#knollys family

[katssimsdecades]

Fall - 1305

John made some toys for the twins. They seem to be doing good even though Alaric who is younger than Hugh loves to tease him.

Hugh enjoys hugging his twin no matter how he treats him.

Henry aged to infant.

(He survived his roll)

[historicconfessions]

[recycledmoviecostumes]

These amber necklaces made their first appearance in the 1998 film Elizabeth, where they were worn by several ladies-in-waiting, including Kelly Macdonald as Isabel Knollys (pictured) and Emily Mortimer as Kat Ashley. 

Because quite a few were made, all of the necklaces documented here may be "different," though they all clearly come from the same set. Thus, for the purposes of documentation, Recycled Movie Costumes considers them "the same."

In 2003, one of the necklaces appeared on the cover of Philippa Gregory's The Queen's Fool. In 2007, it was seen on another book cover - this time photoshopped red on Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor.

In 2009, the necklace was worn by Carice van Houten as Maria Oldknow in From Time to Time. 

In 2010, one necklace was worn by Joanne King as Jane Boleyn née Parker, Viscountess Rochford in the fourth season of The Tudors, and later that same year, two of the necklaces were worn by Fiona Hampton as Lady Matilda in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

In 2016, Claire Cooper was spotted wearing one of the pieces as Anne Boleyn in Six Wives with Lucy Worsley.

In 2021 it was worn in The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family on an extra playing Margaret of Austria, before being used in 2024's Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, where it was seen around the neck of Lilit Lesser as Princess Mary Tudor. 

[borgialucrezia]

Question!

I love The Borgias but in a way I’ve always found it hard to start The Tudors because for some reason I have a “feeling” that it is very different (though I think I am just attached to The Borgia family themselves ). Thoughts on The Tudors ? :)

obviously i'm obsessed with the borgias but i also find the tudors dynasty fascinating as well! (specifically when it revolves around anne boleyn, henry viii, elizabeth i, robert dudley, lettice knollys and amy dudley) i've had so much fun digging into the tudors lore! if you haven't seen the show 'the tudors (2007-2010)' then you really should! it's brilliantly written and natalie dormer as anne boleyn is a force, an absolutely phenomenal performance <3

[outrowingss]

I’ve always loved the Tudor era and history but mostly from afar. I just bought one of Alison Weir’s books literally yesterday and now I’m seeing that maybe she isn’t the most truthful… :( do you have authors you do recommend that are easily accessible? Or some favorite books for someone like me to get started?

Hi Anon!

I was an enjoyer from afar until very recently as well! I also started off with Alison Weir books and there’s nothing wrong with reading and enjoying her books, but just take what she says with a pinch of salt because she is a bit infamous for making things up.

To be honest most of my Tudor books are centred around Elizabeth I but i do have a couple of others! Estelle Paranque is one of my favourite historians when it comes to Elizabeth, her book Blood, Fire and Gold is pretty accessible, this book mainly focuses on the relationship between Elizabeth and Catherine de Medici (it is already out if you are in the UK and available in most Waterstones and i believe it comes out in the US next month?). I also like Elizabeth I by Anne Somerset, this one is sold by Amazon. Also Elizabeth: Apprenticeship by David Starkey is pretty accessible, unfortunately Starkey himself is a horrid racist but his research and work into the Thomas Seymour incident is some of the better accounts.

For non-Elizabeth, i quite liked Young, Damned and Fair by Gareth Russell, i don’t agree with all of his points but it is a good starting point if you want to look into Katherine Howard and is pretty accessible. The Seymour’s of Wolf Hall is also a good starting point for the Seymour family. Joanne Paul’s The House of Dudley is a fairly recent release and if you want to look into the Dudley family. I also really like Sarah Gristwood as a historian, her book Elizabeth and Leicester is great and she also has a newer book called The Tudors in Love. Nicola Tallis’ books are pretty accessible as well, i enjoyed her book Crown of Blood which is a biography on Lady Jane Grey, she also has biographies of Margaret Beaufort and Lettice Knollys which i have not yet read but they are on my TBR.

That’s all i can really think of just now i really hope i have not overwhelmed you hahah, if anyone else has any other accessible Tudor book recs please feel free to add.

