Grenadier A Fruit Doux, From Traite Des Arbres Fruitiers, After P. Jean Turpin, 1807-1835, Minneapolis

Grenadier a fruit doux, from Traite des Arbres Fruitiers, after P. Jean Turpin, 1807-1835, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Prints and Drawings

No. 22 Size: 12 ½ x 9 ½ in. (31.75 x 24.13 cm) (plate) Medium: Hand-colored stipple engraving

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/72678/

In a letter to her father in March [of 1509], Catherine broke down and told him she could no longer combat the petty persecutions of Henry VII. Only recently he had told her he was under no obligation to feed either her or her attendants; he added spitefully that her food was being given to her as alms.

Antonia Fraser

What has been overlooked, however, is that in the same conversation, Cromwell claimed that it was a prophecy made in Flanders ‘threatening the king with a conspiracy of those who were nearest his person’, which had ‘roused his suspicion and made him enquire into the matter’. This suggests that Anne was not simply the victim of a pre-planned attack, but rather that Cromwell undertook an investigation into Anne’s circle based on a prophetic warning of danger to the king.

Andy Holroyde

History Meme: List of Favorite Women throughout History–Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of France & England (c. 1122 – April 1, 1204)

Although Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and later England, lived at a time when women as individuals had few significant rights, she was nevertheless the key political figure of the 12th century. At the age of fifteen she inherited one-quarter of modern-day France, but since women were thought unfit to rule, her land as well as her person were delegated to the custody of men. Her whole life thereafter became a struggle for the independence & political power that circumstances had denied her, although few of her contemporaries could realized this.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Biography by Marion Meade

Among the little crowd that watched her go on board stood Eustace Chapuys, but she did not recognise him; it must have been some years since they had met, and besides he was in disguise; one would be glad to know what disguise. But he saw her, and reported in demure diplomatic style to the Emperor that it had been “a pleasure to see such excellent beauty and heroic bearing. Behind the words, and behind his daily cheering letters to her, behind all his passionate labours in her behalf, there was perhaps more than political feeling. It almost seems as if the Savoyard was the only man who ever felt for Mary a touch of romantic devotion, half for her royalty, half for her womanhood.

Prescott- Spanish Tudor (via lovelyladymarycrawley)

Dr de Puebla provided a convenient scapegoat for Catherine at all times when the real culprit, apart from Henry VII, was her own father for failing to deliver the dowry. Given Catherine's adoration for Ferdinand [...] blaming Dr de Puebla provided a useful safety valve.

Antonia Fraser