Getting to know you...Serenity1971 ( Archived) (95)

The story of Elizabeth's entry into the Tower is an interesting one. She was deathly (pun intended) afraid of the Tower, probably thinking of her mother's fate in that place, and when she was told she would be entering through Traitor's Gate, she refused to move. She had been secreted to the Tower in the dark so as not to raise the sympathy of supporters. That night was cold and rainy, and the Princess Elizabeth sat, soaking wet, on the stairs from the river to the gate. After her governess finally persuaded Elizabeth to enter, she did so and became yet another famous prisoner of the Tower of London. Elizabeth stood in grave danger as her very existence was considered a threat to the Queen and to the Spanish marriage. Renard urged her execution. But the lack of evidence against Elizabeth, Wyatt’s declaration of her innocent as he went to the block, and Elizabeth’s increasing popularity (the crowds greeted her with warm cheers and gifts) worked in her favor. Elizabeth was no longer seen as a significant threat when Mary had become pregnant, and she decided that Elizabeth should no longer be kept in the Tower of London in 1554 she was sent to the palace at Woodstock starting on 19th May. The first night of the journey was spent at Richmond, the second at Windsor and the third at West Wycombe with Sir William Dormer. The following night was spent at Rycote with Sir John Williams of Thame and she arrived at Woodstock on 23rd May. On the return journey from Woodstock to Hatfield Elizabeth may have spent the night at Ascott Manor again under the auspices of Sir William Dormer. Mary Tudor was nearly 40 years old when the new of her "pregnancy" came. After a few months, her belly began to swell, but no baby was ever forthcoming. Some modern historians think that she had a large ovarian cyst, and this is also what lead to her failing health and eventual death in Nov 1558. On her deathbed and at her husband’s request, Mary reluctantly accepted Elizabeth as heir to the throne. After Elizabeth, the most powerful claim to the throne resided in the name of Mary, Queen of Scots, who had not long before married Francois, the French heir to the throne and enemy of Spain. Thus, although Elizabeth was not Catholic, it was in Felipe and Spain’s best interest to secure her accession to the throne, in order to prevent the French from obtaining it. (It is hard not to feel the love in this family. Mary's father threatened her with execution. Mary put her own sister, Elizabeth in the Tower and Jane Seymour was executed.)

So now I know who to blame, lo. Geneaologist know how to carry a grudge for centuries.

What kind of leisure activities do you enjoy?

Hope Rob likes bubbles. lol

hehe

In the best interest of this thread........................sure.