Contemporary Descriptions
Prince_Lieven:
Hey, I thought it would be a good idea if we gathered as many contemporary descriptions of the Tudors and Plantagenets as we can - for example, quotations from ambassadors ("Mistress Boleyn is of middling beauty" etc). Anyone interested? :)
Kimberly:
Oh, good one. I'll hit the books ;)
Kimberly:
Marillac on Catherine Howard; he thought that she was graceful rather than the great beauty he had been lead to expect.
Chapuys on Jane Seymour; "She is of middle height and nobody thinks she has much beauty. Her complexion is so whitish that she may be called rather pale"
The Venetian Ambassador on Anne Boleyn (1532);" Not one of the handsomest women in the world. Of middling stature, with a swarthy complexion, long neck, wide mouth, bosom not much raised and in fact, has nothing but the King's great appetite, and her eyes which are black and very beautiful."
The Venetian Ambassador on Henry; "The handsomest potentate I have ever set eyes on, above the usual height with an extremely fine calf to his leg, his complexion very fair and bright with auburn hair combed straight and short.....his throat being rather long and thick"
There are some for starters.
Kimberly:
On Richard III.....NONE of the contemporary sources remark upon ANY deformity; "Never has so much spirit or greater virtue reigned in such a small body"- Archibald Whitelaw, Scottish envoy to the English Court 1484.
"Three fingers taller than myself...also much slimmer; he had delicate arms and legs, also a great heart"- Nicholas von Poppelau.
Kimberly:
Catherine of Aragon; At age 30, the Netherlands ambassador reported her "of a lively and gracious disposition; quite the opposite of the Queen her sister (Juana) in complexion and manner". One year and two miscarriages later, Guistiani wrote "she is rather ugly than otherwise" A further 4 years later he wrote "She was not handsome but has a very beautiful complexion" Francois 1st was ruder, saying that Henry "has an old deformed wife" (meaning fat) :-X
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