Henry VIII Archives

Elsyng Palace was a family home for Henry VIII and his children, probably as large as Hampton Court. Each summer the Enfield Archaeological Society excavate a bit more and then cover it up to prevent weather damage. The patience and skill of those who trowel and brush are just amazing.

It is lovely to see how roots spread. Trees connect to each other by their roots using their own internet , Mycorrhiza. You can read about it in a superbe book “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben.

One of the local oral histories is that Sir Walter Raleigh laid down his cloak for Queen, Elizabeth I to prevent her getting her feet wet at Maiden’s Bridge. Elizabeth lived in Elsyng Manor from time to time and Raleigh lived in nearby Chase Side so I feel it is a credible story.

This image is of what is probably a Victorian bridge but I like it and, it is called Maiden’s Bridge.

Some more images; it is a delightful spot.

and one of a tree:

All the above are in the Forty Hall Estate which, for a while, was owned by the Parker-Bowles family. Thinking about it all a poem came to me.

Maiden’s Bridge
Here, five hundred years ago,
Raleigh laid down a cloak for his queen.
It was rich-velvet, patterned with fine jewels.

Half a millennium later,
A son of the family who came to own around here,
Laid down his willing wife for a prince.

Raleigh was beheaded,
The man divorced.

About five miles from Forty Hall, just over the boundary in Essex, is Waltham Abbey. It has a connection with Elsyng through Henry VIII. It was the last Abbey to be taken over by Henry during the Reformation which he had planned whilst staying at Elsyng. The abbot was a very learned man and Henry enjoyed conversation with him. I have a tenuous connection too. The last Saxon king, Harald, was buried there some time after he was killed by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. One of the Knights that fought with William was Robert-with-a-beard. and of the 850,000 ancestors I have of that time, he is the only one I know! The U of my initials is for Umfreville which is derived from the village in Normandy he came from.

Enough of that! Waltahm abbey is delightful and we had in interesting visit. There are faces carved into the exterior stone and this is one most venal:

The ducks are more beautiful on the river near the mill race. They arranged their pose and waited for me to take the photograph quacking their impatience.

Inside the ceiling is beautiful with Victorian paintings of the zodiac. The magnificent organ is being restored so there is bright shiny scaffolding as you enter.

My sign is Capricorn the sea or mergoat. I feel that it is older than Greek mythology and it has its origins in Oannes. Perhaps, but here is the Capricorn panel.

There is a lovely freeze behind the alter and a mediaeval wall painting in the Lady Chapel (I did not photograph the painting).

All in all, two good places to visit.

Poetry fills Enfield’s air, seeps out of the ground so it is no wonder so many poets are associated with this North London Borough. The first for me is:

Henry VIII who liked to hunt in the vast forest that was the Royal Chase.

His palace, Elsynge was located in, what are now, the grounds of Forty Hall.

Each year the Enfield Archaeological Society excavate the ruins but have to refill them as the masonry is of such poor quality and would deteriorate if left exposed to the atmosphere: though current thinking is that Elsynge was every bit as grand as Hampton Court. It was certainly his favourite palace and was probably more of a family home. His children Edward and Elizabeth spent a lot of time there and it is where they were told of their father’s death and that Edward was to be king. It is thought that much of the planning of the Reformation was carried out here. Nearby Waltham Abbey was the last monastery to be dissolved as the abbot was a friend of Henry.

Looking down towards the site of Elsynge Palace from the second floor of Forty Hall.

In Henry’s time less than 10% of the population were literate. It was important for the monarch to be perceived as cultured as well as having physical prowess and power, It was the time of courtly love and romance and Henry writing poetry was in keeping with the times. Not a great poet by any means but he spent time on it and I feel that a relaxed atmosphere at Elsynge and the hunting encouraged this creative side of the monarch. He often used his poetry as a political tool, reminding all that he was King and that his will should prevail.

When researching for this blog I was very pleased to discover a book edited by Peter C Herman “Reading Monarchs Writing” which has a series of essays and examples of the poetry of Henry VIII, Mary Stuart, Elizabeth I and James VI/I. Apart from Mary Stuart all had lived in Enfield at one time or another. I emailed Peter Herman who gave me permission to quote from his book and here is one of Henry’s poems. It is very political. Though it begins in a defensive apologetic mood, it ends with an overt statement of Royal power.

Though some say that youth rules me,
I trust in age to tarry.
God and my right, and my duty,
From them shall I never vary,
Though some say that youth rules me.

I pray you all that aged be
How well did you your youth carry?
I think some worse of each degree.
Therein a wager lay dare I,
Though some say that youth rules me.

Pastimes of youth some time among–
None can say but necessary.
I hurt no man, I do no wrong,
I love true where I did marry,
Though some say that youth rules me.

Then soon discuss that hence we must.
Pray we to God and Saint Mary
That all amend, and here an end.
Thus says the King, the eighth Harry,
Though some say that youth rules me.

Finally a poem that sums Henry up I feel. It is rather long so I give just the first stanza.

The Kings Ballad

Pastime with good company
I love and shall until I die.
Grudge who likes, but none deny;
So God be pleased, thus live will I,
For my pastance:
Hunt, sing, and dance.

Tag: Henry VIII

Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in Enfield

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Poetry in Enfield from Henry VIII to Enfield Poets – part one, Henry VIII

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