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The Tudor Era
Welcome to The Tudor Era.
Well met, M’Lords, M’Ladies, good gentles, all!
Herein find a forum for the discussion of all subjects pertaining to that period of English history known as Tudor. From 1485 to 1603, England was ruled by the family Tudor. Beginning with Henry VII., who wrested the Crown from Richard III. at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and ending with the Reign of the most extraordinary, Queen Elizabeth I., the Tudor Dynasty stands as one of the most interesting periods of England’s great history. The continued success of every film, and written account, concerning the Tudors and their Era, reflects the hold upon which these Monarchs, and the Tudor period, have upon our imagination.
From the discussion of the lives of the Tudor Monarchs, to the daily lives of the common people, to discussions of films viewed, and books read, let us share our knowledge and interest in this Era with all and sundry!
Please, no advertising. Do feel free to enhance your posts with images and links to Tudor information, pertinent to your posting subject.
'Greensleeves'-Composer Unknown
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1970 Release-The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Produced by the BBC and starring an excellent English cast, this award winning mini-series, dramatizing the marriages of Henry VIII in six individual 'plays', is an absolute must-see for any Tudor fan. The series is careful in detail, and most importantly, deals with Historical fact, not La La Land dazzle, and history-tweaking. It is one of the most accurate portrayals of this particular period you are ever likely to see on film. 
I've been re-viewing the series at this time, and find it as enjoyable as ever, and Keith Michell (pictured) is just excellent, in his portrayal of Henry. If you have interest in viewing the series, you may rent it at NetFlix:The Six Wives of Henry VIII
In Touch WIth Jeannine
Imagine the Young Henry VIII...
St. George's Day, 1515, at the Palace of Richmond, upon the Thames, the Venetian Ambassador Pasqualigo and his company arrive for an audience with Henry VIII, having been transported to the palace via a magnificent barge sent by the King for the purpose. Below is Pasqualigo's description of Henry and the scene of the Royal audience at Richmond:'This vessel conveyed us to the said palace of Richmond, where they led us into a sort of hall, and though it was before mass, they made us breakfast, for fear we should faint; after which we were conducted to the presence, through sundry chambers all hung with most beautiful tapestry, figured in gold and silver, and in silk, passing down the ranks of the body-guard, which consists of three hundred halberdiers in silver breast-plates and pikes in their hands; and, by God, they were all as big as giants . . . We at length reached the King, who was under a canopy of cloth of gold, embroidered in Florence, the most costly thing I have ever witnessed. He was leaning against his gilt throne, on which there was a large gold brocade cushion, where the long gold sword of state lay. He wore a cap of crimson velvet, in the French fashion, and the brim was looped up all around with lacets, which had gold enamelled tags. His doublet was in the Swiss fashion, striped alternately with white and crimson satin, and his hose were scarlet and slashed from the knee upwards. Very close round his neck he had a gold collar, from which there hung a round cut diamond, the size of the largest walnut I ever saw, and to this was suspended a most beautiful and very large round pearl. His mantle was of purple velvet, lined with white satin, the sleeves being open, and with a train verily more than four Venetian yards in length.
This mantle was girt in front like a gown, with a thick gold cord, from which there hung large glands entirely of gold, like those suspended from the Cardinals' hats; over his mantle was a very handsome gold collar, with a pendant St George, entirely of diamonds. On his left shoulder was the garter, which is a cincture buckled circular-wise, and bearing in its centre a cross gules on a field argent; and on his right shoulder was a hood, with a border entirely of crimson velvet. Beneath the mantle he had a pouch of cloth of gold, which covered a dagger and his fingers were one mass of jeweled rings.'
“His Majesty is the handsomest potentate I ever set eyes on; above the usual height, with an extremely fine calf to his leg, his complexion very fair and bright, with auburn hair combed straight and short, in the French fashion, and a round face so very beautiful, that it would become a pretty woman, his throat being rather long and thick. He was born on the 28th of June, 1491, so he will enter his twenty-fifth year the month after next. He speaks French English, and Latin, and a little Italian, he plays well on the lute and harpsichord, sings from book at sight, draws the bow with greater strength than any man in England, and jousts marvellously. Believe me, he is in every respect a most accomplished Prince; and I, who have now seen all the sovereigns in Christendom, and last of all these two of France and England in such great state, might well rest content, and with sufficient reason have it said to me, ‘abi viator, sat tuis oculis debe’ (go home traveller, your eyes have seen enough).
This young King Henry surely must have been a magnificent sight to behold!
In Touch With Jeannine
New FIlm to be Released 2009-Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots
This film is due for release in 2009, and stars Scarlett Johansson in the title role. The film will focus on Mary's relationship with Elizabeth I.
Welcome New Members
Well met, Espirit and HelenClare, welcome to the Tudor Era group. I so hope you will enjoy sharing your interest, knowledge, and insight, concerning the Tudor Monarchs and their era.
La Volta!
