The Privy Purse Expenses of King Henry VIII from November MDXXIX, to December MDXXXIINicolas, Nicholas Harris, Sir
History
The Privy Purse Expenses of King Henry VIII from November MDXXIX, to December MDXXXII
Nicolas, Nicholas Harris, Sir
Henry VIII, King of England, 1491-1547; Prices -- Great Britain; Royal households -- Great Britain
In August in this year, her future elevation became so certain that
the wife of one of the most distinguished courtiers of the time, in
imitation of the example set nearly two years before by the Mayor of
London, endeavoured to propitiate her favour by a present; as on the
17th of that month, Lady Russell, afterwards Countess of Bedford sent
her a stag and a greyhound, which she gave to the King, who ordered
40_s._ to be paid to the servant who brought them. On the 1st of
September, Anne Boleyn was created Marchioness of Pembroke, and on the
19th of that month, the Master of the Robes was paid for stuff which
was delivered to her servant, probably for the costume in which she
appeared at the ceremony; and about a fortnight afterwards certain
silks were provided by him for her apparel, the costs of which were
56_l._ She accompanied Henry to Calais in October, 1532; and her
reception by Francis the First as well as the prominent part which
she performed in the festivities that attended the interview between
the two Monarchs, are fully described by Hall. From these Accounts we
learn that the Great Master sent her a present of grapes and pears at
Calais on the 14th of October; that on the 11th of November, fifteen
shillings were paid to her which she had won of Henry at cards at that
place; that on the 20th a few days after her return from France, she,
Sir Francis Bryan and Sir Francis Weston, formed a party with the King
at Pope Julius' game at Stone Castle in Kent; and again on the 25th,
26th and 31st at Greenwich, on which occasions his Majesty was as usual
unsuccessful; that on the 28th she won 11_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ of Henry
at Cards; and on the 25th of December more stuff was bought for her
clothes. It is to be observed, that according to some authorities,
Anne Boleyn was privately married to Henry, early in November, 1532,
immediately after their arrival at Dover from Calais; but nothing is to
be found in these accounts either corroborative of, or contradictory
to, the assertion. During the three years the whole sum expended for
her clothes, &c. was 468_l._ 6_s._ 1_d._, and within the same time she
received in money 218_l._ These sums are not, it is true, remarkable
for their amount, but they are sufficient to shew the manner in which
she was treated by Henry, and the place which she occupied in his
affections. Before concluding these observations relative to this
celebrated woman, the singular manner in which her sister and herself
are described must be pointed out. Until December, 1530, she is merely
spoken of as "my Lady Anne," but from February to May, 1531, with one
exception, she is called "Lady Ann Rochford," though from that time
until her creation to the Marquisate of Pembroke, she is again styled
"Lady Ann," after which event she is mentioned either as "my Lady
Marquess," or "my Lady Marquess of Pembroke." Her sister Mary too,
though married, is called Lady Mary Rochford. Rochford was the title of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account