Learning to be a Tudor
Thomas Penn examines M.J. Tucker’s article on the court of Henry VII, first published in History Today in 1969.
Melvin Tucker’s essay on life at the court of Henry VII (r. 1485-1509), written more than 40 years ago, opens with a weary lament. He notes how the court of the founder of the Tudor dynasty is invariably seen as medieval, drab and miserly when set against the Renaissance sunshine of his son, Henry VIII (r. 1509-47). Writing at a time when Henry VII’s court and its culture was – with a handful of honourable exceptions – dealt with in a perfunctory way by historians, if not ignored altogether, Tucker sets out to offer a wide-ranging corrective.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
