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.

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.