9:57 pm
August 12, 2009
I apologize in advance for sounding like a hyperactive toddler, but once I start wondering about something, it bugs me something fierce.
I know all of Henry's wives had their mottoes, but what was Henry's motto? Were mottoes just for the rulers and consorts? I thought the aristocracy sometimes picked one, too. I started wondering about Katharine of Aragon. Did she have a motto as the wife of Arthur? Did he? If they did, what were they? Did she change that when Arthur died? Did she pick a different one when she married Henry?
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
King Henry VIII's motto was “Coeur Loyal” meaning loyal or true heart. Apparently, he had a heart symbol embroidered on to his clothes along with the word “loyal”. His emblem was obviously the Tudor Rose and he also used the Beaufort portcullis. Some say that his motto was “Dieu et Mon Droit” but this was the motto of Kings rather than Henry in particular.
The Tudor aristocracy did appear to have mottoes which were an integral part of their coat of arms – the Duke of Norfolk's was “Sola Virtus Invicta” meaning “Virtue alone is unconquered”. I am definitely not an expert on heraldry, mottoes etc. so someone please correct me if I have it completely wrong!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
9:32 am
October 11, 2009
Katherine of Aragon had indeed a different motto after her wedding with Arthur, and surely until her wedding with Henry. It was ” Not for my crown”, as quoted by Alison Weir, but her badge was already a pomegranate. I think she wanted to symbolized her wish to bear as many children as the pomegranate has seeds, and her foreign origin too, her pride in cominf from the same country as the fruit.
7:43 pm
August 12, 2009
4:21 pm
October 3, 2009
7:01 pm
January 9, 2010
7:04 pm
August 12, 2009
I already have one, just picked recently:
“Whatever it takes.”
(TMI – just diagnosed with breast cancer, and have already had some wrangles with insurance over what they want to and don't want to cover. I was stubborn before, so it was a quick and easy decision for me to decide I don't care how much of a pain I become for them; in fact, some days, I enjoy it.)
So as not to be a total downer, my Dad used to say our family motto was “If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all.” (non-US folks, that's a reference to/line from to a very cheesy variety show from when I was a kid.)
And his answer to every question from us about “when can we have this?” or “when can we go there?” was a standard, “When my rich uncle gets out of the poorhouse.” So disappointed when I realized there was no rich uncle! So we were poor but happy with a comedian for a father!
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
9:57 pm
January 9, 2010
Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Impish I've lost both my mum and step-dad to cancer over the past couple of years so I'll be thinking of you *hugs*
On the bright side I like your motto – give those insurance people hell!!!!
And here in New Zealand we've got a Maori saying, 'kia kaha' which means 'be strong'
“Not if, but when” – but only in regards to good things! Or how about “Hakuna Matata” or “no worries” from The Lion King!
Impish, you're one of the strongest people I know so you will beat this thing “not if, but when” – so give those insurance people hell. It just makes me angry about all those people that don't fight the companies and how they are denied medication etc.
By the way, perhaps Catherine's pomegranate was also referring to Granada, the city which her mother and father successfully took from the Moors. “Granada” means “pomegranate” so the fruit may have been a reminder of her parents' strength, determination and success – or am I reading too much into it??
How about crests? What would you have on your crest as well as your motto. I'm out of inspiration but I might have a salmon swimming against the currents or something like that.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
10:56 pm
August 12, 2009
Thanks for all your kind words. I knew there was a reason I've been pig-headed and mouthy my whole life – it was going to be needed.
Crests, crests… a book and pen, quartered with something denoting persistence, and since I love scientific things, there'd have to be something referencing that. The last quarter could be a cat since I've had them all my life. Probably black or calico/tortoiseshell, as the vast majority have been those colors.
ETA: I just thought of what could have been my childhood motto, bestowed upon me by my Dad: “Vaccinated with a phonograph needle”, since I never shut up!
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
7:00 pm
January 9, 2010
12:07 pm
February 24, 2010
Impish, You keep giving those insurance companies hell. Best of luck to you.
I was born with only one arm. What some people call a handicap. That is a word not in my vocabulary, however. My motto would have to be “Where There's A Will, There 's A Way.” Or, “Never Say, I Can't.” These two sayings have gotten me thru many troubling times. When people would say to me 'You cn't do that,” these two sayings ran over and over in my head. Then I'd find a way and would tell them, never tell me I can't do something. Then I'd show them how it should be done.
Crest: Hmmm! I'm not sure. I'll have to think about that. Something with a wolf maybe. Or a lioness. Definitely a rose or two.
