Simon Sandys-Winsch
@simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social
Author of the Illustrated Tudor Dictionary and history enthusiast
First, thanks to those who bought my book. It was a project of love and toil and I can't believe it's done so well. Second, a little quiz!
1 Which granddaughter of Edward IV was queen of France?
2 How was Jane Seymour related to Thomas Cromwell?
3 Who was voted the worst Briton of the 16th century?
1 Which granddaughter of Edward IV was queen of France?
2 How was Jane Seymour related to Thomas Cromwell?
3 Who was voted the worst Briton of the 16th century?
March 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
First, thanks to those who bought my book. It was a project of love and toil and I can't believe it's done so well. Second, a little quiz!
1 Which granddaughter of Edward IV was queen of France?
2 How was Jane Seymour related to Thomas Cromwell?
3 Who was voted the worst Briton of the 16th century?
1 Which granddaughter of Edward IV was queen of France?
2 How was Jane Seymour related to Thomas Cromwell?
3 Who was voted the worst Briton of the 16th century?
Just released in America! Contains 92 mini-biographies ranging from Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I to Thomas Cromwell, Drake and Margaret Beaufort. Entries, too, on Tudor life such as Marriage, Crime and Punishment and Education and many events such as battles, revolts and Evil May Day.
February 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Just released in America! Contains 92 mini-biographies ranging from Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I to Thomas Cromwell, Drake and Margaret Beaufort. Entries, too, on Tudor life such as Marriage, Crime and Punishment and Education and many events such as battles, revolts and Evil May Day.
(Left) Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife in 1540. Or is it? There are no verified images of her. Now thought to be Elizabeth Seymour (Jane Seymour's sister) or even Anne of Cleves. To me, there is a striking resemblance with Henry's fourth wife (right).
December 26, 2024 at 10:31 AM
(Left) Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife in 1540. Or is it? There are no verified images of her. Now thought to be Elizabeth Seymour (Jane Seymour's sister) or even Anne of Cleves. To me, there is a striking resemblance with Henry's fourth wife (right).
'And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.’
The first recorded use of the term 'Merry Christmas', in a letter to Thomas Cromwell from Thomas Mayhew, 1533. Yes,that's right - the famously phlegmatic Cromwell was the first to be officially 'merrified'!
The first recorded use of the term 'Merry Christmas', in a letter to Thomas Cromwell from Thomas Mayhew, 1533. Yes,that's right - the famously phlegmatic Cromwell was the first to be officially 'merrified'!
December 25, 2024 at 11:10 AM
'And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.’
The first recorded use of the term 'Merry Christmas', in a letter to Thomas Cromwell from Thomas Mayhew, 1533. Yes,that's right - the famously phlegmatic Cromwell was the first to be officially 'merrified'!
The first recorded use of the term 'Merry Christmas', in a letter to Thomas Cromwell from Thomas Mayhew, 1533. Yes,that's right - the famously phlegmatic Cromwell was the first to be officially 'merrified'!
Love letter no.15 from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn (1527?). In it he writes of his loneliness since her last visit and 'wishing myself in my sweetheart's arms whose pretty dukkys I trust shortly to kiss'. I'll let you figure out what 'dukkys' are!
December 24, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Love letter no.15 from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn (1527?). In it he writes of his loneliness since her last visit and 'wishing myself in my sweetheart's arms whose pretty dukkys I trust shortly to kiss'. I'll let you figure out what 'dukkys' are!
A primer presented to Elizabeth I by Sir Christopher Nugent in the 1560s to help her learn Irish. Elizabeth was a skilled linguist who could speak nine languages although one can't know how fluent she became in Irish.
December 22, 2024 at 9:37 AM
A primer presented to Elizabeth I by Sir Christopher Nugent in the 1560s to help her learn Irish. Elizabeth was a skilled linguist who could speak nine languages although one can't know how fluent she became in Irish.
My early Christmas present. Feel like a 5 year-old child on the morning of Christmas Day!
December 21, 2024 at 7:26 PM
My early Christmas present. Feel like a 5 year-old child on the morning of Christmas Day!
