Mary Queen of Scots

Volumes of dialog have filled the pages of history regarding this Queen of the Scots.  She occupies a role in the history of ideas surrounding the religious beliefs of the day.  For my own family history (genealogy) she plays a significant part in one historical event called "The Babington Plot".  [One of my family members was "hanged, drawn, and quartered" as a result.]  Her story is told in many references.  A brief account is:

A biography by N. Brysson Morrison is a 254 page account of her life.  It is intended for the "general reader" with an interest in this period of time.  It was published in 1960 by The Vanguard Press, Inc., NY.  It is written by a novelist and fellow Scot.

Now a much more detailed account can be found in the following:

It is a 595 page account of the life and times of this controversial figure. [Chapter 24 is titled "The Babington Plot"]  The author, Antonia Fraser,  writes that one of her aims of the book:

 "...I wished to test for myself the truth or falsehood of the many legends which surround her name".

Published and unpublished sources, including Mary's own letters, are included.  [Primary documents indeed.]  Illustrations are given to the number of 46.  References and notes are extensive.

The book was first published in England by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1969.    Truth or falsehood, one must decide for themselves.

Danger

From 1492, the western nations of the world began their "name it and claim it" enterprises.  Religious beliefs were accepted, and served as a major driving force to those adventurers seeking their claim to fame.  [Either in Heaven or on Earth.]

In 1493, the head of this driving force [Alexander VI] could arrange "all lands" to those nations already leading this new exploration. [Spain and Portugal]  Of course, those left out in the cold were to express different opinions regarding the "name" and the "claim" of this new world. 

As time progressed, the Religious beliefs fragmented along the lines of what became called "Protestants" and "Catholics".   It was the "Tudor" age that was to make the most of these differences, changing the Catholic world in England, and beginning an all out war between the nations, and people, that followed each belief system.  It was this division that came to my attention as I climbed my own family tree.  For, my family was "Catholic" in a "Protestant" world.  This produced a great deal of issues for all involved.  The following book discusses some of these factors in the reign of Elizabeth I.

It is titled "Danger to Elizabeth" and is written by Alison Plowden.  It helped introduce me to the concerns of  what became a "Catholic" underground in a predominant "Protestant" world.  It seemed that many in my family participated in a number of events that were to impact their lives and  fortune.

It was first published in 1973 by Stein and Day/ Publishers/Scarborough House, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
The subtitle is "The Catholics under Elizabeth I".  Little did I know in 1973 [being Protestant and not meeting a Catholic until high school] that this would become part of my families' story. 

The Queen

Elizabeth  Tudor [1533-1603] had quite a life.   Here is a picture of her face taken from the frontispiece of the book by J.E. Neale titled Queen Elizabeth.    His text states that this painting is from Accademia di Belle Arti, Siena.  You can tell it was fairly early in her reign.  Her eyes seem to penetrate from the page.  I just thought you might like to see her face to face.

As stated last post, she has received much print.  The book by J.E. Neale, Harcourt, Brace and Co., Inc., N.J., 1934 is another reference that gives a detailed account of this Queen.

It begins with the Seymour family, and through the next 22 chapters it tells much of her story. [total = 393 pages]  It is a great reference for those who want a little more detail without all the references.  The book was written for the occasion of the fourth centenary of her birth.  A celebration of sorts it is.  The author states: "...the public is the body of lay men and women interested in a great historical personality."  Are you interested?

Gloriana

Perhaps no other English Monarch has receive more press then Elizabeth I. [Except maybe her father Henry VIII.]  She reigned during a time of religious, social, economic, and political change, but managed to keep things held together.  This was in spite of the fact that most during this period of history felt a "woman" would never be able to handle the pressures that surrounded the nation of England.  Her reign of 44 years [1558 - 1603] left many eating their crow. 

The book by Mary M. Luke gives a very readable account of this Elizabeth I.

First published in 1973 by Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, Inc., NY, it gives the life and times of Elizabeth I.  Written from a author who spent extensive time researching this period of Tudor history, she provides a well written history.  My own family's story is involved in this period, but "on the wrong side of the fence" as some might say.  [Catholic and strong supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots.]

A quote given in the text on p. 20:

"... I have the heart of a man, not of a woman, and I am not afraid of anything..."  Wow...Gloriana!

England's First Anointed Queen

No monuments exist remember this first anointed Queen of England.  To some, her anointing was a miracle in answer to their prayers.  To most, she became a symbol of dread. 

Her story is told in the text shown above.   Written by Carolly Erickson, and first published in 1978, it presents the period of English history that reflects conflict between the Church of Rome and a recently separated Protestant nation.  The complexity of this conflict present the genealogist with a bundle of "brick walls".   My own Jones family participated in a number of ways during this reign.  Understanding this context removed several brick walls for my own tree climbing.   Her reign [1553 - 1558] would make her " a symbol of tyranny".  Which side of the fence did your family reside?  Understanding this reign helped me connect all kinds of branches on my own family tree.  This book provides a window into this period of time.

Published by Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, NY, 1978

Age of Plunder

Social and economic factors play an important role among our ancestors.  Understanding these factors often help clear the branches as we climb out the family tree.  The early Tudor period  reflects many of the social and economic concerns that those of Welsh descent had to face and adjust.  The following book by W.G. Hoskins is a good source for understanding the social dynamics that were to play an important role.

Rural society and urban life was the norm for most of those living during this time.  Wealth was distributed along social roles and status.  Understanding this structure will help the genealogist expand their grasp of this transitional period in Welsh and English history.  Tables and figures present a host of information such as the distribution of the population in England 1524 - 1525, the distribution of wealth among certain counties, the leading trades, and for those from Wales, the annual prices of livestock between 1500 - to - 1558.

The book was published by Longman Group Limited 1976, NY.  It is an interesting find for those who's family crosses these paths.

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.