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A Parakito for the Queen — Sir John Gilbert

February 14, 2025

In the spring of 1596 Sir John Gilbert presented Queen Elizabeth I with an exotic gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was responding to a request from Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary of State, conveyed by his brother Adrian. Queen Elizabeth apparently heard that Sir John had a 'parakito'. Parrots and parakeets were rare and desirable at this time, and the queen wanted one for herself.

The record does not tell us what species of parrot, parakeet or macaw, was involved. The photo shows a …

Caps, Kerchers and Coifs

October 27, 2024

16th century women’s informal and workaday headgear

Most of the familiar portraits of sixteenth century women show wealthy individuals, dressed in their best, wearing elaborate headdresses in a variety of styles. Sometimes some hair shows at the front, as with the French hood below, while with other headdresses, like the English gable hood also shown, the hair is completely out of sight. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The expectation that women of …

The Countess’ Room and the ghosts of Dartington Hall

October 27, 2024

Every old house has its fair share of ghost-stories, chilling tales that are handed down through the generations, told and re-told by the fireside on dark winter nights. Dartington Hall, with its long and rich history, is no exception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People have lived here amongst the rolling Devon hills since ancient times. One notable family, the Champernownes, made their home here for over 450 years.

Sir Arthur Champernowne, Vice Admiral of the Fleet of the West, and an …

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.

September 02, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre by Francois Dubois (c 1572-84) image sourced via Wikimedia Commons

Sir Francis Walsingham, the English Ambassador to the French Court, sent a letter to Sir Thomas Smith, the Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth I, on 2 September 1572. In his letter, Walsingham used the typical diplomatic language, but there was one passage where he couldn't hide his anger.

Walsingham  doubted the King’s promise that his troops would punish those who killed the three Englishmen. He …

A visit to St Faith’s Church, home of the Bacton Altar Cloth

July 28, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Faith's Church Bacton, Herefordshire

The charming little church of St. Faith’s, Bacton, stands high above a valley carved out by a meandering river. The Dore flows from the foothills of the Black Mountains to merge with the River Monnow, which then joins the majestic River Wye.

The name Dore may derive from a Welsh word, ‘dwr’ which means water. But the Normans interpreted it as the French word ‘d’or’ meaning golden, and it became known as “The Golden Valley.” …

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