Thank you sharing the fascinating story of Katherine de Valois. The treatment she received in the afterlife of her burial is truly remarkable but the fault partly of her egotistical grandson. It's all very well moving coffins from their tombs in order to build a family chapel but he had a duty to care for their remains. As he couldn't possibly know that such a grand scheme would take so long, the coffins removed should have been better secured. Precise monies and orders for their reinterments set aside, etc. Henry Vii sounds slightly careless. He left enough money after all and although Henry viii spent a lot of it, his parents and Beaufort grandmother were well provided for as her oversaw the completion of their own extremely elaborate Italian tombs. He wanted to be like Henry V. Are we really to believe he didn't have the money to restore his tomb and that of his Queen? Better planning and attention by both of them might have prevented the poor woman being treated like a curiosity.
I knew the story of Samuel Peypes and yes he was a creep, a molester of young women, an adulterer and a generally horrendous person. It is so sad her remains were not better cared for.
Only thanks to Queen Victoria who seems to have held great respect for the deceased was this short lived but remarkable young woman and Queen finally laid to rest.
Its a great shame, however, that her Welsh sons and her lost dtr are not at least given a separate plaque or memorial as her children alongside Owen Tudor. Come on Westminster Abbey, it's the 21st century.
Dispiriting treatment, indeed. So bizarre to think it happened within Westminster Abbey, and for so long! Pepys really is such a creep, too. Great read, thanks Nathen.
Thanks for sharing - a very interesting and slightly horrifying tale. I guess the last sentence says it all. It’s hard for modern readers to appreciate how unstable royal inheritance could be, as kings were almost deposed (King John), actually deposed (Edward II, Richard II, Henry VI) or defeated in battle (Richard III) on a regular basis. It seems like it only settled down somewhat once the Tudors were on the throne.
What an interesting read! I just finished Dan Jones's new biography of Henry V, and I'm now wildly curious about Katherine de Valois. Any recommendations for where I could learn more?
Thank you sharing the fascinating story of Katherine de Valois. The treatment she received in the afterlife of her burial is truly remarkable but the fault partly of her egotistical grandson. It's all very well moving coffins from their tombs in order to build a family chapel but he had a duty to care for their remains. As he couldn't possibly know that such a grand scheme would take so long, the coffins removed should have been better secured. Precise monies and orders for their reinterments set aside, etc. Henry Vii sounds slightly careless. He left enough money after all and although Henry viii spent a lot of it, his parents and Beaufort grandmother were well provided for as her oversaw the completion of their own extremely elaborate Italian tombs. He wanted to be like Henry V. Are we really to believe he didn't have the money to restore his tomb and that of his Queen? Better planning and attention by both of them might have prevented the poor woman being treated like a curiosity.
I knew the story of Samuel Peypes and yes he was a creep, a molester of young women, an adulterer and a generally horrendous person. It is so sad her remains were not better cared for.
Only thanks to Queen Victoria who seems to have held great respect for the deceased was this short lived but remarkable young woman and Queen finally laid to rest.
Its a great shame, however, that her Welsh sons and her lost dtr are not at least given a separate plaque or memorial as her children alongside Owen Tudor. Come on Westminster Abbey, it's the 21st century.
Dispiriting treatment, indeed. So bizarre to think it happened within Westminster Abbey, and for so long! Pepys really is such a creep, too. Great read, thanks Nathen.
Fascinating read! It's wild and sad that her remains were so exposed and violated for so long before finally being put to rest.
Thanks for sharing - a very interesting and slightly horrifying tale. I guess the last sentence says it all. It’s hard for modern readers to appreciate how unstable royal inheritance could be, as kings were almost deposed (King John), actually deposed (Edward II, Richard II, Henry VI) or defeated in battle (Richard III) on a regular basis. It seems like it only settled down somewhat once the Tudors were on the throne.
Really good read, thanks!
Fascinating article, as always! Happy New Year to you and Vera.
Happy New Year, Nathen, Vera, Family and Friends.
Thank you. That was an understatement about Pepys.
Sad that she wasn’t granted proper respect for the Tudor line she mothered, as the subsequent royal lineage went through her.
What an interesting read! I just finished Dan Jones's new biography of Henry V, and I'm now wildly curious about Katherine de Valois. Any recommendations for where I could learn more?