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venezia214 · 5 years

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1540, January 6 - Marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves (fictionalised vignette)

(On 6 January 1540, Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves at the Royal Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, London.) Earlier today, on Tuesday 6 January 1540 - the Feast of the Epiphany - my lady, Anne of Cleves, or Anna von Jülich-Kleve-Berg, aged 25, was finally married to Henry VIII of England in what is her first and the King's fourth marriage ceremony.

The wedding, overseen by Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, a leader of the English Reformation, took place in the Queen's Closet at the Royal Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, London.

At the same palace on 28 June 1491 the King himself had been delivered from Elizabeth of York as her second son and prince.

His Majesty's first marriage to Katherine of Aragon on 11 June 1509 had also been held here. We are still not sure why my Lady’s wedding was postponed from 4 January to today.

Was the King not feeling well?

Or had he simply changed his mind? If so, was it because his Majesty did not find my Mistress educated, especially in music or literature?

She can read and write in German, but has limited knowledge of the English language. She is skilled in needlework and likes to play cards, but she is not culturally sophisticated as the previous wives of the King. Yet she is smart, gentle and carries herself tall with a resolute countenance.

I doubt that his Majesty would have wanted to leave my Lady at the altar as that would not have pleased her brother. You may not know this, but my Lady is the daughter of the late Duke of Juliers-Cleves, Johann III, often referred to as Duke of Cleves, and sister of his successor, Wilhelm.

As both father and son have been butting heads with the Holy Roman Emperor, they might have been regarded as an ideal ally for England by Thomas Cromwell, the King's chief minister, who strived to bring King Henry critical political support in Europe.

The outcome of this union would also be sealing the fate of Cromwell in the eyes of Henry VIII.

In 1535, King Henry VIII broke with Rome and declared himself head of the Church of England after the Pope refused to grant him a divorce from Katherine of Aragon, his first wife as well as his elder brother Arthur's widow whom he had married after the sudden death of Arthur.

It was in the final weeks of 1537 when we had first heard of the international marriage market rumours relying on alliances between powers that my Lady might after all marry King Henry of England whose beloved third wife Jane Seymour had recently died.

In 1527, Anne of Cleves, aged 11, had previously been betrothed to François, aged 10 and heir to the duchy of Lorraine. But as the marriage never took place, she had been free to marry someone else. German painter Hans Holbein the Younger, one of the most famous of the Tudor court painters, was dispatched to Duren by Cromwell to paint portraits of not only my Lady but also of her younger sister, Amalia, as King Henry was not fully decided on which one to chose as his fourth wife, or rather a pawn in Cromwell’s policy for a northern European alliance against dangers from France and the Emperor.

Apparently Holbein had strict instructions to draw the sisters as accurately as possible.

However, I have always suspected that the painter had favoured my Lady over her sister and exaggerated Lady Anne's features somehow more flattering, with a fair complexion, high forehead, pointed chin and heavy-lidded eyes.

Henry had known all three of his previous wives before he married them, so he must have been nervous about the upcoming arranged marriage.

When King Henry's envoys visited the court of the Duke of Cleves, my Lady Anne was wrapped up for modesty, reflecting the sheltered environment she had been raised and the envoys could not see much of her face or body.

Hence the portrait painted by Holbein in watercolour on vellum would have had great importance. Following the marriage treaty of 4 October 1539, which established ties between England and the Court of Cleves, or rather the enemies of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, in December, I accompanied Lady Anne - now destined to be the new Queen of England - to Calais.

We left Cleves on 26 November 1539 and travelled through Antwerp, Bruges and Dunkirk.

Earlier in the summer, Ghent, subject to the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor and Spanish King Charles V, had witnessed a revolt led by a number of guilds against recently imposed new taxes. It was highly feared that there was more bloodshed to come.

We arrived on 11 December in English territory of Calais, where we waited for almost two weeks for a favourable wind to carry us to Dover in Kent.

If the winds were to turn against us or to drop completely, we would be forced to return to Calais as the winter gales were known to cause the greatest difficulties.

The wind that creates a wave controls its destiny; the power that creates a wave can also destroy it.

As I watched the changing winds, I could not help but thinking about the wind that has brought my Lady here and how its power would now control her destiny in a foreign land. Finally, on 27 December, after hours of misery when most of us got extremely weak and nobody dared to touch any food in fear of seasickness, caused by constant waves, especially when huge breakers first raised the ship and then brought it crashing down, the white chalk cliffs of the English coast hove into view.

Shortly afterwards we landed on the gravel beach.

What a sight it was to disembark by Deal Castle, a fortress currently being built!

