(no subject)

June 19th

Died on this day in 1500 aged 1 Edmund Tudor , Duke of Somerset (my toy,wikipedia). Younger brother of Henry VIII, died at 15 months.

Born on this day in 1566 to Henry Stuart,Lord Darnley and Mary Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland & I of England (my toy,wikipedia). During James' reign Scotland and England were separate countries, run separately. It was not until the Act of Union under Anne that they were joined together. James was brought up Protestant, and saw little of his (Catholic) mother who was imprisoned in Scotland before escaping to England where she was imprisoned and then executed. In Scotland under James many women were executed for witchcraft, and the Highlanders were persecuted. In England he faced a number of rebellions, including the attempt to blow up parliament which we now commemorate by setting fire to stuff on the 11th of November.

(no subject)

Died on this day in 1837 aged 71 King William IV of the United Kingdom (my toy,wikipedia). 3rd son of George III, he succeeded his brother George IV as King. As William had no legitimate children who survived him he was succeeded by his niece Victoria, daughter of his younger brother, but by his younger-still brother in Hanover (because Salic law). He lived for many years with Mrs Jordan, an actress, but later married Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen as he had run out of money and needed an advantageous match the marriage seems to have been happy for all that it was arranged, but they had no children who lived long (oh, and she sorted out his over-spending habits).

Born on this day in 1389 to King Henry IV of England and Mary de Bohun, John Lancaster , 1st Duke of Bedford (my toy,wikipedia). John was regent in France for his young nephew Henry VI. He continued the fighting of the 100 years war, and had Joan of Arc executed. His second wife was Jacquetta of Luxembourg, mother of Elizabeth Woodville (by her second husband) (Elizabeth was Edward IV's wife, note the switching of sides from Lancastrian to Yorkist).

(no subject)

A different sort of history waffle.

Have just returned from Kentwell where I have been living (mostly) in the 16th certury for the last week. Much fun was had. But I'm enjoying sitting on chairs with proper backs... Sadly we were much reduced, since the Tudors are no longer a core part of the National Curriculum for primary schools, and only had 1 week rather than the usual 3.

Have I missed anything frightfully interesting?

If you are ever in Long Melford the Melford Valley Tandoori is very excellent.