Gift-giving at Tudor New Year
The Tudors did not give presents at Christmas, but on New Year's day on 1st January. The gifts exchanged between Henry VIII and his courtiers are recorded in the court gift rolls. Generally, it took the form of pieces of silver plate. In January 1532 the king received "a salt silver gilt standing upon a dragon" from Thomas Flower. Occasionally, he received more unusual gifts. That same year he was a given a leopard by "Harman Hull, an Easterling."
New Year's gifts were an important sign of the king's favour. The Spanish ambassador reported that in 1532 Queen Catherine of Aragon sent Henry VIII a rich cup of gold, but he churlishly sent it back to her. However, he gave Anne Boleyn the gift of a bed covered with gold and silver cloth, crimson satin and rich embroidery.
In 1561 an enterprising courtier presented his daughter Mary Radcliffe as a New Year gift to Queen Elizabeth I. It amused her so much that she accepted her as one of her maids of honour. This true incident inspired me to write the scene where Lady Margaret de la Roche arrived at court in "The Tudor Lady in Waiting":
"I first came to court in 1519 at the tender age of fourteen. I well remember the day of my presentation on New Year’s Day. I was dressed in a stiff new dress of black satin. It was a bitterly cold day and my feet were freezing in my thin leather shoes. My father and I had waited for hours for our turn to enter the Great Hall and greet the king and queen. After several hours had passed, I had grown very weary and gave my father imploring looks. However, he was determined not to give up.
“Take courage, Margaret,” he urged me. “This is your great chance.” Finally, he had the presence of mind to hand a gold mark to the chamberlain and we were quickly escorted through the doors. King Henry and Queen Catherine of Aragon were seated upon a raised dais beneath a huge crimson canopy of state. The walls of the hall were covered with huge tapestries depicting scenes from the life of King Solomon and the Nine Worthies of Chivalry. And along the length of the hall was a trestle table lined with gleaming gold and silver objects of every kind imaginable. There were finely chased cups and goblets, fantastically shaped salt cellars, encased clocks, quantities of plate and fat velvet purses of coins. It seemed a fortune greater than all the treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem. These were the New Year’s gifts to the king. My father’s name was announced and he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward to stand before the king and queen. I could hardly keep up with his long strides.
“Make your curtsey, Margaret,” he prompted as he swept into a deep court bow. I made my reverence with modest grace just as I had been taught. King Henry was in a splendid humour and greeted him kindly, “Welcome to court, Sir Thomas. We are glad to see you and we wish you a good New Year!”
My father seized the opportunity. “Your Majesty, this is my daughter Margaret. She is my only child and my most precious possession. But I willingly present her as my New Year’s day gift to you!” The room fell quiet as the courtiers took in this unexpected departure from custom. They were ready to be affronted by his impertinence.
But the king was amused and forestalled their reaction. “I declare that she is the fairest gift I have been offered this day. Is that not so, Catherine?”
“Indeed, she is Henry,” affirmed the queen. “And I would be pleased to accept her as one of my maids of honour here at court.”
“You are fortunate, Lady Margaret,” said the king. “Many young ladies would be honoured to have the chance to serve the queen.”
I curtsied again. “I am most grateful to your Majesties and I promise to serve you well.”
“Then it is settled, Sir Thomas,” said the king. “You may bring her to us at our Easter court. My chamberlain will advise you how to prepare your daughter for the queen’s service.” The chamberlain stepped forward with alacrity and ushered us out of the door again.
My father turned to me with a beaming smile. “Well done, Margaret. You have made me very proud this day.”
To have pleased my father was all the reward I needed. I forgot about my aching legs and throbbing feet. The chamberlain instructed my father to send two sets of clothes with me, one of satin and one of damask silk. Then he turned his attention to the other eager petitioners who were waiting to pay their respects. My father took me home in triumph to tell my grandmother of our success. She was certain that this stroke of good fortune meant that my future was secure."
Extract from The Tudor Lady in Waiting.
Elizabeth Kelly.
Book 2 in The Tudors Series