I understand that the castle was being carefully designed with thick walls and multiple gun ports, arranged around a central tower for all-round defence of the coast.

How much safer we all felt to stand on firm ground! After several hours of much needed rest, we traveled to the royal apartments in Dover Castle where we were received by the Duke of Suffolk.

On the morning of 29 December we rode to Canterbury in a major storm. The houses we encountered were of all dark colour, giving the environs a dull appearance.

Lady Anne was honourably received by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other great men, and we lodged at the Royal Palace in St. Augustine's Abbey where we feasted merrily. In 1536, the King had started the Suppression of the Monasteries which resulted in brutal execution of many abbots and monks who resisted the closure of their monasteries.

St Augustine monastery had closed on 30 July 1538 after the abbot and the monks had voluntarily surrendered the abbey to the king.

Then came a major destruction of the abbey, its riches, relics, and library. From 1539, the former abbot’s apartments were converted into a royal palace. I also saw the famous Canterbury Cathedral as in preparation for the wedding, my Lady was conformed to the Anglican form of worship, which King Henry expected.

On 30 December we travelled by the old Roman road to Sittingbourne en route to London.

So far, everything we have seen and experienced seems so different than what we are accustomed to — from foods consumed to the buildings, clothing, language and the weather.

Most people were all so serene and polite. I wonder if it is the constantly-changing weather that forces the English stay so calm. A balancing act, if you will... The next day we went up to Rochester Abbey where on New Year's Day 1540 my Lady Anne privately met King Henry.

Later she nervously relayed to me that at first she had not been aware that she meeting his Majesty who apparently was in disguise.

My Lady was looking out of a window to see the bull-baiting which in the courtyard, when suddenly a man wearing a mask embraced and kissed her. He also showed her a token, which he said the King had sent her for New Year's gift. But she was abashed and, not knowing who it was, thanked him in her broken English.

So spoke this mysterious man with my Lady and then took his leave, as suddenly as he had appeared some minutes ago.

Several minutes later, his Majesty returned to the room in a purple velvet cloak when he revealed his identity.

My Lady somewhat feared that she might have offended his Majesty in that initial meeting when she was taken by surprise.

I comforted her and said that all would be well.

Yet I never told her that there were plenty of rumours that right after this meeting. King Henry VIII had supposedly gathered the members of his privy chamber and said “I like her not” and complained that he had been sent a “Flanders mare!” The pair did not see each other again until 3 January when they officially met in Blackheath outside the gates of Greenwich Park, where a grand reception was laid out.

In the morning of 6 January, we dressed Lady Anne in a beautiful gown of rich cloth of gold set and full of rosemary flowers and pearls, made after the latest Dutch fashion.

She also let her blonde and long hair down, adding to the glitter of the golden crown she was carrying on her head.

We, all her ladies and gentlewomen, followed her.

The phrase "God send me well to keep" asking for health and happiness was engraved around my Lady's wedding ring.

At the altar was King Henry, aged 49/ He was very fat with a serious leg wound, which was fast becoming ulcerated.

During the ceremony I could not help but notice a nervous Thomas Cromwell, looking pale and shaken.

Afterwards, the newlyweds went publicly in procession.

My Lady is a pragmatic woman and we all know that she will make a successful Queen.

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6 January 1540

#eastlondon #bookofdays #January6 #1540 #HenryVIII #AnneofCleves #Greenwich

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tripstations · 4 years

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High 5 ski resort for celebrities

I suppose one of many appeals of snowboarding for celebrities is that on the slopes they are often nameless. They’ll don a helmet and a pair of goggles and simply mix in with the frequent people within the chairlift queue and on the piste. It have to be refreshing for the wealthy and well-known to have the ability to go about their enterprise and never be bugged and harassed for autographs and selfie photographs. From politicians to royalty, actuality tv stars and A-list actors, the Alps are alive with celebrities. Listed below are 5 resorts which are more likely to be a very good place to rubber neck.

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier comes out prime because the resort more than likely to be visited by celebrities. The resort is well-liked with the likes of Pippa Middleton and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Madonna hit the slopes right here. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and members of the sporting elite, together with World Cup-winning rugby participant Lawrence Dallaglio have all been noticed with out helmets and goggles.

Lately Prince William hit the headlines after the Dad-dancing incident in Verbier. The husband to Kate Middleton, father to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and second in line to the British throne was just lately away on a ski journey with associates when he determined to exit to membership and hit the dance ground. Prince William reportedly drank just a few Jägerbombs earlier than throwing shapes, awkward ones at that, to Luniz’s ’90s hit “I Acquired 5 On It.” Sir Richard Branson owns a chalet right here and for an arm and a leg you may lease it out for per week or two.