Painting, by unknown artist, circa 1600, depicting Queen Elizabeth I doing a leaping turn of the dance, 'La Volta', assisted by the Earl of Leicester
La Volta-from the Italian 'the turn' or 'turning'
Variations in spelling include: Lavolta, Lavatoe, and Levalto
A couples' leaping and turning dance, a peasant dance, originating in 16th-century Italy, that became popular at French and German court balls until about 1750. The dance was performed with what was for the times, a notoriously intimate embrace. It was considered respectable enough to perform, in England, after Queen Elizabeth I performed the dance, at Court, with Sir Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester.
The dance, a more energetic version of the galliard, is set to music in 3/4 time, and composed of hops, steps, leaps, and turns. The gentleman assists his partner with her high jumps, by holding her close with his left hand above her right hip, his left thigh against her right thigh, and his right hand firm against the stiffened busk below her bosom. The busk, or busc, was the front part of the corset stiffened with either wood, horn or whalebone. The lady holds her partner's back or shoulder with her right hand, and keeps her dress from flying up with her left hand.
In Touch WIth Jeannine
Vivid Names of Period Clothing Colors
Raiment Right RareThanks to a number of excellent resource materials, the names of many of the Tudor Era cloth colors are now known. Such vivid and interesting names these color shades were given! While many of the names have been thoroughly researched as to hue, others yet remain a mystery.
A few of Edward VI's favorite colors 1547-53 were, Incarnate (RED), Carnation (Resembling the color known as RAW FLESH), Blod, Turkey, and Sea-Water, are also listed as Edward's colors of choice, though no definite description of their hue has yet been discovered.
Mary I's favorite colors from the year 1554 include Ruby, Crane (GREYISH WHITE), and Old Medley.
Color names popular during 1559 include Brasell, Celestial, Clay, Drake, Flybert, Horseflesh, Marigold, Meal, Palme, Pearl, Soppes-in-Wine, Syamon, and Turtle.
From 1580-1620 we have a more detailed list of colors, a few of which are:
Bristol Red: A 'pleasant' Red
Dead Spaniard: Pale Greyish Tan
Orange Tawney: Orangish Brown
Popinjay: Bluish Green
Isabella: Light Buff
Lustie-Gallant: Light Red
Murrey: Purplish Red
Milk and Water: Bluish White
Hair: Bright Tan
Gingerline: Reddish Violet
Goose-Turd: Yellowish Green
One of the most popular colors during the reign of Elizabeth I was Coventry Blue.
Resources:
Costume in England: A History of Dress, by F. W. Fairholt
Costume in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries, by M. Channing Linthicum
Color Names Throughout the Centuries, by P. Ladnier
In Touch With Jeannine
David Starkey's Documentary-Margaret Beaufort
Enjoy this documentary on the mother of Henry VII.,Margaret Beaufort. An extraordinary woman!
In Touch With Jeannine
In Touch With Jeannine
Sundry Recipes for the Tudor Woman
Pharmaceutical jar, designed for the storage of wet concoctions, circa 1575-1580To perfume Gloves
Take four Grains of Musk and grind it with Rosewater, and also eight
Grains of Civet, then take two spoonfuls of Gum dragon steeped all night
in Rosewater, beat these to a thin Jelly, putting in half a spoonful of
Oil of Cloves, Cinamon and Jessamine mixed together, then take a Spunge
and dip it therin, and rub the Gloves all over thin, lay them in a dry
clean place eight and forty hours; then rub them with your hands till
they become limber.
A very good Perfume to burn
Take 2 ounces of the Powder of Juniper Wood, 1 Ounce of Benjamin, one
Ounce of Storax, 6 drops of oil of Limons, as much oil of Cloves, 10
grains of Musk, 6 of Civet, mold them up with a little Gum dragon
steeped in Rosewater, make them in little Cakes, and dry them between
Rose Leaves, your Juniper wood must be well dried, beaten and searced.
To make a Paste to wash your hands withal
Take a Pound of bitter Almonds, blanch them and beat them very fine in a
Mortar with four Ounces of Figgs, when it is come to a paste, put it
into a Gallipot and keep it for your use; a little at a time will serve.
To take away the Signs of the Small Pox
Take some Spercma-ceti, and twice so much Virgins Wax, melt them
together and spread it upon Kids Leather, in the shape of Mask, then lay
it upon the Face, and keep it on night and day, it is a very fine Remedy.
For Morphew, or Freckles, and to clear the Skin
Take the Blood of any Fowl or Beast, and wipe your Face all over with it
every night when you go to bed for a fortnight together, and the next
day wash it all off with White Wine, and white Sugar Candy, and
sometimes hold your face over the smoke of Brimstone for a while, and
shut your eyes, if you add the Juice of a Limon to the white Wine, it
will be the better.
Recipes from: The Queen-like Closet or Rich Cabinet, by Hannah Wolley
In Touch With Jeannine
