Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 4th September 1557, the Duke of Mecklenburg, Ulrich III, and his wife, Elizabeth of Denmark, had a daughter, whom they named Sophia. In 1571, Sophia (pictured) married Frederick II of Denmark, by whom she had eight children. Widowed young, Queen Sophia nevertheless overcame significant opposition to become Regent for her young son, Christian IV, and to control the destiny of the other six of her children who survived infancy. A learned and intelligent woman, she was at the forefront of Renaissance thought, with a particular interest in astronomy. Having arranged the marriage of her eldest daughter, Elizabeth, she reignited negotiations her late husband had held with Scotland for the marriage of her second daughter Anne, to the young King James VI.

Once her son had come of age, Queen Sophie was forced to retire, but continued her interest in science, and managed her dower estates so effectively as to become one of the richest women in Europe. The cultural atmosphere in which her daughter grew up may have influenced Anne’s tastes, although Anne is believed to have converted from the Lutheranism of her parents to Catholicism, once in Scotland. Once Queen of England, Anne became a notable patron of art and architecture – read more on her court masques here.

The 3rd September 1513 saw the death of Gerald Fitzgerald, 8th Earl of Kildare (Gearoid Mor). Kildare was the most powerful man in Ireland. A member of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy that had dominated Ireland since the twelfth century, he had been appointed as the Lord Deputy by Edward IV in 1477, when he was about 21. A year later, however, he was replaced with Lord Grey of Codnor, in an attempt to bring Ireland under the eye of an Englishman. The Anglo-Irish would not tolerate such an interference, and set up a rival Parliament. Edward IV hastily reversed his decision.

Kildare continued in post under Richard III and Henry VII until he decided to support the Lambert Simnel rebellion – presumably on the basis that annoying the Crown was part of the job description. On the defeat of Simnel, Henry VII, who was not a vengeful man (or at least, would always recognise political reality) issued a pardon to Kildare who remained as Lord Deputy for the next 7 years.

In 1494, he was captured by rivals who accused him of treason and sent him to London where he spent some time in the Tower. He was released back to his position of Lord Deputy in 1496, which he continued to hold until he died in 1513 during a feud with another clan.

On 2nd September 1522, Antoinette de Bourbon, wife of Claud of Lorraine, Duke of Guise, gave birth to her last child, Renee. Born into one of the most influential families in France, and sister of the Queen of Scots, at the age of twenty Renee was elected Abbess of St Pierre des Dames at Rheims, a position she held for sixty years. During her tenure, the convent became renowned for its intellectual and educational atmosphere. Renee was a strong supporter of the reform movement within the Catholic church. She ensured her convent maintained the highest standards and gave significant support to Francois le Picart, one of the early French evangelicals, whose sermons and influence were credited with keeping Paris Catholic, although, in his youth, he had been considered a radical. Renee’s convent was also a place of education for the young noblewomen of France – her pupils included the Four Marys, the friends of her niece, Mary, Queen of Scots (more on them here)