Courchevel 1850, France

Arguably the wealthiest resort in the entire of the Alps, the stylish resort of 1850 is house to ‘six’ star accommodations, (yep, you learn that proper, ‘six’), Michelin starred eating places and luxurious procuring. Russian oligarchs are accountable, in the principle, for making 1850 the new spot that it’s at the moment. The village fills up with Russian celebs throughout Russian new yr. This elegant ski village has additionally charmed A-list celebrities together with Leonardo DiCaprio, David and Victoria Beckham and Pippa Middleton. The 1850 resort, essentially the most elite of its 4 villages, is the place Kate and William are believed to have stayed just lately. Brigitte Bardot helped to place it on the map within the 1960s lengthy earlier than the Russians took an curiosity.

The resort even has its personal airstrip proper on the slopes, which sees dozens of personal jets arrive every day in peak season. The touchdown right here is adjudged to be one of the troublesome on the planet. The runway is ready at a gradient of 18.5% in an effort to assist gradual touchdown plane. It’s one of many shortest runways on the planet, with a size of 525 metres. The damaging strategy by way of deep valleys can solely be carried out by specifically licensed pilots. Earlier this yr a light-weight plane skidded on touchdown and hit a snow financial institution on the finish of a runway. All 5 occupants walked away with 4 struggling minor accidents.

Zermatt, Switzerland

House to the enduring mountain vary with most peaks reaching over 4000m; Zermatt is among the greatest ski resorts on the planet. It’s unimaginable surroundings, environment and slopes appeal to the wealthy and well-known. Settled underneath the magnificent Matterhorn, Zermatt is a picturesque alpine village full of gourmand eating places, beautiful chalets and world class snowboarding.

Celebrities noticed on this fabulous Swiss resort embrace movie stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, legendary drummer Phil Collins and each Abba girls. By the way Agnetha and Anni-Frid each have properties right here. Through the Zermatt Unplugged Music Pageant held in April, you may mingle with some well-known musicians and singers, together with Dido, Jack Savoretti, and Gerard Depardieu who will likely be singing for his tremendous. Gérard Depardieu is among the most well-known character actors of French movie. He will likely be paying tribute to an artist buddy, the chansonnier Barbara, who died in 1997, and is taken into account to be an incomparable artist of French chanson alongside Edith Piaf and Juliette Gréco. Gérard Depardieu’s strategy to the work and character of Barbara has captivated the French public. He will likely be accompanied by pianist Emmanuel Christien.

St Moritz, Switzerland

Some locations are merely not like every other; the mere point out of their title summons up vivid photographs and feelings. St. Moritz is one such place. Its distinctive attraction started lengthy earlier than the times when Roger Moore raced down the slopes as James Bond, Alfred Hitchcock was impressed by Engadin’s black crows and Gunter Sachs and Brigitte Bardot whispered candy nothings to one another within the snow.

The historical past of St. Moritz as we all know it at the moment started in 1864, when hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a wager with a few of his British company. He promised them that, along with the beautiful summers, winter in St. Moritz is so nice that on clear days you may benefit from the sunshine on the terrace with out carrying a jacket. If he turned out to be improper, the hotelier promised to pay their journey prices and lodging. The next December, the group of British males crossed the Julier Go coated from head to toe in furs. Upon arrival in St. Moritz they had been met by blue skies, heat sunshine and Badrutt, who stood ready to greet them and not using a jacket and with rolled up sleeves. Winter tourism was born.

It’s no shock St Moritz is a star and wealthy listing hotspot with its annual Polo World Cup on their frozen lake. This prestigious occasion began 30 years in the past and attracts greater than 12,000 guests and a number of prime celebrities. The lengthy listing of superstar guests consists of Claudia Schiffer, George Clooney, John Travolta, Robert De Niro, Elizabeth Hurley and Naomi Campbell. Again within the swinging 60’s Chalie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock used to vacation right here.

Attributable to its fabulous location, St Moritz enjoys 300 days of sunshine every year and through peak occasions, the resorts very personal airport brings in additional than 40 non-public jets a day so the wealthy and well-known can benefit from the Swiss slopes.

With designer outlets, unique sporting occasions and excellent spas, St Moritz is all the time on the prime of the exclusivity lists. You’ll discover the most important names in style right here together with, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Versace.

Klosters, Switzerland

Although Prince Charles has been making snowboarding look awkward for 50 years, we’re all fortunate that Prince William and Kate Middleton have taken over the limelight and given royal snowboarding a lift of pleasure. They even used the slopes to seal their royal relationship with a smooch, their first kiss in public was an enormous media occasion in January 2006.

