Hair of a Tudor

The hair in the locket to the left belongs to Mary Tudor, who was Queen of France for a short while. Born as a Tudor, Mary was the daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York - consequently making her the sister of Henry VIII and Arthur. The hair is the notorious Tudor-red that is said to have been a trademark of the Tudors - both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were famous for their copper-red hair.

The hair was taken from Mary's tomb in 1784 on September 6th when her tomb at St. Edmundsbury was opened for the first time ever since it was interred after Mary's death.

Wolsey's Portable Sundial

It is a bit difficult to see what that golden thing to the left actually is and when it was made it was quite a marvel as well. It is a portable sundial that belonged to Cardinal Wolsey. The symbol of the Bishop of York and Wolsey's "Cardinal" symbol is engraved on the sundial.

At the time of its creation, technology was fascinating and many people were very interested in every science imaginable. It can only be imagined that the sundial is such an object that Henry VIII would have confiscated when Wolsey fell from power and the King confiscated the Cardinal's belongings.

Elizabeth I's Bedspread

This bedspread was used by Elizabeth I when she visited Berkeley Castle in 1572. Allegedly she left several items there including the bedspread and a pair of gloves.

Elizabeth never visited Berkeley again - perhaps the reason for this was that she disliked the owner. Henry Berkeley was in the middle of legal feud with the Lisle family and involved the crown - obviously to Elizabeth's irritation.  

Mary I's Psalter

This Psalter was made in the 13th century but it is unknown what happened to it until 1553 where the customs officer Baldwin Smith presented it as a gift to Queen Mary I.
Mary valued the book highly and had it rebound with her device, the pomegranate, which she had adapted after her mother. The pomegranate is sewn with golden thread on a velvet background.

The Psalter is far from the ordinary Psalters. It contains many illuminated parallels - all done by the same artist. The book contains more than 800 illustrations that are beautifully executed. The clasps are engraved with Tudor emblems of fleur-de-lis, portcullis, a lion and a dragon - this was to make it clear that it was the Queen's personal belonging.

Henry VIII's New Year Lists

Surprisingly enough - two of Henry VIII's New Years Lists has survived to this present day! The first is from 1534 and the second is from 1539 - just five years between them but it made a huge different to Henry's personal life which can be seen in the receiving names on the lists.

1534

The first list is Henry VIII's New Year List for who he was sending New Year-presents in 1534. But there is one person whose name is clearly missing from the list - Princess Mary or Lady Mary as she would be at that time. She still refused to accept her father's marriage to Anne Boleyn and thusly she is not included in her father's list - apparently he would not even send her a single present. The King's personal signature is clearly written as the very first name on the list and can also be found further down the scroll.

The second list is written by Henry VIII of the people to whom he would give New Year presents that year. The list is written around New Year's Day and is ranked from the most important to the least important. Some familiar names pop up when reading the scroll. At the top of the list was the "Lord Prince (Edward), the Lady Mariee (Mary) and the Lady Elizabeth" -

1539

all three children were in the succession at the time. These three royal children are followed by a long list of bishops and after that the lords, duchesses and countesses.

Bed head of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves

This bed head was designed for Henry VIII's unsuccessful marriage to Anne of Cleves. It was made in England in 1539 but since the marriage was broken up six months later it probably was not used for some time. It is currently held by a museum in Glasgow.

The description in the middle panel is describing Henry VIII as the King of England and France, Lord of Ireland and head of the Church of England. The left panel bears the royal motto, Dieu et mon droit (God and my country) and the right panel has the initials of Anne and Henry surrounded by sign of fertility.

Elizabeth 1's Locket Ring

This ring was worn by Elizabeth 1 until the day of her death and when her courtiers removed the ring they discovered that it was a locket. The two pictures depicts Elizabeth herself (lower portrait) and her mother, Anne Boleyn (upper portrait). Ever since Anne Boleyn's execution she had almost never been talked of. Elizabeth herself could not mention her mother in public since her death had caused such great scandal and her name had been tarnished ever since.

The ring itself is made of mother-of-pearl  and is adorned with rubies. On the lit there is an "E" written with diamonds.

Close-up of the two portraits

Catherine Parr's Prayerbook

This prayerbook belonged this Henry VIII's last wife, Catherine Parr. She was a Protestant and believed strongly in the religious reforms - something that would lead her dangerously close to the scaffold. The book is currently held by Sudeley Castle.
It has been speculated that the Queen actually wrote the text herself but this has never been confirmed - it would seem like something Catherine would do, though.

Edward VI's Snuffer

This snuffer belonged to Edward VI in his short reign as King of England. The emblem of Edward VI is engraved on the snuffer along with the words: "God save the Kynge" and "Edwars wythe all his noble council".
The snuffer belonged to Edward Seymour (brother of Edward's mother, Jane Seymour) and he passed it on to his nephew.

Christening Gown of Elizabeth 1

This beautiful christening gown was worn by Elizabeth 1 when she was christened in 1533. The embroidery is sewn by her mother, Anne Boleyn, who never saw her daughter grow up.