Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, one of Queen Catherine Howard’s ladies and the widow of George Boleyn, Lord Rochford.
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Picture: Torrance Coombs as Thomas Culpeper in “The Tudors” series.
Every time I read about someone being attainted I find it so sad that their entire life and existence is reduced to what ‘stuff’ they had. The Crown could sure make a lot from these proceedings.
I wonder who got the kirtles and caps and nightdresses. These items were not just personal but every item of clothing of a person of quality would be worth a few bob. They were often claimed by the vultures around the Court and it is very sad when you think all of these things belonging to people, bright, living, vibrant human beings are reduced to shopping lists so as the crown can take charge of them later on. You couldn’t just take them unless someone was condemned, that was one legal protection the Tudors didn’t mess with, but the listing certainly meant things were pretty bleak, that the case most probably would go against you and that was it.
In my previous post last year I had a humorous vision of Henry wearing the ladies underwear. Imagine that! Not funny, I know but it was just something I couldn’t get out of my head at the time. I take it we have moved on and things are bleak for poor Lady Rochford, the young Queen, who has been examined by the Archbishop of Canterbury and now Culpeper is in trouble as well. This investigation must have become more and more shocking and revealing by the day. Good job a News of the World mole wasn’t in the palace. The press would have had a field day with all the scandal at Henry’s Court.
There was a chilling disregard for the feelings of these Tudor men and women about the way their clothing and personal little treasures were itemised and valued before they were actually dead, and the way the hopeful and ambitious were all to react to step into their shoes, the Tudor court was like a snake pit and woe betide those who fell into it, knowing the way of their world Lady Rochford and Culpeper could only imagine the king’s men trifling through their belongings, and it must have been awful, reading Lady Rochfords inventories she like any high born lady owned a certain amount of silver and plate and fine pieces of jewellery, rich clothing mostly in black and the article has a theory on wether this was her way of showing mourning for her late husband, Culpeper like any young man at court had some clothing swords saddles for his horse etc, and a mention on debts that were outstanding, many a man at court must have run up debts at some time in their life, George Boleyn was concerned about his debts whilst he was waiting for death in the Tower, Culpeper who had enjoyed a pleasant furtive liason with the queen must now have begun to feel very worried, what had seemed like an amusing adventure at the time now looked like a gross act of stupidity and very very dangerous, to betray the King was not something that one could commit and hope to escape with ones life, but he was to be fortunate and have the more merciful death, Lady Rochford was to break down completely in the weeks that followed and Catherine was to give in to hysteria and great bouts of weeping that Cranmer would find it impossible to question her, in the Tudor world life was cheap and those who transgressed the law paid for it with their lives, one would think that they would act more with extreme caution.
I find it chilling. I remember when reading the last few days of the men charged with adultery with Anne, the King’s illegitimate son and others writing before their trial to Cromwell saying which items, lands, office, property they wanted. No wonder the Howards tried to hide and remove things from the locked chests that were seized in their homes. It’s like those bullies on Channel 5 going to the home of people struggling in debt and listing all their goods so as they can menace them into paying. It was terrible on one program, one poor little woman and two big men who couldn’t speak English, classed as vulnerable, so legally they should have gone away, frightening her into letting them in as they are dressed as cops, crying because she didn’t have any money or help and they started loading up her goods until a few people in her street found out, came round and stood up to them. Even then, they wouldn’t leave until someone paid a few thousand pounds. Legally she didn’t have to let them in, but she didn’t know that, didn’t understand and they are big, official, intimidating looking men. I had one a few years ago when Steve was in hospital, but because we had encountered them before and got advice I didn’t open the door. He only wanted to speak to Steve in a coma and was told to leave by a neighbour and the real cops. He then realised he had the wrong people and we got an apology but these so called enforcement officials are frightening and half the time act illegally. If someone looks vulnerable or is upset or does not speak the language they should go away and make an appointment. You see all the small bits and pieces that represent a life, and these bullies looking through them, even if they are not worth anything. That is what the lists of people condemned must have been like, all the memories linked to each item, but worse because they are also about to lose their life. The Howards were imprisoned but the Duchess and everyone still had all of their things held and were questioned over and over and over. It was terrible.
These vultures at court never seem to learn that they are only an accusation away from being in the same position as the condemned whose bones they were so eager to pick clean
Oh my god you had all that to contend with and Steve in a coma as well, you poor thing Bq!
Thanks, Christine, yes, but luckily he was some kind of debt collection agent with no bite not a bailiff or enforcement officer, but he was full of bluff and refused to leave. Talking to him through the glass door though he didn’t have much choice in the end and he was soon shifted. He was a pretty nasty piece of work, other people would have let him in, but I knew my rights, which again was good, because many people don’t. Once they are in they list goods and take certain things if you can’t pay them. I remember one on that programme from the notorious Marsdens claiming to be Enforcement Officials when they are actually Bailiffs with far less powers. They actually told one woman who refused to let them in that they would break in even if she wasn’t there, which is utterly illegal and nonsense. She rang someone for help and they told her her rights and refused to let them intimidate her, but in Henry’s time, even though they needed a warrant, that I am sure would not wash.
These poor women from the Howard family had to watch armed men going through their intimate apparel and personal things, taking a note of jewellery probably given to them by beloved family members or dear friends, items which pointed to their status and which were now being noted so as they could adorn some stranger, looking at the value of ancient family treasures and going through their wardrobes and chests. They also searched for letters and money as evidence that the rest of the Howard families had hidden the truth about Kathryn ‘s past and that they also knew about her alleged adultery. The old Dowager Duchess had one of the chests opened and although we don’t have any more information, the investigation Councillors and King Henry were convinced that material evidence was removed and the old Lady was brought in and interrogated about it. It was a terrifying ordeal and she was ill because of it.
They do get power mad, some members of the police force are like that, especially the new ones they don a uniform and think they can talk to you like dirt, thank goodness it all got sorted for you and Steve was none the worse for it.
Thanks, yes.