A Rare Tudor Prayer Book Links Three Rivals at Henry VIII’s Court
In short: Historians have identified a gilded, bejewelled prayer book as the exact volume depicted in Hans Holbein’s portrait of Thomas Cromwell. This discovery reveals a surprising connection between three major figures of the Tudor era and tracks the book's journey through history.
The prayer book, recently discovered in the Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge, was identified by curators at Hever Castle as the same volume held by Thomas Cromwell in his famous portrait by Hans Holbein. The investigation reveals that Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine of Aragon all possessed copies of this specific printed text.
The book’s provenance is traced from Thomas Cromwell through the generations, culminating in its donation to Trinity College by Dame Anne Sadleir in 1660. This find offers a rare glimpse into the complex personal connections and shifting religious landscape of the Tudor court.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Priceless Tudor Prayer Book Identified! | Henry VIII’s Court Book of Hours
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