Biography Help

Posts Tagged ‘queen elizabeth biography book’

Question: Elizabeth I?

I was reading a biography of Queen Elizabeth I, and I am confused about something the author says. The author is talking about Blanche Parry, a member of the household staff. I quote: "...and it is assumed that it was she who taught the great-granddaughter of Owen Tudor to speak Welsh."

The author does not include a family tree and does not discuss Elizabeth's lineage other than her father. But I count five generations from Owen Tudor to Elizabeth, not four.

If I remember correctly, Owen Tudor married Katherine of Valois (widow of Henry V). Owen and Katherine gave birth to Edmund Tudor, who married Margaret Beaufort. Edmund and Margaret gave birth to Henry VII, who married the daughter of Edward IV (another Elizabeth) and sired Henry VIII.

That would make Elizabeth the great-great-granddaughter of Owen Tudor, not the great-granddaughter. Did this historian get the family tree wrong, or do I have my Tudors mixed up?

Answer: No, you are not mixed up. This happens allot when people in different generations are named the same way by family or coincidence. Look at how much confusion is caused by people not understanding which "Herod" one Gospel writer or another is referring too. I think their were like seven in three generations mentioned.
By the way, I read that book. Great stuff. read "Mary Queen of Scots"too. That will give you another perspective on the times.

Alison Weir, Arguing The Case For Anne Boleyn

The best-selling British historian has chronicled the lives of great ladies including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. Now she's written a new biography of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn — and Weir says much of what you may think you know about the ill-fated queen is just plain wrong.

Elizabeth I & Mary Queen of Scots - 1/6