#(lancelot de carles also maintains that she kept up with her studies during this time; even tho her formal education had officially ended | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fideidefenswhore · 6 months ago

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Mary wrote to Cromwell on 26 May [1536]. Even if this were in response to Lady Kingston's visit, the speed with which Mary sought reconciliation with Henry demonstrates her genuine belief that it had been Anne keeping her father from her. According to Chapuys, the letter in no way resembled the draft Cromwell had drawn up. Mary apologised for her bad handwriting, saying she had written very little for over two years and was only able to do so now, because Lady Kingston had given her means. Since we know she had communicated regularly with Chapuys, she was either lying, or her messages to him were verbal. We also know she had sent letters to Mary of Hungary and Gattinara [...]

The King's Pearl: Henry VIII & His Daughter Mary, Melita Thomas

#yeah; this letter is a very interesting example of self-fashioning...#the image she's crafting to present to her father is one of the humble penitent #ie it's imperative to suggest wherever she can that all she has done is follow his instruction #even tho we know that's likely not the case #melita thomas #(lancelot de carles also maintains that she kept up with her studies during this time; even tho her formal education had officially ended #which would also suggest otherwise...re: 'not having means to write'#)(and we know she sent at least one letter to the emperor; too)#and that she managed to transcribe a letter chapuys believed anne boleyn or anne shelton had contrived to leave behind in the chapel #for her to find #and send it to him

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