Tuesday 24 December 2013

A Very Merry Christmas to all!


Looking forward to a new year with all my favourite blogs - Kathryn's addictive Edward II (whose posts have changed from Thursday to Sundays now - yes, I noticed the difference! ), Kasia's The Young King which has renewed my interest in the Anjevins, and Gabriele's informative posts about periods of history I know little about and always has the best photos.   Keep on blogging in 2014!

Sunday 22 December 2013

A little bit of festive fun....


A few years ago I did a spoof post dedicated to Piers Gaveston’s 12 Days of Christmas, in which he listed all his presents from Edward II  here, So this year, it’s Edward’s turn to list his presents from Piers, who obviously doesn’t have as much money as Edward but knows him really well!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent to me a miniature portrait of himself – how thoughtful of him, as he knows how much I love to gaze upon him.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent to me a rather rude joke about Thomas of Lancaster inside a cracker – hilarious! And too rude to repeat here!

On the third day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to me a book entitled ‘Thatching Made Easy’ – he’s just so thoughtful!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to me some soothing hand balm, to use after a hard day’s thatching.  How sweet of him!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to me the bill for his new purple silk tunic.  I don’t mind of course – purple does suit him so well, and purple silk is just so expensive – especially with ermine trim.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to Isabella the wrong directions for Langley, which means she arrived the day after Boxing Day.  I know I shouldn’t laugh, but, well, I just can’t help it!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent to me a dog collar for Guy of Warwick – ok, a bit cheeky, but surely Guy can take a joke.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent a matching dog tag for the collar, with Guy inscribed on it!  Guy seems to have lost his sense of humour!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent to me a fine pair of oars, with the royal crest on them.   He says he’s looking forward to me using them, rowing for all I’m worth, shirtless, down the Thames with my muscles on view! 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love, Piers, sent to me a poem about said muscles.  It must remain private I’m afraid.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to me some forks which he says are for eating pears.  I think it’s another of his jokes.

On the twelfth  day of Christmas, my true love, Piers sent to me the key to his room – so I’m off now to find him!  Merry Christmas!

 

Monday 2 December 2013

The tomb of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales

I've visited Worcester Cathedral many times, and always like to spend some time in Prince Arthur's Chantry.  It is a magnificent piece of architecture for a young man who promised so much and died early.  He's mostly remembered today for his short marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who went on to marry his younger brother after Arthur's death.  The nature of their marriage became very important later in the reign of Henry VIII, when he divorced Catherine on the grounds the marriage of Arthur and Catherine having consummated their marriage.  This discussion still continues today.  Here's a link to my earlier post on Arthur - who was far from the sickly youth portrayed in later generations.

Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales

Here are the pictures from my latest visit.  One of the figures surrounding the Chantry is allegedly Edward II.  The figures were defaced in the reign of Henry VIII's son, Edward VI.

 The chantry itself was constructed away from the cathedral and installed on top of previous tombs.


 The defaced figures inside the chantry - which one is meant to be Edward II?

 Prince Arthur's tomb.  Recent research has discovered the vault beneath the chantry where Arthur's remains are buried.  It's a 'double vault', but contains only one set of remains.  There was no effigy - it's likely the tomb had a brass placed on top of it.
 A copy of the original window from Malvern Priory.  This copy was added in 2002 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Arthur's death.
 Taken from the chantry, this tomb is for Gruffydd ap Thomas and his wife.  Gruffydd asked to be buried near the prince he so loyally served.  The tomb also contains the remains of his wife.

The brass on top of the tomb of Gruffydd ap Thomas is a copy of a lost original.