[pastedpast]

A woman in the Tudor History group I'm a member of recently recommended to me what sounded like a very readable book about Catherine Parr, the wife who survived Henry VIII, written by an academic called Dr Elizabeth Norton. I name-checked her only yesterday when posting about the Elfrida book, not realising they were the same author. Turns out she's written several books about queens (link here). I will keep an eye out for her work in charity shop finds and, as she is also a broadcaster, also on TV documentaries. Nice one!

Will have a more in-depth look at the link later and add info re. each book to the 'queens an' tings' blog in more detail.

And talking of Tudor women, I've finally been getting to grips with a few Tudor men (not as exciting as that might sound!). Essentially, working out who's who in the Seymour and Dudley families.

Seymour - the queen Jane Seymour had three brothers:

Edward, 1st Earl of Somerset, a biography about whom I mentioned in a recent post, who became Lord Protector of England during the minority of his nephew Edward VI, who was eventually executed after being accused of treason by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.

Thomas, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, who was also executed for treason (and suspected of engaging in sexual relations with Elizabeth I when she was 14 and while she has married to Henry VIII's surviving wife, Catherine Parr).

Sir Henry Seymour - he was actually the second surviving son but I've placed him after Thomas on the list as he led a generally quiet life (although he was an MP at one point) living to a good age in relative obscurity.

The Seymour family lived at a large manor house called Wulfhall or Wolfhall, which was the inspiration for Hilary Mantel's prize-winning masterpiece, 'Wolf Hall'.

Dudley - the father-in-law, husband and brother-in-law of Lady Jane Grey.

John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. Married his son off to Lady Jane in the hopes of ruling by proxy via the young couple. Executed for high treason when Mary I took the throne. Had several children - so far I've only read about the following two.

Lord Guildford Dudley, husband of the young Jane - I need to read up more about him, I think he was only a year older than her and perhaps also a pawn in his father's plans?? He was too executed for high treason.

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester - he was older than Guildford and a favourite courtier of Elizabeth I, also sentenced to death for treason, but freed. I will read more about him later. I think he hoped to marry Elizabeth, but married someone else who later died in suspicious circumstances (was he accused of pushing her down a flight of stairs??) I think at one point Elizabeth suggested he marry Mary, Queen of Scots and they all live together - that way Elizabeth could maintain her unmarried status and therefore ensure her sole power, while keeping tighter reins on Mary by controlling her choice of partner, plus stay in close proximity to her favourite man - however, the plan came to nothing. He married many years later to a lady called Lettice Knollys, much to Elizabeth's displeasure. She is one of the subjects of my 'queens an' tings' project I will address in more detail later. [Her son, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, became another favourite of Elizabeth's later in life, but he was involved in a plot to try to oust her from the throne, for which he was executed by beheading in 1601].

The painting on the front of the book is 'The Cholmondeley Ladies', painted by an unknown artist circa 1600–10. Perhaps a strange choice as a cover seeing as Elizabeth died in 1603 and the throne was brought under the rule of the House of Stuart?

[thedudleywomen]

ON THIS DAY - 10 November 1565

On This Day (10 Nov) in 1565, Robert Devereux, later the 2nd Earl of Essex, was born in Netherwood, Herefordshire, the first son born to Walter Devereux, Viscount Hereford, and his wife Lettice Knollys, daughter of Sir Francis Knollys (Vice-Chamberlain of the Queen's Household) and his wife Catherine Carey (who that year had been promoted to Elizabeth's Chief Lady of the Bedchamber).

Walter and Lettice had married around New Year 1561, after meeting at court, where Lettice was in the service of Elizabeth I as one of her gentlewoman of the privy chamber. Following their marriage, Lettice left Elizabeth's employ, and the couple set up home at Chartley Manor, the Devereux family seat in Staffordshire, where they started a family - two daughters were born, Penelope and Dorothy in 1563 and 1564 respectively.

However, Lettice continued to attend court, and was present in the summer of 1565, when she was pregnant with her third child; it was during this time, that she was observed flirting with Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and Elizabeth's 'favourite', whom she would later marry in secret in 1578. Some date their relationship to this time; however, it is likely that the flirtation was intentional on Leicester's side, as he was actively seeking a response from the queen regarding offers of marriage. This appears to have been successful, as Elizabeth was said to have been jealous of Leicester's behaviour towards her younger kinswoman, who was described as "one of the best looking ladies of the court".

