#OTD 11 May 1536

King's council arrived The Tower of London instructed to use any means to extract #AnneBoleyn 's confession
Expecting a terrified prisoner instead they found the self-assured Queen holding out her hand to be kissed before bidding them begin their business
#strongwoman

#OTD 10 May 1509
Edward Stanley was born

Created 3rd Earl of Derby aged 13 when #HenryVIII took responsibility for his care

He was among the peers tasked with delivering the news to Pope Clement VII that Henry had divorced #KatherineofAragon

He would serve 4 #TudorMonarchs

#OTD 9 May 1538

#JamesV of Scotland & #MariedeGuise , both widows were married by proxy, their wedding followed in June
Their 2 sons James & Robert tragically died with hours of one another in April 1541
Their 3rd child, born days before James died, would become #MaryQueenofScots

#OTD 421 years ago there was a new #King in town!

James VI of Scotland arrived in London to claim the English crown becoming King #JamesI of England too

#ElizabethI had named him heir prior to her death 2 months earlier

#TheStuarts
#KeepitStuart
#17thCentury

#OTD 7 May 1535

#JohnFisher , in an effort to avoid looking at odds with #HenryVIII & thinking silence to be safe, still refused to acknowledge him as 'Supreme Head of the Church'
Tricked by #RichardRich who asked his true feelings in strictest confidence - it would not end well!

#OTD 6 May 1541
#HenryVIII proclaimed that an English Bible be made available in every church in the land

'the Byble of the largest & greatest volume to be had in every churche'

The Coverdale Bible based on Tyndale's work was compiled by #KatherineParr 's almoner Myles Coverdale

#OTD 5 May 1586

Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, Marches of Wales President died
Companion to #EdwardVI serving 3 #Tudor monarchs, married #MaryDudley (sister to #ElizabethI ’s favourite Robert) a rare love match she died 3m later
Buried Penshurst Place & Ludlow Castle

#OTD 3 May 1536

Thomas Cranmer wrote to #HenryVIII about #AnneBoleyn ’s arrest

I am clean amazed, for I had never better opinion of woman; but I think your Highness would not have gone so far if she had not been culpable

Clearly shocked he was careful not to criticise the King!

... 2/2
#OTD 1536

The day before #AnneBoleyn had been at the #Mayday Joust Royal Museums Greenwich oblivious to the drama unfolding

Henry had left suddenly, she would never see him again

Her prize so hard won now slipped through her fingers

Little did she know just how long she had left

#OTD 2 May 1536
#AnneBoleyn was arrested & taken to the The Tower of London
On arrival she collapsed, demanding to know the location of her father & brother
Unbeknown to her, 'swete broder” George along with #HenryNorris , #FrancisWeston & #WilliamBreton had also been arrested
1/2 ...

HAPPY #MAYDAY
Traditional celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning of a May Queen & dancing around the Maypole
It marks the beginning of summer, although it does not officially start until June
May Day celebrations have been enjoyed in England for 2 millennia
Early Dance Circle

2of2

Despite the encounter with #HenryNorris being an act of 'Courtly Love' the vultures were circling

This innocent exchange & that which led to #MarkSmeaton 's arrest would soon be used to bring down a #TudorQueen & have devastating consequences for others!

Queen Anne Boleyn

#OTD 30 Apr 1536
A musician #MarkSmeaton was questioned by #ThomasCromwell & he confessed to a sexual relationship with #AnneBoleyn
The previous day she had said to #HenryNorris
“You look for dead men's shoes, for if aught came to the King but good you would look to have me”
1/2

#OTD 28 Apr 1603
#ElizabethI was buried Westminster Abbey

One of our greatest monarchs ruling 45yrs
Her death at 69 ended 118yrs of #Tudor rule

Dying without issue the #VirginQueen was succeeded by the son of her once rival the #ScottishKing #JamesVI & I of England uniting the two crowns

#OTD 26 Apr 1540
#CatherineCarey , daughter of #MaryBoleyn & 1st husband #WilliamCarey (?) married #SirFrancisKnollys

1st cousin to #EliabethI the 2 women were close

Despite a 13yr age gap the couple appear to have been very happy & produced 15 children!

youtu.be/5NH4ZpQlFyQ

#OTD 25 Apr 1544
#KatherineParr anonymously published her 1st book Psalms or Prayers
Her next 2
Prayers or Meditations
Lamentations of a Sinner
were published under her name becoming the 1st published Woman & only Queen of England to do so
Sudeley Castle Elizabeth Fremantle 💙🧡 #Disobedient #Firebrand #Firebrand

#OTD 24 Apr 1558
#MaryQueenofScots , 15 & François, 14 The French Dauphin were married Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Mary's white wedding dress surprised all, highly unusual white was seen as the colour of mourning in France

The couple had just 2 years together before François' untimely death

Happy #StGeorgesDay

A day when traditionally new appointments are made to the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England

You can see their badges on displayed at St George's Chapel within Windsor Castle

#StGeorgesDay 2024
🐲⚔️🐲

#OTD 23 Apr 1616
#WilliamShakespeare died aged 52 believed also to be his birthday!

Remembered as one of the most influential #Elizabethan playwrights, poets & actors, arguable the greatest English writer of all time!

His legacy lives on!

Hollow Crown Fans #ShakespeareSunday

#OTD 22 Apr 1451
#IsabellaI warrior Queen of Castile was born

Reigning over a unified Spain with her husband #FerdinandII of Aragon
Pious & devout yet unafraid to ride into battle it is evident where daughter #KatherineofAragon qualities originated

Died aged 53 Medina del Campo