4:01 pm
August 12, 2009
11:57 am
February 24, 2010
Some people say I'm a little too stubborn for my own good. But that's okay. When we fight for ourselves we have to be stubborn. If we are not the other side wins. Determined is the word I would use.
I like the wolf with a Tudor rose collar. I'd have mountains in the background with a male wolf and a couple of wolf cubs. Covers my environmental beliefs. The mountains are my favorite place.
12:34 pm
October 3, 2009
Irish,
You seem feisty yet funny! I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis! I think you do have “whatever it takes” please keep your chin up and know that you have a lot of people rooting for you!!! xoxoxox!
I went through a very “lifetime movie of the week” divorce and used to say: “This too shall pass” & “that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger” all the time! those were truly my mottos and in your case I sincerely hope that they are true! sending you hugs and kisses New York style!
OXOXOXOOX
Gina
10:02 pm
August 12, 2009
Thanks, Sharon and Gina – as others have mentioned in other threads, everyone here is so nice and supportive, yet we still get passionate about 'our' Tudors. And actually, the user name is Impish; it's a reference to my cat, Imp – and his 'impish impulse' was to go swinging on the shower curtains when he was a kitten! He would literally climb about halfway up and start swinging back and forth like he thought it was his own kitty amusement ride! That stopped when he got so big, he pulled them down on himself one day. I heard this enormous clatter and looked up to see a black streak go flying out of the bathroom! He's never tried it since (whew!).
But you guys can all call me Carolyn. I thought about changing the user name, but have posted so much with this one, I think I'll just carry on.
Carolyn
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
9:16 am
October 3, 2009
Carolyn…I loved your screen name before but I ADORE it now! I think the little story that goes along with it is awesome!! I have a stray cat that I take care of that I named SCUBA cat! he is all black and he tried to come into the jacuzzi one night with my husband and me when we were dating!! Hence, Scuba cat! and I don't know if anyone remembers the Spiderman TV show from the 80's with the song: spiderman, spiderman…goes wherever a spider can… well I sing scuba cat to that a!ll the time!
Please, PLEASE keep us posted on your challenge and feel free to inbox me anytime if you need to vent, laugh or anything!
XOXOOXOXO
GINA
7:26 am
June 30, 2009
Hey
Mine would be something along the lines of 'one breath at a time' and my crest would be something to do with air/heaven, not sure really, maybe some kind of bird. Not a small or piffy one though, something big and tough!
The reason is I just take take one day at a time and try not to think too far ahead, I have cystic fibrosis hence the breathing bit.
Out of interest what were Henrys other wives?
10:18 am
February 24, 2010
missisGG said:
Hey
Mine would be something along the lines of 'one breath at a time' and my crest would be something to do with air/heaven, not sure really, maybe some kind of bird. Not a small or piffy one though, something big and tough!
The reason is I just take take one day at a time and try not to think too far ahead, I have cystic fibrosis hence the breathing bit.
Out of interest what were Henrys other wives?
Catherine's Motto: “Humble & Loyal” Her Badge: Pomegranite
Anne Boleyn's Motto: “The Most Happy” Badge: Crowned Falcon With Scepter and Tudor Roses
Jane Seymour's Motto: “Bound To Obey And Serve” Badge: Crowned phoenix rising from a castle between two red roses & two white roses
Anne of Cleves Motto: “God Send Me Well To Keep” Symbol: A gold escarbuncle
Katherine Howard Motto: “No Other Will Than His” Symbol: Crowned union of white and red rose without a thorn
Katherine Parr Motto: “To Be Useful In All That I Do” Symbol: A maiden's head rising from a large Tudor rose
If you want to know what their badges symbolize, the info can be found at: http://tudorswiki.sho.com/page…..the+Tudors
Some of their mottoes are ironic… like Anne Boleyn's, Jane Seymour's and Catherine Howard's. I imagine, however, appropriate at the time they were chosen. The rest seem to be spot on.
4:56 pm
August 12, 2009
I'll make it smaller, but… ta-da! 'My' crest – crown and cross, cat and cinquefoil. The meaning is:
The crown atop the crest is called an 'antique' or 'ancient' type, that represents the feudalistic/chivalric period that gave birth to the Plantagenets and Tudors. A cat signifies liberty, vigilance and courage, a cross signifies spirituality, and the cinquefoil (flower) signifies hope and joy. Gold is for generosity and elevation of the mind, white for peace and sincerity, blue for loyalty and truth.
(I halved it so it doesn't eat up the whole page!)
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
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