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This year, 2007-2008, is the 500th anniversary of Blanche’s birth for she was born between March 1507 and March 1508. She first went to the Tudor Royal Court in the reign of King Henry VIII, when her aunt, Lady Troy was appointed Lady Mistress to the King’s royal children, Elizabeth and Edward; she also supervised Mary when she lived with the younger children. Blanche remained with Queen Elizabeth and was pre-eminent at the very centre of her Court. Lord Burghley was her friend and cousin. |
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In order to reinstate Blanche a biography (the first) has been published to celebrate the anniversary of Blanche’s birth and a summary of this is given on the biography pages. The Book Launch on Saturday 24th November, at Bacton where Blanche grew up, was a marvellous experience with crowds attending. |
To augment the book, this website is hosting additional information, which can be found on the navigation bar, under Papers. These include transcripts of some of the documents used and of all the relevant bardic poems. It is also intended to list the members of the Queen’s Household who have been found in the course of research.
First, however, an exact copy of the Bacton Epitaph, composed by Blanche for her monument in Bacton Church, is given in full. Transcribed by Paul Richardson, it can now be dated to before November 1578 and is probably c.1576-1577. This date means that this monument, for the first time depicting Queen Elizabeth as an icon, is now recognised as of national importance.