What is sort of forgotten: The American Excessive Society from movie, music, theatre and literature got here and went from right here way back to the 1950s. A lot so, that the village gained the title “Hollywood on the Rocks”. At the moment, the profitable American screenwriter Peter Viertel was commissioned by a Swiss movie producer with writing a screenplay and rapidly moved to lodging in Davos. To go the time, Viertel discovered to ski and in doing so found Klosters, which had beforehand been chosen as a vacation vacation spot by the famend conflict photographer Robert Capa . This quickly grew into an incredible love of the resort, which he developed collectively along with his buddy and author Irwin Shaw (“The Younger Lions”, “Wealthy Man, Poor Man”) into “Hollywood on the Rocks”.

Its fame drew well-known stars corresponding to Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, Yul Brynner, Lauren Bacall, Greta Garbo. Gene Kelly, who danced on the tables within the resort bar of the legendary Lodge Chesa Grischuna. Rex Harrison, who mentioned his musical notes for “My Truthful Girl” with the resort pianist. And Deborah Kerr, who married Peter Viertel in 1960 in Klosters.

Through the time of “Hollywood on the Rocks”, many British and American company moved to Klosters, and made their second house right here. They characterised the type and environment of the vacation village for many years, and their kids are nonetheless doing it to today. A go to to the Chesa Bar or the Dancing Casa Antica through the winter season are sufficient to be gripped by this magical atmosphere.

Danny Frith is Director at SkiBoutique. SkiBoutique is a luxurious ski chalet company primarily based in Switzerland.

If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog in an effort to increase your profile, please contact us.

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theleaderdotinfo-blog · 7 years

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St. Moritz: The town that sold mountains to the Globe has been published at http://www.theleader.info/2017/09/26/st-moritz-town-sold-mountains-globe/

New Post has been published on http://www.theleader.info/2017/09/26/st-moritz-town-sold-mountains-globe/

St. Moritz: The town that sold mountains to the Globe

Once upon a time in Switzerland, there was a hotelier Johannes Badrutt and a group of aristocratic group of merchants and landowners along with other elite people as well. The incident took place on the evening of September month in St. Moritz in the year 1984.

As the vacationers sat around the fire at the Kulm Hotel, the Swiss manager grabbed the golden opportunity because somewhere back in mind, he was fearing. The dread was the fact that he was to return to the dreaded foggy London Winter.

The hotelier challenged the visitors with an exclamation, “Your Holiday Here in Summer.” and he did this over a bottle of Veltliner red wine. He also asked them, “Why not enjoy the mountains year-round? Winter is so pleasant that on beautiful days you can even walk without a jacket.”

The Englishmen were too lured by the blemish-free skies. Also, the backdrop of the lofty peaks seemed exciting to them. So calculating the risks and losses, they decided to accept the deal. Up until then St. Moritz had been a moderate hiking destination at the time of July and August as well.

But what happens if Badrutt’s promise would be broken? The hotelier would be paying the total expenses of their journey of the Inn and their winter-long stay. So there was no choice of losing. And they accepted the challenge, and the deal was done.

In the mid-December of the same year, that group had arrived in Switzerland. Towards the end of their journey that lasted for a week, they marched for their onward journey on a horse-pulled sled. Wrapped from head to toe in fur, they crossed the 2,284 m Julier Pass. It was a 2-day Alpine crossing, linked with Chur, Rhine Valley to Engadine Valley, southeastern Switzerland.

By the time they reentered St. Moritz, there were clear skies, and they were sweating profusely as well. On the other hand, the jacketless Badrutt was beaming with joy and was ready to greet those group of men.

And that is it!! Badrutt won the bet, and the Englishmen stayed on there until March as paying guests. The word quickly spread about the Champagne Climate of St. Moritz.

So the concept of winter holidays had taken the birth here. If you are a die-hard traveler, then grab the latest winter holiday offers with Premier Inn and redeem the same so that you are able to save your hard-earned money.

Simultaneously, the winter sports viz. Horse racing, Polo, and Cricket along with Cresta Run, Olympic Bob Run, and others are also famous. The first curling tournament that was held on the European continent was over the frozen Lake St Moritz. In 1882, the first ever European Ice-Skating Championship took place.

If you are up to the story of the St. Moritz, then you will get to notice that not only it is about tourism, but it is also about the social transformation as well. Johannes Badrutt may be forgotten, but nobody would forget his long-lasting impact.

#St Moritz

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