Desperate Times

Desperate times frequently produces desperate actions.  These actions usually cause a cascade of desperate reactions.  Henry VIII was desperate to have a male heir.  His actions produced a host of activities that even today make one wonder how it was all possible.  One of these "reactions" has come to be called "The Pilgrimage of Grace". 

These events describe in the book written by Geoffrey Moorhouse, is a discussion of these events in a easy reading text.  Robert Aske was one of the key figures in leading this rebellion.  It was a reaction to some of the desperate actions taken by Henry VIII to dissolve the Monasteries.  My interest was related to my own family tree climbing, and trying to break through some of those genealogical "brick walls".  My JONES family became connected to the Aske family of Aughton.  This relationship was important in helping me sort through several of the branches of my family tree.  The record of these desperate times gave me an understanding of my own family history.

The book was first published in Great Britain 2002  The paper back edition, as shown above, was first published by Phoenix in 2003.  Little known to most folks, the book provides a door into the mind of the times which has been called "The Pilgrimage of Grace"...certainly desperate times.

Edward VI

The Celtic chromosome saw its last days during the six year reign of Edward VI.  His young life [died at age 15 years] intertwined with a number religious, social, and economic concerns.  He was a pawn between a group of individuals seeking to advance their own goals.  The book by Jennifer Loach is a good example, and broad discussion of this period in time.

To be raised a protestant, he became a instrument of many to achieve these ends.  However, his half-sister Mary was to follow him, and attempt to return things back to the Catholic faith.

The book is published by Yale University Press, New Haven and London in 1999. The social and religious transition is an important issue in many among the branches of my own family tree.  Understanding this important period in history helped me around a number of brick walls.

A Celtic Chromosome Continues

The political and cultural dynamics of the next Celtic chromosome were to change the course of English history.  The Welsh Y-chromosome passed down from Henry VII to Henry VIII can not be denied its place in history.  The following book by Neville Williams presents the story surrounding the court life of Henry VIII during his long and event filled reign.

Tree climbing [doing genealogy] during this period of English history, from the Welsh connections to this Y-chromosome, is certainly a challenge.  Many of my families connections to the Tudor court are involved in this process. [Many brick walls included here.]  An understanding of this convoluted  period of ones' family history is enjoyable.

First published in 1971 by the Macmillan Company, NY, it contains 48 pages of color plates and around 150 illustrations in black and white. [Love the color plates!]  Check it out.  A lot of Celtic chromosomes are involved here.

A Celtic Chromosome

The battle of Bosworth field would not have occurred if it were not for those Celtic chromosomes.  Owen ap Meredith ap Tudor was to pass his Y-chromosome down the line to a fellow named Edmund Tudor.  In turn, this Y-chromosome would be passed along to a fellow named Henry Tudor who started all these events leading to Bosworth field.  Henry VII he was to become.

The book shown above is a detailed account of the events surrounding this Celtic chromosome.  S.B. Chrimes was a Professor of History in the University of Wales, at University College, Cardiff.  Hum...a Welsh scholar writing about a Welsh Y-chromosome.  The University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, published this text in 1972.  The establishment of the "Tudor Dynasty" is the focus.

My own family tree intertwines among these branches, it being a Celtic chromosome.  Richard ap Howel of Mostyn, John Savage, and Rhys ap Thomas all played some role in these events.  What a deal!  These Celtic chromosomes were to continue among the branches.  Have a read.

Bosworth Field 1485

The dynastic conflicts between the families of York and Lancaster were ultimately decided on the 22nd August 1485.  Perhaps no other single battle has risen to the top from which Medieval England was transformed to Tudor England.

The Wordsworth Military Library published the book titled: "Bosworth Field & The Wars of The Roses", by A.L. Rowse.  [Cover shown above.]  The author states in his preface that history should be view as "...an important branch of literature."  A good read it is.

Of course, the Welsh were deeply involved in the advancement of the Tudor cause.  My own family history is interwoven here, and its story is wrapped among these pages of history.  [Owen Tudor had a little bit to say about all this Welshness.]

The book was first published in 1966, and republished in 1998.  A wonderful piece of literature it is.

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You may not use the contents of this site (blog and post) for commercial purposes without explicit written permission from the author and blog owner.  Commercial purposes includes blogs with ads and income generation features, and/or blogs or sites using feed content as a replacement for original content.  Full content usage is not permitted.

Jerry E. Jones, MD, MS, The Jones Genealogist.  Library of Congress No. 6192-01061064476. 

Flower Power 1377 - 1485

A rose by any other name will still be a rose, so Shakespeare would say.  The historians would ultimately differ as to what name this period in history should receive, but hey... "The Wars of The Roses" it has come to be known.  The following book is a brief and very readable account of this period following the death of Edward III.

Written by Charles Ross and first published in 1977 by Thames and Hudson, NY, it is a well written summary of what as "by tradition" came to be name "The Wars of The Roses".  There are lots of illustrations (126), and lots of pictures, giving a visual addition to the story.

The "Houses of Lancaster and York" they were.  Years 1377 to that battle as Bosworth Field in 1485.  Red rose verses white rose...hum...certainly flower power.