Issue 4

One of the best surviving fragments of Henry VIII’s privy apartments at Hampton Court Palace, the “Wolsey Closet” provides a tantalising glimpse of how colourful and highly decorated those apartments were. Charles Farris explores the wonders of this small space, where nothing is as it seems.

Stained glass windows introduced light, dazzling colour and artistic creation into the cathedrals, churches, and later, houses, of the Early Modern period. They were also effective tools for conveying religious messages and royal propaganda in a time when a large proportion of the population was illiterate. Dr Emma J. Wells looks at the development and use of this iconic building material.

The English victory at the Battle of Flodden, led by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, and his sons, was a disaster for Scotland. Its nobility was decimated and their king, James IV, became the last reigning British monarch to be killed in
battle. Julian Humphrys explores Flodden battlefield and the bloody events that occurred there on 9 September 1513.

Although one of Henry VIII's smaller residences, Chelsea Manor had noteworthy associations with several Tudor queens, one of whom, Anne of Cleves died there. Dr Elizabeth Norton searches out what is known about the manor, which is now long gone, almost without trace.

In an age where much wealth was held in portable objects, the medieval and Tudor kings housed their jewels, plate and other valuables in jewel houses within their palaces. Dr Nicola Tallis looks at those jewel houses in which Henry VII and Henry VIII stored their treasures.

Melanie Backe-Hansen is an independent historian, author and speaker who specialises in researching the social history of houses, streets and areas across the United Kingdom. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, as well as a Member of the Royal Historical Society, The Society of Authors, and the Historical Writers’ Association.