Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
If you ask us, a really good title for a book on the Tudor court would be Bessie Blount's Bastard. This kid is often mentioned as a potential heir to the throne, but who was he in real life? Henry's illegitimate son was named Henry Fitzroy, and he eventually married Mary Howard, who was Mary and Anne Boleyn's cousin. Gotta keep royal infidelity all in the family, right? (Source)
"The sweat" sounds like something you do in hot yoga, but back in the 16th century, it was deathly serious. Known as the English Sweating Sickness, the disease was fast and often fatal. There were over five outbreaks of this disease from 1485 to 1551, giving the Plague a run for its money as a memorable public health crisis. (Source)
These days, we call ridiculous myths and legends "old wives' tales." But the wives were young in the 16th century, so many of their offbeat tricks were considered facts. One of the most interesting superstitions in this book is the women's belief that if they ate asparagus, their baby would be a boy. Some people today still believe this, but others just make Boy George's steamed asparagus recipe and hope their pee doesn't smell. (Source)
You can't spell Ganymede without G-A-Y. The word "Ganymede" is often tossed around when describing George's sexual orientation; that's because Ganymede is a mythical figure known for entrancing none other than the king of the gods: Zeus, who eventually granted Ganymede immortality. It's too bad that George is no Zeus, and that there's no immortality for him: George and his rumored lovers are all put to death. (Source)
One of Henry's controversial acts was the Oath of Succession, which placed him as the head of the Church of England. The Oath was repealed by Queen Mary, his daughter with Katherine of Aragon, and was later reinstated by Queen Elizabeth I, his daughter with Anne Boleyn. If only this family could take an oath to get along. (Source)
If you really want to annoy someone, sing the Henry VIII song, which talks about Henry VIII getting married "to the widow next door." The song was popularized by Patrick Swayze singing to Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost. (Source.)