I feel it's somewhat overlooked how unusual a fork as a gift might be, like, a single utensil, for the King's woman? I think they weren't that commonly used back then, see this paragraph from an article I've found: "Fast forward a few centuries, and forks had become commonplace in Italy. Again, international marriage proved the catalyst for the implement's spread—Catherine de Medici brought a collection of silver forks from Italy to France in 1533, when she married the future King Henry II. In 1608, an English traveler to the continent, Thomas Coryate, published an account of his overseas observations, including the use of the fork, a practice he adopted himself. Although he was ridiculed at the time, acceptance of the fork soon followed." (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-history-of-western-eating-utensils-from-the-scandalous-fork-to-the-incredible-spork-64593179/) So, TC appears to be quite in the avant-garde here in terms of trends and probably this present is a nod to Anne that she's quite like that, too?
I thought that too, Cromwell was always interested in the new and forks were unusual, new at the ttime. C. having lived in Italy, his connections there and to the trading centers in the Netherlands, he would have known what is becoming 'en vogue' and Anne is someone, as you wrote, who would have appreciate it. (unlike e.g. Uncle Norfolk 😂)
What I love about this slow read is all the additional information that comes with it like this. I am now away on a wee explore of pomenders and goat stones! Thank you for this.
I learned about bezoars at the tender age of 10 thanks to Harry Potter
I feel it's somewhat overlooked how unusual a fork as a gift might be, like, a single utensil, for the King's woman? I think they weren't that commonly used back then, see this paragraph from an article I've found: "Fast forward a few centuries, and forks had become commonplace in Italy. Again, international marriage proved the catalyst for the implement's spread—Catherine de Medici brought a collection of silver forks from Italy to France in 1533, when she married the future King Henry II. In 1608, an English traveler to the continent, Thomas Coryate, published an account of his overseas observations, including the use of the fork, a practice he adopted himself. Although he was ridiculed at the time, acceptance of the fork soon followed." (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-history-of-western-eating-utensils-from-the-scandalous-fork-to-the-incredible-spork-64593179/) So, TC appears to be quite in the avant-garde here in terms of trends and probably this present is a nod to Anne that she's quite like that, too?
I thought that too, Cromwell was always interested in the new and forks were unusual, new at the ttime. C. having lived in Italy, his connections there and to the trading centers in the Netherlands, he would have known what is becoming 'en vogue' and Anne is someone, as you wrote, who would have appreciate it. (unlike e.g. Uncle Norfolk 😂)
Poisoned gloves?? De Medicis really were the OGs of poisoning!
The Medici make the Tudors look like a nice, loving family in comparison 😁
Wonderful tangents, Andrea. Thank you! I had never heard of bezoars. The museum piece is unexpectedly beautiful!
Thank you, this adds to the slow read!
What I love about this slow read is all the additional information that comes with it like this. I am now away on a wee explore of pomenders and goat stones! Thank you for this.