Despite the controversy over the summer, Walter and Lettice's baby was named after Robert Dudley, who was nominated as one of his godparents. Whilst he was born at Netherwood, one of the Devereux's properties, he was raised in Chartley with his siblings. His mother Lettice reportedly took an active role in his upbringing, and ensured that he received a Protestant education, as she had done. He was especially close to his older sister Penelope, their close relationship continuing through to adulthood.

[legends-of-time]

The Journey of Living at Downton

Chapter 13: October to November 1918

Masterlist

Emma is walking with Major Knollys and Lieutenant McGarel in the grounds of Downton when they pass Lady Mary pushing Captain Crawley's wheelchair across the grounds. She is assisting McGarel as he walks with a walking stick.

"Morning." Knollys greets. Emma nods and smiles at them.

After passing them, she glances back to observe them. Lady Mary seems to be looking after him a great deal and Emma wonders how Sir Richard is feeling about this. She hopes he isn't violent when jealous.

——

"I've never worked in a house where a valet and a housemaid were wed," Jane says as she sews in the Servants' Hall. Emma is leaning against the table next to her as she herself has a quick cup of tea.

"It'll be unusual, I agree," Anna replies from her seat across from Jane as she fixes a hat of Lady Mary's

"But lovely," Emma remarks, sharing a smile with Anna.

"Hope it doesn't break us up, having you two set apart in a home of your own all special while the rest of us muddle on for ourselves." Miss O'Brien says as she cleans some pearls next to Jane.

"You sound as if you're jealous," Anna remarks.

"I'm not jealous. I just don't want it to spoil things."

Emma smirks into her cup.

"Why? Because we've all been such pals until now?" Mr Bates says sarcastically from his seat next to Anna as he fixes collars.

"Well obviously. Haven't you noticed?" Emma jokes, grinning.

Daisy enters with a tray, a black mourning band on her arm. She sees them look at her for a moment and she exits without a word.

"Give her time," Anna says.

——

"I have something to confess," Sybil says approaching Emma as she tucks Captain Goodson into his bed.

"What?"

"I..." Sybil glances around. "Can we go somewhere private?"

"Of course." They go to one of the rooms downstairs being used as storage for Hospital equipment.

"I should have mentioned this before but..." Sybil begins. She frowns as if trying to think about how to word this correctly.

"Sybil..." Emma prompts.

"A few months ago Lieutenant Prior proposed to me."

Emma gasps. "Sybil, that's brilliant!" She wraps the other woman in a hug before pulling away with her hands still on her arms. "Have you said yes?"

Sybil is hesitant. "I've told him I'll think about it."

"Can I ask why?" Emma asks contemplatively, dropping her hands.

Sybil sighs. "I can't go forward with my life until the war is over. There's also my family and friends to think about."

"You worry they won't accept it, him." Emma realises.

"Due to his position, I'd have to give up my whole world. I might have to elope to even avoid them stopping us." Sybil rambles. Emma raises her eyebrows at the last bit.

"But can you imagine being without him?" Emma prompts.

Sybil chews her lip thinking for a moment. "No, no I do not think so."

"I think you have your answer then."

"Maybe you should take your own advice." Sybil remarks. Emma's eyes widen at that.

——

Daisy is pouring drinks as they settle in the Servants' Hall that evening. Anna and Mr Bates talking quietly between themselves on the opposite side of the table from where Emma sits between Thomas and Mrs Patmore.

"Not sure about what?" Miss O'Brien says loudly as she walks past them before sitting next to Jane on Mr Carson's left.

"What about you Sergeant? You started planning for after the war?" Jane asks over Gemma who sits between her and Thomas.

"Not really, not yet." He replies as he smokes.

"I know what you should be doing. I know what we should all be doing." Mrs Patmore pipes up from her seat on the other side of Emma.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Thomas asks.

"Hoarding. It may be wrong, but this rationing is starting to bite, even with everyone's books, I'd a battle to get enough sugar for this week."

Emma finds it odd that people seem to forget that rationing happened in the first war as well.

"Are you suggesting the black market, Mrs Patmore? I'm shocked." Thomas remarks.

