Category Archives: John Dudley

Living on The Strand

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Christine Hartweg

The Elizabethan aristocracy, when in London, resided on the Strand. If you could afford to live in one of the former bishop’s palaces between the street called The Strand and the bank of the Thames (and rebuild them) you had … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Dudley, Elizabeth I, family & marriage, John Dudley, Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Banquet Massacres

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Christine Hartweg

On 7 October 1551, Sir Thomas Palmer came to visit the Earl of Warwick in his garden to deliver “a very fair” gold chain, a chain of office which went with the rank of duke. For only four days later … Continue reading →

Posted in Edward VI, John Dudley, Sir Robert Dudley, sources & historians | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sir Clements Markham on John Dudley

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Christine Hartweg

Sir Clements Markham (1830–1916) was Secretary and later President of the Royal Geographical Society, a sailor, explorer and geographer, but also a prolific author and translator. Friends of Richard III will always love him for his 1906 biography, Richard III: … Continue reading →

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The Sieur de Vieilleville’s Memoirs – A 16th Century Fake?

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Christine Hartweg

The French ambassadors, who in early 1547 observed the strange habits of the English when serving their monarch at table and spoke to a mysterious but very outspoken English nobleman, were led by François de Scépeaux, Sieur de Vieilleville, who … Continue reading →

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How Henry VIII Got Rid Of His Wives

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Christine Hartweg

We left the Ambassador Extraordinary of France, François de Scépeaux, Sieur de Vieilleville, and his companions at the court of Edward VI in early 1547 amazed at how English noblemen behaved towards their sovereign; they even knelt when serving the … Continue reading →

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Why the English Serve Their King on Bended Knee

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Christine Hartweg

A few weeks into the reign of Edward VI, in early 1547, a French embassy arrived at the English court. They stayed for six days. François de Scépeaux, Sieur de Vieilleville (1509–1571), the special ambassador, was received by the Duke … Continue reading →

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Robert Dudley’s Noble Ancestors

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Christine Hartweg

According to the book Leicester’s Commonwealth (written in about 1584 by angry Catholic exiles), Robert Dudley had “but two ancestors”. Those being his father, John Dudley, and his grandfather, Edmund Dudley. John Dudley in turn became Viscount Lisle, Earl of … Continue reading →

Posted in Edmund Dudley, errors & myths, family & marriage, Jane Dudley, John Dudley, Robert Dudley | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lady Jane Grey TV Series

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Christine Hartweg

England’s Forgotten Queen: The Life and Death of Lady Jane Grey, a new TV documentary in three parts, will air on 9, 10, and 11 January on BBC Four. The programme is presented by historian Helen Castor, and a handful … Continue reading →

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18 August 1553: The Duke of Northumberland’s Trial

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Christine Hartweg

The trial for treason of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, took place on 18 August 1553 at Westminster Hall. The Spanish merchant Antonio de Guaras may have been an eyewitness. Guaras lived in London and “spoke good English” according to … Continue reading →

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20 July 1553: The Duke and Dr. Sands at Cambridge

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Christine Hartweg

On 20 July 1553 John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, arrived with an army at Cambridge, returning from the venture to capture Mary Tudor (who had proclaimed herself Queen of England). Cambridge had been a stop on the duke’s progress to … Continue reading →

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