Jane 'the Foole', from Henry VIII's 1545 family portrait. Jane was probably a 'natural fool' meaning she had some mental disability. She sometimes performed with the more famous Will Somer who she may have married. Jane was Anne Boleyn's fool and later inherited by Catherine Parr and Queen Mary.
December 21, 2024 at 9:22 AM
Jane 'the Foole', from Henry VIII's 1545 family portrait. Jane was probably a 'natural fool' meaning she had some mental disability. She sometimes performed with the more famous Will Somer who she may have married. Jane was Anne Boleyn's fool and later inherited by Catherine Parr and Queen Mary.
The galliard. An athletic dance that involved many leaps and hops. Said to be Elizabeth I's favourite dance, one she practised as part of her morning exercise at least until 1589 when she was 56.
December 20, 2024 at 8:21 AM
The galliard. An athletic dance that involved many leaps and hops. Said to be Elizabeth I's favourite dance, one she practised as part of her morning exercise at least until 1589 when she was 56.
'Old Coppernose'. Henry VIII's nickname after the thin layer of silver upon his nose on testoons revealed the cheap copper beneath. The Great Debasement of the 1540s dramatically reduced the value of English coins leading to inflation, more poverty and social unrest at the end of the decade.
December 19, 2024 at 9:00 AM
'Old Coppernose'. Henry VIII's nickname after the thin layer of silver upon his nose on testoons revealed the cheap copper beneath. The Great Debasement of the 1540s dramatically reduced the value of English coins leading to inflation, more poverty and social unrest at the end of the decade.
A page from The Boke of Cokery, the first ever English cookbook. Published by Richard Pynson in 1500, the only surviving copy is in Longleat House, Wilts. Aimed at the nobility, its ingredients included peacocks, spiced wine, plovers, almond milk spiced with cumin and grains of paradise.
December 18, 2024 at 8:35 PM
A page from The Boke of Cokery, the first ever English cookbook. Published by Richard Pynson in 1500, the only surviving copy is in Longleat House, Wilts. Aimed at the nobility, its ingredients included peacocks, spiced wine, plovers, almond milk spiced with cumin and grains of paradise.
The portrait and printer's mark of Wynkyn de Worde. De Worde worked with Caxton in the 1480s to create England's first printed literature. He aimed for a mass market by producing cheaper, more popular books such as England's first book of Christmas carols (1521). Only a single page now exists.
December 18, 2024 at 8:53 AM
The portrait and printer's mark of Wynkyn de Worde. De Worde worked with Caxton in the 1480s to create England's first printed literature. He aimed for a mass market by producing cheaper, more popular books such as England's first book of Christmas carols (1521). Only a single page now exists.
John Dee(1527-1609). In my mind,the greatest Renaissance man of the Tudor age. An alchemist, astronomer, mathematician and antiquarian, he constantly pushed against the boundaries of knowledge but lacked official recognition. Many thought him a wizard and he probably inspired Shakespeare's Prospero.
December 17, 2024 at 9:27 AM
John Dee(1527-1609). In my mind,the greatest Renaissance man of the Tudor age. An alchemist, astronomer, mathematician and antiquarian, he constantly pushed against the boundaries of knowledge but lacked official recognition. Many thought him a wizard and he probably inspired Shakespeare's Prospero.
The Lord of Misrule. A Christmas festival when an ordinary commoner was elected leader of drunken festivities. Masters and servants would swap places, mock trials and punishments, feasts and parades occurred. Reached a zenith under Edward VI but eventually banned by the Church in the 17th century.
December 16, 2024 at 9:24 AM
The Lord of Misrule. A Christmas festival when an ordinary commoner was elected leader of drunken festivities. Masters and servants would swap places, mock trials and punishments, feasts and parades occurred. Reached a zenith under Edward VI but eventually banned by the Church in the 17th century.
All whiskers and no brain. That's my mog.
December 15, 2024 at 10:18 AM
All whiskers and no brain. That's my mog.
