Tudor Corrupts

The Tudor dynasty produced the two most famous in English royal history: Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Both father and daughter monarchs are considered to be two Tudor roses. However, every rose has its thorns. Edward VI and Mary Tudor reign after their father, Henry VIII, and before their half sister, Elizabeth I. The five sovereigns of the Tudor dynasty are among the most well-known figures in royal history. Having welsh origin, Henry VII succeeded in ending the War of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York to found the high successful Tudor house. The Tudor Rose is the fusion between the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster. This fusion symbolically marks the end of the War of the Roses and the start of the Tudor Dynasty.

Although fashion climaxes under Elizabeth I, earlier Tudor fashion is important. Regional variations in fashionable clothing that arose in the 15th century became more pronounced in the 16th century. The female gown of the Tudor court is characterized as a long gown, ususally with sleeves, worn over a kirtle, or under gown, with a linen chemise, or smock, worn next to the skin. The high waistline in England gradually descended to the natural waistline, following the Spanish tradition. The skirt was v-shaped in the front. Cuffs grew larger and more elaborately trimmed over time. Farthingales, or hoop skirts, and corsets were popular essentials taken from the Spanish court as well. Shoes were flat with broad, square toes, and were often not depicted in portraits because of the length of the gowns. Hats, caps, hoods, and hairnets were also strong

Having provided two of the most popular and one of the most unpopular monarchs, elements from the Tudor period have greatly permeated modern society. For example, a seemingly innocent nursery rhyme has been suggested to represent Mary Tudor. All American children have heard the nursery rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”. The ‘garden’ may refer to graveyards, which were increasing in size with all those who dared continue to be a protestant. The silver bells and cockle shells may be colloquialisms for instruments of torture. The ‘silver bells’ were thumbscrews that crushed the thumbs between tow hard surfaces with a tightened screw. The ‘cockleshells’ were believed to be genital torture instruments. The ‘maids’ all in a row may refer to the original guillotine or process of beheading. The question ‘how does you garden grow’ is believed to be a comment on Mary Tudor’s lack of heirs, or to another common idea that England had simply become a “branch of Spain and the Hapsburgs”. Lastly, ‘quite contrary’ seems to be an ironic statement on Mary Tudor’s unsuccessful attempt to reverse changes put into place by her father and