"Oh, I doubt that very much." Mrs Patmore remarks as she leaves.

"She's got you there," Emma says.

"Maybe I should get involved in that," Thomas says stubbing his cigarette.

"Is that wise? That world can be a bit dodgy; you can't trust people." Emma warns him.

"I'm just thinking of making enquiries."

"Slippery slope Thomas. Slippery slope."

——

Sir Richard is looking for a place near Downton for him and Lady Mary to live once they are married. The one he is eyeing and talking Lady Mary to today is Haxby Park, which is owned by the Russel family but they seem to be selling the place after their son was killed and don't feel like continuing it on. Emma honestly doesn't blame them.

In the Ward, Emma spots the Major that requested to stay at Downton due to an apparent family connection, Patrick Gordon. He sits on his bed with the bandages covering most of his badly burnt face. She sees Lady Edith going around collecting letters and reaches the Major and whatever the Major says to her comes as a shock to her as she sits down seemingly processing whatever was said but Emma doesn't bother to find out what is going on there, though she's already seen him snooping around and looking at the family pictures.

She leaves the room to continue with her shift but later wanders back in to see them still talking and it looks serious. Emma knows that if it's anything significant she'll find out later.

——

Emma's heels click on the Garage floor and Mr Branson stops what he is doing to the engine under the car as she speaks.

"Looks messy." She remarks.

"It's not too bad." He gets up and walks to the bench. Emma wrinkles her nose and follows.

"Sure." Emma rolls her eyes.

"I thought you were avoiding me." Mr Branson says to her.

Emma walks purposefully forward. "I'm not." She is really, particularly after what Sybil had said. It scares her.

"But you haven't come up with an answer yet, have you?"

Emma ducks her head and stares at the floor chewing her lip before looking at him again. "Not yet, sorry. I know you want to take part in Ireland's troubles, and I get that. But I just can't think about everything, the future, until the war is over. It won't be long now. So, will you wait?"

"I'd wait forever."

Emma blushes. "I'm not asking for forever. Just a few more weeks."

——

That night Emma finds a distressed Anna on the stairs leading to the servants' bedrooms. Turns out Mr Bates' lawyer had called while Emma had been on her shift. Vera Bates has gone and told the judge that Mr Bates had paid her to agree to a divorce and Because they withheld it from the court, it means the judge can withdraw the decree nisi and Mr Bates is not divorced after all. This hasn't dissuaded Anna at all and she is more determined than ever.

"I'm sorry if it's a bit of a crush. I didn't want to be overheard." Lord Grantham had pulled the family into the Small Library before dinner the next day. However, Emma had been assisting Captain Crawley to the Drawing room before being told to push him into the Library, which ends up with her awkwardly standing in the room as Lord Grantham closes the door.

"I'm sorry this seems private, should I leave?" Emma asks. The Dowager, Her Ladyship, the three daughters, Mrs Crawley, Captain Crawley and Sir Richard are littered about.

She turns to go but Lord Grantham stops her. "No, it's all right Emma."

"Are we talking financial ruin? Or criminal investigation?" His mother asks, diverting the conversation back to why they're in the room in the first place.

"Neither." Her son replies. "I'll get straight to the point. We have a patient who has been badly burned who goes by the name of Patrick Gordon, but he claims to be Patrick Crawley." The room collectively baulks at that.

"But I thought he was dead. Didn't he drown on the Titanic?" Mrs Crawley protests.

"Well, of course, it is what we all thought until now."

"They never found a body." Lady Edith argues. Of course, she would argue in his favour.

"They never found lots of bodies." Her older sister counters.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm not quite on top of this. Who's Patrick Crawley?" Sir Richard asks.

"The man who would displace me as heir. If he's alive, then I'm no longer the future Earl of Grantham." Captain Crawley explains dejectedly

"It's ridiculous. How can it be true? Where's he been hiding for the last six years?" Lady Mary harshly demands. Emma can't help but agree. Where has he been?

"In Canada, suffering from amnesia." Lady Edith answers.

"He does have a story that would explain it. I'm not quite sure about how to test the facts." Her father adds.

"He knows all sorts of things that only Patrick, or someone very close to him, would know." The middle daughter continues.