Brank's Bridle and drunkard's cloak. The former, considered a just punishment for nagging women, had a pointed metallic mouthpiece that caused continual salivation as she was led around on a leash. The latter publicly humiliated anyone found drunk and became much used in the 1650s Commonwealth.
December 14, 2024 at 10:56 PM
Brank's Bridle and drunkard's cloak. The former, considered a just punishment for nagging women, had a pointed metallic mouthpiece that caused continual salivation as she was led around on a leash. The latter publicly humiliated anyone found drunk and became much used in the 1650s Commonwealth.
The mysterious sweating sickness. There were five outbreaks between 1485 and 1551 in England before it vanished. Killing tens of thousands, usual symptoms inc shivering, hot flushes and sweats. Death came within hours. Cromwell's family, Henry Brandon's sons and maybe Prince Arthur were victims.
December 14, 2024 at 8:55 AM
The mysterious sweating sickness. There were five outbreaks between 1485 and 1551 in England before it vanished. Killing tens of thousands, usual symptoms inc shivering, hot flushes and sweats. Death came within hours. Cromwell's family, Henry Brandon's sons and maybe Prince Arthur were victims.
Apologies for the shameless marketing but it's finally coming out today!
December 13, 2024 at 8:24 AM
Apologies for the shameless marketing but it's finally coming out today!
The Mary Rose as depicted in the Anthony Roll of 1546. The anti-boarding nets were the main cause of around 500 deaths when it sank in the previous year but there's much debate over the cause of the disaster. Unruly crew? Top-heavy refit? Gust of wind whilst turning? French gunnery? All the above?
December 12, 2024 at 9:19 AM
The Mary Rose as depicted in the Anthony Roll of 1546. The anti-boarding nets were the main cause of around 500 deaths when it sank in the previous year but there's much debate over the cause of the disaster. Unruly crew? Top-heavy refit? Gust of wind whilst turning? French gunnery? All the above?
Margaret Beaufort. Patron of educational and religious institutions and the powerful mother of Henry VII. Her determination brought about the Tudor dynasty. Even Henry VIII based his first privy council on her wishes. This full size portrait (c. 1510) was unusual for a woman in those days.
December 11, 2024 at 9:19 AM
Margaret Beaufort. Patron of educational and religious institutions and the powerful mother of Henry VII. Her determination brought about the Tudor dynasty. Even Henry VIII based his first privy council on her wishes. This full size portrait (c. 1510) was unusual for a woman in those days.
An incredibly clever anamorphic portrait of Prince Edward in 1546 by the Flemish artist, William Scrots. It only makes sense when viewed from a very acute angle on the left or when reflected in a curved mirror. The intelligent boy prince was probably delighted by it.
December 10, 2024 at 9:19 AM
An incredibly clever anamorphic portrait of Prince Edward in 1546 by the Flemish artist, William Scrots. It only makes sense when viewed from a very acute angle on the left or when reflected in a curved mirror. The intelligent boy prince was probably delighted by it.
So clever. So funny.
December 9, 2024 at 9:29 AM
So clever. So funny.
'A Catte'. One of the many tapestries sewn by Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity in England. Her monogram is to the right of the cat's head. Much of her work is supposed to contain political messages. In this case, the ginger cat (Elizabeth I) is toying with a mouse (Mary).
December 9, 2024 at 8:31 AM
'A Catte'. One of the many tapestries sewn by Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity in England. Her monogram is to the right of the cat's head. Much of her work is supposed to contain political messages. In this case, the ginger cat (Elizabeth I) is toying with a mouse (Mary).
The Tide Letter, 1554. Lady Elizabeth begs her sister, Mary I, not to imprison her. She drew lines at end to prevent her enemies writing an incriminating postscript and wrote it slowly to miss the day's low tide that would enable a boat to take her under Tower Bridge to the Tower. Hence the name.
December 8, 2024 at 12:20 PM
The Tide Letter, 1554. Lady Elizabeth begs her sister, Mary I, not to imprison her. She drew lines at end to prevent her enemies writing an incriminating postscript and wrote it slowly to miss the day's low tide that would enable a boat to take her under Tower Bridge to the Tower. Hence the name.