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

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)

On 1st September 1532, Anne Boleyn, daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Ormonde, was created Lady Marquess of Pembroke. It was extremely unusual for a woman to be ennobled in her own right – the only previous similar example being the elevation of Margaret, Countess of Norfolk to the rank of Duchess in 1397. Anne Boleyn had been courted by Henry VIII for about six years by this point, and he had finally determined to marry her regardless of the unresolved state of his first marriage, which he claimed was unlawful.

As part of his campaign to win support abroad, Henry planned to meet Francois I of France at Calais. Francois had been moderately sympathetic to his plight, and Henry hoped that a personal meeting would persuade his French counterpart to give him solid support in Rome, as a final attempt to gain the Pope’s consent to an annulment. The plan was for Anne to accompany him. However, it would be quite unsuitable for a woman who was only an unmarried earl’s daughter to meet the great ladies of France as an equal, so she needed a new title. In the event, Francois’s wife and sister refused to meet her, and Anne was humiliated by the offer of a meeting with Francois’ mistress, another Anne, Duchesse d’Etampes