"What a stupid thing to say. Any fortune teller at a fair comes up with a dozen details he couldn't possibly know." Lady Mary snaps fiercely. Emma is increasingly uncomfortable with being in this room.

"There's no need to be angry." Her mother placates. "This young man is either Patrick or he's not. There must be a way to find out. Is he like Patrick to look at?"

"He isn't like anything to look at." Her eldest remarks hardly biting back her anger. Emma herself had honestly not recognised him as the man she saw in the few years she was at Downton before the sinking of the Titanic.

"I've sent his account up to George Murray in London to ask for his advice." Lord Grantham says.

"But what a waste of time and money." Lady Mary attests.

Her sister has had enough. "What's the matter? We were all so fond of Patrick. You were going to marry him, for heaven's sake! Aren't you glad if he survived?"

"Dear me, should I be worried?" Sir Richard remarks casually.

"Certainly not. This man is a fake and an imposter, and I think it's a cruel trick to play when Matthew's been through so much." Lady Mary looks close to tears.

"My dear, don't be too quick to decide. You never know. This might be a blessing in disguise." Captain Crawley says bitterly.

"What do you mean?" His mother asks.

"Well, he seems a nice enough chap. He's not very pretty, of course, but he can walk 'round the estate on his own two legs and sire a string of sons to continue the line. All in all, I'd say that's a great improvement on the current situation." He bursts out before calming to a simmer. "Nurse Byrne, could I prevail on you to take me back to my room?"

Emma snaps to attention. "Right, yes." She hurriedly goes towards him to push him out of the room.

Sybil gets up and says, "I'll open the door."

What does this all mean for them now, Emma wonders to herself.

——

Emma learns from Mr Bates about Mr Carson being offered to work at Haxby when Lady Mary goes there when she is married. She feels sad as she knows that he will be considering he adores her. She can't imagine Downton without Mr Carson.

Everyone is in the Servants' Hall having their evening meal and lost in different conversations. Emma sits on the side of the table that is at Mr Carson's left opposite Mr Branson, who she tries not to stare at too much, and sits in between Jane and Gemma.

"A German republic?" Mr Carson replies to Mr Branson's talk. "No, I don't think so, Mr Branson. The Kaiser will go, I grant you, and maybe the Crown Prince, too, but there'll be a regency, mark my words. Monarchy is the lifeblood of Europe."

"Emma agrees with me." Emma looks up from her plate at the mention of her name from Mr Branson. "Don't you agree Emma?" Maybe she shouldn't have told him some of the things that she has.

"W-well I-I mean war kinda changes a lot." She stammers. Mr Carson huffs.

Mr Branson, bolden by her reply, turns back to Mr Carson. "Sorry, Mr Carson, but I think you'll find the kings and emperors've had their day, if President Wilson has anything to say about it." Emma smiles at him shaking her head.

"You're always going up and down to London these days, Mr Bates." She hears Miss O'Brien suddenly say. Emma looks to see her talking to Anna and Mr Bates. Why won't she leave them alone?

"I have business in London." Comes Mr Bates' short reply.

"Oh, yes? Well, judging by your expression, your business doesn't seem to be prospering." O'Brien remarks.

"The trick of business is mind your own." Anna quips.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I—" There's a great shuffling of chairs and silverware as they all stand at the sound of Lord Grantham's voice as he enters the room. "I've just heard the news from the war office and I thought you'd all like to know... that the war is over."

Everyone is rejoicing but Emma keeps quiet and still despite Gemma shaking her.

"Cease fire will begin at eleven o'clock on the morning of the eleventh of November."

"Why can't it begin now?" Mrs Patmore asks from next to Mr Branson and Daisy.

"The eleventh of the eleventh seems pretty tidy to me." Thomas remarks from the other side of Jane.

"We will mark the moment in the Great Hall, and I expect all of you, including the Kitchen staff and Hall boys, everyone, to be there. And Carson..." Lord Grantham motions for Mr Carson to step aside with him.

Mrs Hughes is asking for more glasses and Thomas is calling for a toast. Mr Branson looks at her and she blushes.

They all clink their glasses with each other's and drink a toast. "To peace."

Gemma looks at Emma. "You should be smiling more Emma! Are you not happy at the news?"

