The Tudor Age

For more than a century, 1485 - 1603, the Tudor family reigned on the throne of England.  It certainly was "The Tudor Age".  Welsh connections to the first Henry Tudor places many of Welsh descent on some of the family tree branches.  Such is my own family. 

Understanding this time in an ancestor's life helps place the factors that played a dominate role in their existence.   Shirts, hats, hose, and all kinds of items are discussed in the book by Jasper Ridley titled:
"A Brief History of The Tudor Age". 

Some 344 pages [which some may not consider brief], present topics ranging from "The Tudor Family"...to..."Heretics and Traitors"...to..."The Houses", "Costume and Fashion", "Furniture and Food"...to..."Ships and Voyages"...and all kind of religious, political, and social stuff.  Some of my family would fall under "Heretics and Traitors", but hey, genealogy sets the historical records straight.

The book was first published by Constable and Co. Ltd, in 1998.  This paperback is published as "First Carroll & Graf edition, 2002".  A fun read for those who like to color their family history pages.

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!

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.