the TUDOR TUTOR » Edward VI

Guess Who I Ran Into Today!

barbalexander — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:05:09 +0000

As I turned a bend in one of the galleries at Washington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art this morning, I ran into a familiar face!

(click for a larger view)

Hans Holbein the Younger whipped up this portrait of toddler Eddie VI in around 1538.

The text translates to “Little one, emulate thy father and be the heir of his virtue; the world contains nothing greater. Heaven and earth could scarcely produce a son whose glory would surpass that of such a father. Do thou but equal the deeds of thy parent and men can ask no more. Shouldst thou surpass him, thou has outstript all, nor shall any surpass thee in ages to come. By Sir Richard Morison.”

He is holding a golden rattle, what every baby needs! The gold accents in the painting really stand out and add some nice texture to this regal portrait. Little Ed is the only Tudor I ran into on the main floor of the National Gallery but next time I go I will explore the lower floor for more of our favorite family.

After You, Who?

barbalexander — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:33:44 +0000

Here’s a stellar 5:40 bit from Showtime on life after Henry VIII . He was a tough act to follow, for sure, but someone had to do it! Take a gander at how the succession went for the remainder of the Tudor period.

Ye Olde Christmas Workout

barbalexander — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:40:05 +0000

Image by AlicePopkorn via Flickr

It’s about time for another Tudor Christmas factoid and I couldn’t resist this one: The boy king, Edward VI, passed a law back in 1551 declaring that everyone had to walk to church for Christmas services. Easy for him to say, as he probably just woke up Christmas morning and padded down the warm hall in his comfy slippers to attend Mass at that palace’s in-house chapel. Fortunately for his subjects, he didn’t live long enough to create too many more inane laws, as he died two years later.

The kicker? This law is still in effect today. Wonder how many still heed it?