"No, no I am." She puts on a happier face because it is good news but she can't help but think about how all this leads to the next war and the horror that brings plus the Spanish flu is already spreading and will likely reach them soon.

——

Mr Bates went to London with a thunderous look on his face and Emma hopes that things will go okay though she knows that might be asking too much.

Emma walks past Lady Edith and Major Gordon in the Great Hall as she goes to another table to give Lieutenant McGarel his medicine. She hears them talking about the lawyer but then who else would they be talking about?

Suddenly Gordon slams the table making a large noise causing everyone to look over, including Emma.

"I'm a stranger to them now!" He shouts.

Emma shares a look with Sybil who is pouring some water into Captain Goodson's glass. Everyone quickly turns back to their own tables pretending as if nothing happened.

Lady Edith seems to be whispering some encouraging words to him but he doesn't look comforted.

——

Her job means she misses out on a bunch. Apparently, Mr Bates had returned and he was slightly bruised, implying the meeting with his estranged wife had not gone well according to Gemma who overheard the conversation between him and Anna. Emma worries about what'll happen next.

There's more on the Major Gordon front, which Sybil updated her on. Apparently, there are some aspects of Major Gordon's story that could be credible. One of the people that was pulled from the sea after the sinking was an unidentified man but there are conflicting reports on whether he died on the Carpathia or whether the man reached New York alive.

It gets confusing considering the fact that there was a Peter Gordon who worked with Patrick at the foreign office but then emigrated to Montreal in 1913. The question is on whether Peter then decided to impersonate Patrick or something. Honestly, Emma is a bit confused about the whole thing. Though she wonders if Lady Edith is unintentionally feeding Major Gordon information, which leads her to believe him more as he seems to be confirming her belief that he is Patrick Crawley.

That evening Sir Richard returns from London with a Miss Swire that's insistent on not letting Captain Crawley go. Emma wonders if this has something to do with Lady Mary spending so much time with him. She feels annoyed as whoever thought this was a good idea, she thinks Richard, didn't seem to think about Mathew's feelings though it could be Lady Grantham's fault as well as she was the only one that didn't look surprised at the sudden appearance.

——

Emma walks into the Ward the next day to find Lady Edith and Sybil sitting on Major Gordon's cot, where Sybil had been changing the sheets, with an open note in the former's hand. Emma cringes, the elder of the two had clearly just found out that Major Gordon had left.

""P" for Patrick or "P" for Peter?" Sybil is asking.

"I know what you think, but I don't accept it. We drove him away. His own family drove our cousin away." Her sister replies. Emma can't see her face but she can tell that she's upset from her words and tone.

"But you believed in him, whoever he was, and that's worth something." Her younger sister's words do not reassure her and Lady Edith leaves the room upset.

Emma watches her go before turning back to Sybil. "Did you believe him?"

"Well, I... I'm not sure..." Emma doesn't know whether to trust the response.

"Yeah, I'm not sure either."

——

Emma stands near the door to the Library in the Great Hall by Sybil, Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham, the rest of the Crawley family in the other corner with Sir Richard. A line of soldiers, including Thomas and Major Clarkson, on one side of the room opposite to the line of servants, linked with the family by Captain Crawley, with Miss Swire behind him. Lord Grantham stands at the front.

"I think while the clock strikes, we should all make a silent prayer to mark the finish of this terrible war, and what that means for each and every one of us. Let us remember the sacrifices that have been made and the men who will never come back, and give them our thanks." Lord Grantham speaks.

The clock chimes and the soldiers all stand (or sit) at attention. Emma feels odd doing something that is the first time for everyone around her but for herself she has done this every year of her life until she came to Downton. The eleventh chime fades and Lord Grantham relaxes.

"Thank you, everyone." The officers stand at ease. "Remember that this is not just the end of a long war, but it is the dawn of a new age. God bless you all."

Everyone departs and Emma sees Miss Swire begin to push Captain Crawley's wheelchair.

She goes over. "Why don't I do that."

"Can you get him back to his room? I'll open the door." Miss Swire walks off and Emma begins to push Captain Crawley's chair when the man is startled when they hit a slight bump in the carpet.

"My God."

Emma stops. "Something wrong, Sir?"

"No, nothing. Emma, if I felt..." He stops, not completing his sentence.

