Claire | January 26, 2015
Just a few days ago, I wrote about Henry VIII being unhorsed by his opponent during a joust at Greenwich Palace on 24th January 1536, an accident which one source claimed led to the king being unconscious for over two hours. Whether or not the king was unconcious for that long, it was serious enough […]
Claire | April 28, 2014
Something was definitely brewing at King Henry VIII’s court in late April 1536. Two commissions of oyer and terminer had been set up, writs for Parliament had been issued and now the King’s council was meeting on a daily basis.1 Meanwhile, according to Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador, Sir Nicholas Carew was advising and coaching […]
Claire | April 18, 2014
On Tuesday 18th April 1536, the Imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, met Anne Boleyn in the chapel of Greenwich Palace. He had refused the offer of visiting Anne and kissing her hand, claiming that such “a visit would not be advisable” and begging Cromwell to excuse him, but the King had other ideas.1 George Boleyn, Lord […]
Claire | March 31, 2014
Thank you so much to Lauren Mackay for sharing her thoughts on Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial ambassador, with us today as part of her book tour. I’ve been corresponding with Lauren for a number of years and I’m thrilled that she’s written a biography on Chapuys, a fascinating man and an invaluable primary source. Over […]
Claire | November 19, 2013
On 19th November 1541, Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial ambassador, wrote to Emperor Charles V. His letter included what he’d heard about Queen Catherine Howard’s imprisonment: “The day before yesterday the admiral Fitz-William sent me word by one of my own secretaries, and yesterday the Lord Privy Seal confirmed the news, that this Queen had confessed […]
Claire | April 18, 2013
On this day in 1536, Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador, was tricked into acknowledging Anne Boleyn as Queen.Chapuys supported Catherine of Aragon and always referred to her as “Queen” and Anne Boleyn as either “the lady” or “the concubine”. He had managed to avoid acknowledging Anne’s status for three years but Henry VIII and Anne […]
Claire | June 15, 2012
On 15th June 1536, Henry VIII sent members of his council, led by Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, to visit his daughter, the Lady Mary, and bully her into accepting her father as supreme head of the Church in England and acknowledging that she was not the legitimate heir to the throne. Eustace Chapuys, […]
Claire | January 21, 2012
Today I will be raising a glass and toasting Eustace Chapuys, Imperial Ambassador, because on this day in 1556 he died in Louvain, the place he had retired to in 1549. He was laid to rest in the Chapel of Louvain College, the college he had founded. So, why am I going to be raising […]
