Cat's Historical Doodles

Margaret was probably born on 31 May 1443, in Bedfordshire. She was the daughter and sole heiress of John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, and his wife Margaret Beauchamp of Bletsoe. John Beaufort was a great-grandson of King Edward III through his son, John of Gaunt and his mistress Katherine Swynford. At the moment of her birth, Margaret's father was preparing to go to France and lead a military expedition for King Henry VI. The Duke of Somerset negotiated with the King to ensure that in case of his death, the rights to Margaret's wardship and marriage would be granted only to his wife. Upon Margaret's first birthday, however, the King broke the arrangement and granted the wardship of her extensive lands to William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, although Margaret herself remained in the custody of her mother. Margaret was married to Suffolk's son, John de la Pole; the wedding may have been held between 28 January and 7 February 1444, when she was perhaps j...

Alexandrina Victoria was born on 24 May 1819 at Kensington Palace, London. She was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (son of George III) and his wife, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Duchess of Kent. At birth, Victoria was only the 5th in line of succession. Before her, there was the Prince Regent; Frederick, Duke of York; William, Duke of Clarence; and her own father. The Prince Regent had no surviving children, and the Duke of York had no children. The Duke of Clarence's daughters died as infants, and Victoria's father died when she was not yet 1 year old. George III died a week after Victoria's father, and the Duke of York died in 1827. When George IV died in 1830, he was succeeded by his brother William (now William IV), and Victoria became heir presumptive to the throne. The Regency Act of 1830 made special provision for the Duchess of Kent to act as regent in case William died while Victoria was still a minor. The King distrusted the Duchess...

Anne Boleyn was born circa 1501, either at Blickling Hall, Norfolk, or Hever Castle, Kent. She was the second daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, a diplomat, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard. She grew up at Hever Castle with her older sister Mary and her younger brother George. Anne's early education was typical of a woman of her standing. Her academic education was limited to arithmetic, her family's genealogy, grammar, history, reading, spelling, and writing. She also developed domestic skills such as dancing, embroidery, good manners, household management, music, needlework, and singing. Anne learned to play games (chess, dice, cards) and was taught archery, falconry, horseback riding and hunting. Sir Thomas Boleyn continued his diplomatic career under Henry VIII. In Europe, his charms won many admirers, including Archduchess Margaret of Austria . During this period, Margaret ruled the Netherlands on behalf of her nephew, Charles V, and was so impressed with Boleyn ...