"If you felt what, Sir?"

"It doesn't matter. Not yet." Captain Crawley looks down at his legs. "Not until I feel it again."

What is he on about? He can't mean... but Major Clarkson said there was no chance of recovery! Captain Crawley is right though, they need to wait.

——

Mr Carson walks into the Servants' Hall and puts his hand out to stop them from fully standing. "Mr Bates, telegram for you." He hands Mr Bates the telegram and he opens it as Mr Carson sits in his seat.

It's obviously not good news by the look on his face as Emma watches him from her seat opposite, in between Mr Branson and Jane. Mr Bates glances at them all then hands the note to Anna, who sits next to him, as he leaves the table. She reads it.

"What was that about?" Thomas asks from his seat on the other side of her.

"His wife's dead." They all gape in shock. "Someone found her early this morning." Anna leaves, presumably going after Mr Bates.

"Well can't be sorry she's dead." Emma remarks and everyone looks at her wide eyed. "Bad time?"

——

A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[lionhearteddame]

Louvima Knollys grew up very close to the royal family. She was the daughter of Lord Francis Knollys that was a close friend of the British royal family. So close that he served as as Private Secretary to the Sovereign under both Edward VII (from 1901 to 1910) and George V (from 1910 to 1913).

In fact, Louvima was named after Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s children. ”Louvima” was created from the first letters of the names of Edward’s three daughters: Louise, Victoria and Maud.

1st and 2nd photographed with Princess Victoria of Wales in 1898

3rd is from 1897 dressed up as a page boy to Princess Alexandra of Wales later Queen Alexandra

[katssimsdecades]

Summer - 1302

Late one night Margaret realized that it was time for the baby to come. In the early morning little Hugh was born and then Alaric followed surprising them.

(Mom and twins survived their rolls)

[jezabelofthenorth]

i also think the secret tudor bastards thing that gets thrown around with whoever be it henry viii or elizabeth is due to the fact people don’t know or won’t acknowledge the english aristocracy shared a small gene pool, most of them were related to each other somewhere along the line and red hair is actually pretty common in britain (vs the rest of the world that is) and was even more so in the 16th century

[fideidefenswhore]

“For Elizabeth, life at Court was becoming a nightmare. Overwhelmed by a sense of her own helplessness, she asked permission to retire to her own estates rather than endure the traumas of family Christmas. Many zealous Protestants had already gone into exile, among them Lady Katherine Knollys, the daughter of Anne’s sister, Mary Boleyn. Elizabeth wrote to wish her cousin Godspeed. Devastated by the happenings at her sister’s court, she signed the letter ‘Cor Rotto’-- Broken Heart.

'Relieve your sorrow for your far journey with joy of your short return, and think this pilgrimage rather a proof of your friends, than a leaving of your country. The length of time and distance of place, separates not the love of friends, nor deprives not the show of good will. An old saying, when bale is lowest boot is nearest; when your need shall be most you shall find my friendship greatest. Let others promise and I will do, in words not more in deeds as much. My power but small, my love as great as them whose gifts may tell their friendship’s tale, let will supply all other want, and oft sending take the lieu of often sights. Your messenger shall not return empty, nor yet your desires unaccomplished. Lethe’s flood hath here no course, good memory hath greatest stream. And to conclude, a word that hardly I can say, I am driven by need to write, farewell, it is which in one way I wish, the other way I grieve. 

Your loving cousin and ready friend,

 Cor Rotto.’”

Perry Maria. 1990. The Word of a Prince : A Life of Elizabeth I from Contemporary  Documents

[grandmaster-anne]

1904: A royal family gathering at Mar Lodge in Scotland Back row, from left, Queen Alexandra, Louise, Duchess of Fife, Duke of Fife, The Hon. Charlotte Knollys, Cunningham Graham, King Haakon Children in the middle row, from left, Prince Olaf, Lady Alexandra Duff, Lady Maud Duff Front row, from left, Edward VIII, Princess Mary, and Princess Victoria, holding Prince Albert's hand. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

[recycledmoviecostumes]

This amber necklace made its first appearance in the 1998 film Elizabeth, where several copies were worn by ladies in waiting, including on Kelly Macdonald as Isabel Knollys (pictured) and Emily Mortimer as Kat Ashley. In 2003 it appeared in a photo on the cover of Phillipa Gregory’s The Queen’s Fool. In 2007 it was seen on another book cover - this time photoshopped red on the Alison Weir’s Innocent Traitor. In 2010 it was worn by Joanne King as Jane Rochford in the fourth season of The Tudors, and later that same year two of the necklaces were worn by Fiona Hampton as Lady Matilda in The Sarah Jane Adventures.  In 2016 it was seen on Claire Cooper as Anne Boleyn in Six Wives with Lucy Worsley.  Most recently in 2021 it was worn in The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family on an extra playing Margaret of Austria. 

