Category: Tudor Times
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December 6 – The Feast of St Nicholas and the tradition of Boy Bishop

| December 6, 2022

December 6 – The Feast of St Nicholas and the tradition of Boy Bishop

Today is the Feast of St Nicholas, or to give him his full name, St Nicholas of Myra, the 4th century Bishop of Myra. On the Feast of St Nicholas in medieval and Tudor times, it was traditional for a “boy bishop” to be elected. This boy would undertake all of the duties of a […]

November 19 – A Catholic recusant and priest harbourer

| November 19, 2022

November 19 – A Catholic recusant and priest harbourer

On this day in Tudor history, 19th November 1587, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, an important member of the Catholic underground, Henry Vaux, died of what was probably consumption. The Catholic recusant and priest harbourer died at Great Ashby, the home of his sister, Eleanor Brooksby. Henry Vaux is a fascinating Tudor man. […]

Happy Halloween and Hallowtide

| October 31, 2022

Happy Halloween and Hallowtide

Today, the 31st October, is All Hallows Eve, which is more commonly known as Halloween. Halloween is the first day of Hallowtide, which also includes the Feast of All Hallows, or All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated on 1st November, and the Feast of All Souls, which is celebrated on 2nd November. Let me explain […]

Happy Easter to you all!

| April 17, 2022

Happy Easter to you all!

Happy Easter to those celebrating Easter Sunday today. Here, in my village in Spain, we have the Quema de Judas, the burning of Judas. A huge “tree” is built in our square out of wood and dressed with branches and greenery, with fireworks stuffed in it (health and safety doesn’t really come into it) and […]

Good Friday – How Anne Boleyn might have marked it and how it was commemorated in Tudor times

| April 15, 2022

Good Friday – How Anne Boleyn might have marked it and how it was commemorated in Tudor times

Today, is Good Friday for many Christians around the world – although not for members of the Orthodox Church. Good Friday is the day when Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. Many people will be going to special church services today, or special processions (I’m going to one!), and […]

Happy Easter to you all!

| April 4, 2021

Happy Easter to you all!

He is risen! Happy Easter! On Easter Sunday in medieval and Tudor times, the candles in the church and around the Easter sepulchre were extinguished, and then the church lights were re-lit by the priest, from a fire. The sepulchre was opened, and Christ’s resurrection was celebrated with a special mass. The Easter Sunday mass […]

The Secrets of the Rainbow: Medieval Artists’ Pigments by Toni Mount

| March 15, 2021

The Secrets of the Rainbow: Medieval Artists’ Pigments by Toni Mount

A big thank you to historical novelist and historian Toni Mount for joining us today with a guest article. This is a stop on her blog tour celebrating the launch of her latest Seb Foxley medieval murder mystery. I had access to an advance reader copy and I have to say that it’s my favourite […]

Shrovetide, Shrove Tuesday, Pancakes and more

| February 16, 2021

Shrovetide, Shrove Tuesday, Pancakes and more

Happy Shrove Tuesday! Yes, it’s time to enjoy those rich foods before Lent, if you do abstain or fast. I thought I’d help you enjoy this day with some interesting videos and yummy recipes… In this video, my faithful canine friend, Teasel, helps me to explain Shrovetide and how medieval and Tudor people celebrated it: […]

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