Tales and Heads
One day we visited Powderham Castle, aside the River Exe, near Exeter. This fine mediaeval castle is the ancestral home of the Courtenay Family, sometimes Earls of Devon, sometimes ex-Earls, sometimes exiled!
I was told tales of an old countess King Henry threw into the Tower of London... no trial, no reason! After two years imprisonment she was given one hour’s notice of beheading. But Henry’s head headsman was busy up north! Refuting any guilt, she refused to kneel for the apprentice headsman... so he hacked her to death most savagely.
King Henry VIII wasn’t a very nice bloke!
- Category: True Stories Told As Fiction
6 comments add one below
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VerityAlways over 2 years ago
Another Boleyn?
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Neville Hunt over 2 years ago
Well Boleynish! The old countess was 71 years old though! Henry was a bit paranoid about anyone who might feasibly have a claim to the Throne... on account of his wives failing to produce male heirs (except Jane Seymour, who died in the process). He had his reasons for a head count and there were lots to count!
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VerityAlways over 2 years ago
Like the Tower of London isn't already home to many ghosts. We should thank him for adding another.
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VerityAlways over 2 years ago
Thanks for the information, Neville!
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Christopher over 2 years ago
Henry VIII. I swear, the more ya hear about that dude!
Nice bit of historical context with this drabble.
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Neville Hunt over 2 years ago
Thanks Tudor both of you!