Costume Credit: Ann-Mari, Cintia, f2473627, Kelsea, Lauren

E-mail Submissions: submissions@recycledmoviecostumes.com

Follow: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Note: A lot of people wrote in about this costume. I think I’ve got everyone credited, but in case I missed you, please let me know!

[pastedpast]

This post is about a lady from the sixteenth century called Amy Robsart and this small portrait may be of her. It is known as The Beaufort Miniature, because it was part of collection which belonged to the Duke of Beaufort until it was auctioned in 1983, and is thought to be by Levina Teerlinc, a **female** miniature painter (wow!) However, according to this blog the miniature may also be of one of my favourite historical figures, Lady Jane Grey.

Amy Robsart became Lady Amy Dudley when, in 1550, she married Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who is thought to have been a true love of Queen Elizabeth I. Sadly, Amy is primarily known for her fall down a flight of stairs in which she died, the circumstances of which have always been considered as suspicious. It was recorded as an accident, but it could have been suicide, or, she could have been pushed.

Acc. to good ole Wikipedia, the miniature belonged to the descendants of Lettice Knollys, Dudley's second wife. (There is no further info that I can find that links their family with the Duke of Beaufort).

Amy died in 1560, yet Dudley did not remarry until 1578. Was he waiting to see of Elizabeth would change her mind and marry him? When he did eventually marry again, his new wife was banished from court, reputedly due to Elizabeth's jealousy.

Info here about Levina Teerlinc from a blog I've just found called 'The History Jar' written by a published author called Julia A Hickey. I haven't had chance to read through it yet, am currently busy with other matters, but it's on the 'To Explore' list!

[thedudleywomen]

ON THIS DAY - 06 November 1543

On This Day (06 Nov) in 1543, Lettice Knollys was born at Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, Oxon.

Lettice was the 3rd child of Francis Knollys, one of Henry VIII's Gentleman Pensioners (Royal Bodyguards) and Catherine Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn, and cousin of the future Elizabeth I. The couple appear to have met at court in Nov 1539, as Catherine had been appointed as a lady-in-waiting to Henry VIII's new wife, Anne of Cleves.

Greys Court is a Tudor Manor House built on the manor of Rotherfield Greys; this manor was initially granted to Francis's parents Robert Knollys and Lettice Peniston by Henry VIII in 1514, for the annual rent of one red rose, payable at midsummer 🌹

Following Francis's marriage to Catherine in 1540, the couple were known to have taken up residence at Greys Court, granted to the couple by the King and an Act of Parliament, where they raised their young family - there would be a further 11/12 children born to the couple, including Elizabeth (b.1549) who joined her mother and older sister at court on the ascension on Elizabeth I in Nov 1558.

Francis and Catherine were supporters of the new Reformed religion, and welcomed the changes that came during Edward VI's reign. The Knollys children were educated at Greys Court, with tutors including Julins/Julius Palmer, a former fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, who was later burnt at the stake in Newbury, Berkshire in Jul 1556, following his conviction as a Protestant heretic, as a "sower of sedition, and a procurer of unlawful assemblie".

Following Mary I's ascension in Jul 1553, there were significant changes for the Knollys family, due to the introduction of Mary's Catholic policies. Francis leaves England for Geneva in Sep 1554, taking his eldest son Henry with him; his wife Catherine and the five youngest children later join them in 1557, and they spend the next couple years on the Protestant-friendly continent, only returning on the death of Mary, and accession of Catherine's cousin Elizabeth, with whom she has been close throughout her life.

Lettice does not appear to have travelled abroad with her parents, with speculation that she may have been placed within Elizabeth's household at Hatfield House during this period.