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Post by historybuffco on Mar 9, 2014 0:42:51 GMT
I'm working on an article about Elizabeth of York. I'm wondering if there is any evidence Henry VII had mistresses or love affairs?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2014 21:06:18 GMT
In all of the books and articles I have read on Henry VII, which I'd consider to be substantial to say the least, I have never come across any definitive mention of mistresses either prior to his marriage, during it or after it.
Henry was 28 when he came to England and married Elizabeth. It follows that he almost certainly must have some contact with women in Brittany; He was a dashing and exotic member of the Breton court and it seems unlikely he would have avoided intimacy with the ladies of the court and so on. I'd argue it is probably that Jasper or the Duke would have ensured Henry avoided marriage due to his value as a political pawn.
As for during his marriage; again there is no evidence that he took a mistress, despite it being an accepted perk of being the king. One only needs to witness the conduct of Edward IV in this matter and Henry VIII. Why did Henry avoid taking a mistress, particularly with the lengthy periods of pregnancy that Elizabeth of York went through? Political reasons? He knew he must show due reverence and honour to Elizabeth in order to ensure Wydeville and Yorkist support? Personal reasons? The marriage truly grew into a love match and Henry had no desire or need of a mistress?
It's an intriguing question.
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jo
Gentry
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Post by jo on Mar 11, 2014 2:03:43 GMT
I do believe that if Henry had mistress... why hide it? I mean not only seems to be accepted that a king has had mistress, as natural and praised about it? he would be damned for it? I don't believe, moreover if was some strong evidence would have appeared now, after all always seem to seek all forms of defaming Henry, but why not this? maybe he was too preoccupied and too busy to act as his father-in-law and his foolish son
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Post by historybuffco on Mar 11, 2014 19:39:48 GMT
In all of the books and articles I have read on Henry VII, which I'd consider to be substantial to say the least, I have never come across any definitive mention of mistresses either prior to his marriage, during it or after it. Henry was 28 when he came to England and married Elizabeth. It follows that he almost certainly must have some contact with women in Brittany; He was a dashing and exotic member of the Breton court and it seems unlikely he would have avoided intimacy with the ladies of the court and so on. I'd argue it is probably that Jasper or the Duke would have ensured Henry avoided marriage due to his value as a political pawn. As for during his marriage; again there is no evidence that he took a mistress, despite it being an accepted perk of being the king. One only needs to witness the conduct of Edward IV in this matter and Henry VIII. Why did Henry avoid taking a mistress, particularly with the lengthy periods of pregnancy that Elizabeth of York went through? Political reasons? He knew he must show due reverence and honour to Elizabeth in order to ensure Wydeville and Yorkist support? Personal reasons? The marriage truly grew into a love match and Henry had no desire or need of a mistress? It's an intriguing question. Thank you for your thoughtful reply Nathen. It is as I suspected. I haven't heard of him having any mistresses or love affairs either. I would also suspect his mother Margaret Beaufort would have discouraged him from marrying anyone other than Elizabeth of York. |
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Post by historybuffco on Mar 11, 2014 19:40:49 GMT
I do believe that if Henry had mistress... why hide it? I mean not only seems to be accepted that a king has had mistress, as natural and praised about it? he would be damned for it? I don't believe, moreover if was some strong evidence would have appeared now, after all always seem to seek all forms of defaming Henry, but why not this? maybe he was too preoccupied and too busy to act as his father-in-law and his foolish son All very good points jo. Thank you for your reply. |
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