To explore “Fire and Blood: Boudica’s Vengeance” and more first-class history content subscribe to History Hit: http://access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=readingthepast30&plan=yearly
In today’s video we’re looking at the story of a nun who made Henry VIII her enemy…
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
Please subscribe and click the bell icon to be updated about new videos.
Also, if you want to get in touch, please comment down below or find me on social media:
Instagram: katrina.marchant
Twitter: @kat_marchant
Clubhouse: @kat_marchant
TikTok: @katrina_marchant
Email: [email protected]
Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, “Greenery” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeIkbW49B6A]
SFX from https://freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Portrait of William Warham by Hans Holbein the Younger (1528). Held by the Louvre Museum.
Elizabeth Barton, the “Maid of Kent”, executed because of her prophecies against the marriage of King Henry VIII of England to Anne Boleyn. Engraving from the History of England (1793–1806), based on a painting by Henry Tresham. From Robert Bowyer’s edition of David Hume’s History of England (1793–1806). Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons by Ireas using CommonsHelper.
Portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger (1527). Held by The Frick Collection.
Portrait of John Fisher by Hans Holbein the Younger (16th century). Held in an unidentified collection.
Thomas Wolsey by an unknown artist (c.1520). Held in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
A portrait of William Tyndale by an unknown artist (1836). From the book: The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, published in 1526. Being the first translation from the Greek into English, by that eminent scholar and martyr, William Tyndale. Reprinted verbatim, with a memoir of his life and writings by George Offor. Together with the proceedings and correspondence of Henry VIII, Sir T. More, and Lord Cromwell, By William Tyndale.
Portrait of Katherine of Aragon by an unknown artist (c.1520). Lent to the National Portrait Gallery by Church Commissioners for England, 2011.
Portrait of Henry VIII by Joos van Cleve (c.1530-1535). Held by the Royal Collection.
Portrait of Anne Boleyn by an unknown artist (c.1550). Held by Hever Castle.
Portrait of Thomas Cranmer by Gerlach Flicke (1545-1546). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein the Younger (1532-33). Held by The Frick Collection.
Paul’s Cross, an open air pulpit on the grounds of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where many English Reformers preached (1836). From the book: The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, published in 1526. Being the first translation from the Greek into English, by that eminent scholar and martyr, William Tyndale. Reprinted verbatim, with a memoir of his life and writings by George Offor. Together with the proceedings and correspondence of Henry VIII, Sir T. More, and Lord Cromwell, By William Tyndale.
“Tyburn Gate and Gallows” (1882-1909) Held by The National Archives, Kew as WORK 16/376.
Quoted texts:
Sermon Delivered at Paul’s Cross, November the 23rd, 1533, and at Canterbury, December the 7th.
Diane Watt, ODNB entry for Elizabeth Barton.
John Salcot’s sermon 1534.
Sir Thomas More’s letter (Correspondence, 481).
Letter from Cranmer to Archdeacon Hawkyns [Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. 38.]
Also consulted, were:
Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.
source
I always loved her prophecy that dogs would lick the blood of the dead Henry
I expect Elizabeth Barton truly believed in her visions, at least originally, since religious fervor was a frequent characteristic of medieval through renaissance time. At that time (and probably earlier and later) humans needed the belief system the church and other ‘organized religions’ provided as an antidote to the fear of not understanding the natural/physical sciences at work in the world. As time passed, she probably did fall victim to what everyone around her was telling her. I think the original priest that started all the kerfuffle about her was more to blame for starting the ‘media’ storm that she fell victim to. Just an opinion.
Whatever she was , she played a very dangerous game!
I would love to see a program about Margery Kempe, a medieval woman who left her home, husband & family, and took pilgrimage to the Holy Land, all while having visions and "fits". She was considered either a saint or pain in the butt by those who knew her, and was one of the very few common people who have had their life recorded. The Book of Margery Kempe is a lively read, and gives a good account of the interlocking businesses of moving pilgrims from Europe to the Middle East and back again – it was a regular tourist route. I've read her story more than once; it's quite a lively document, and gives insight into life in the late 15th century. It's also the oldest autobiography in English we have.
For her health problems to be so serious and then to be healed was probably seen by many to be miraculous. That severe illness probably tipped the balance of her mental health in terms of her gratefulness to God for the cure,and possibly convincing her she was special and had an extra obligation and duty to God. Nevertheless I dont see the long term of prophesying as real or truthful because ultimately she did confess to fabrications especially against Henry. I think she was first a religious then a political pawn from some point after her becoming a nun, and she was used, guided, or outright part of a plan to keep Henry in the Catholic church and under church authority. I think she was convinced either by her own hubris, illness, or by others, that she had enough God given power to influence the Kings future, and the kingdoms, too. When she confessed to fabrications I think her mental state was such that she was trying to resist being further used. According to the law of the time Elizabeth Barton was guilty of treason. We see her as someone who should not have been put to death for mere words, but to encourage instability in the Kings rule was quite against the law, and her interference in the Kings personal life was actually an affront to him on multiple levels. She did not hold status or office enough to make any judgements whatsoever when it was found she had lied and fabricated prophecy and I am sure Henry was highly offended by her daring, and angry at her presumption. I see her fate as set from the time she was led or was convinced she could go against the King, and the religious authorities who surrounded her must have been aware of it but hoped all focus would be on her… but why they wanted to continue to be associated with her must have been that they needed to stay close to know what else she might say about THEM… I figure that the men didnt get away with anything since they too were hanged… someone must have known Elizabeth had become a mouthpeice for the church and decided they all needed to be punished.
We'll never know if Elizabeth Barton had a connection with God. What matters is that she was a young woman, who thought she had a connection to God, wanted to serve her church and help people serve God. She had other ways to make money off the great & powerful, mainly by becoming someone's mistress.
In the end she became a tool of the great men of her time & ended the way so many others ended once they were no longer useful. Whatever her true beliefs and calling in life, she did not deserve a rough wooden scaffold & her head on a pike.
I suspect that Barton started out as an innocent but was encouraged to deception when powerful men became involved for the money to be made. Churchmen at that time were corrupt to a cartoonish level and I have no doubt that there was little compunction at using an uneducated child to fill the coffers. And what poor young woman, with no prospects for anything beyond a life of toil and hardship, wouldn't have played along with the people who were insuring that she would not have to be that person… That she could be special?
And how typical that the men would blame it on the "woman", with the requisite name calling, when their scheme became a liability.
Barton shows us that today's schemes and griftings are more of the same old same old. Her activities remind me so much of trump especially of his carrying on of the last couple of weeks.
Even if Elizabeth Barton were possessed of the power to heal the sick and raise the dead; in that day and time, speaking publicly against Henry Tudor's Great Matter, of G-D's wrath toward him, and of the shortening of his reign as a result of his current path was – quite literally – putting a noose around her own neck.
Dr.Kat, I love your voice! When I want to be soothed before bed, I watch one of your videos. I learn and relax all at the same time! Absolutely lovely.🥰
Old Henry had all the impulse control of the cocaine bear – Ms Baron never stood a chance in becoming a Catholic Christian Prophet at the time he was getting ready to cut off England from the Rome and suchlike. She was in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time.
I can't imagine what torments she was put through in order for her to retract everything she said, and they did so knowing her weakness in her health. I believe her to be a good and holy maid who's predictions did come true but in a round about way. Henry was excommunicated from the church.
She reminds me of Joan of Arc.
Another superbly informative video, I'd read about Elizabeth Barton before but you really give an excellent detailed account… By the way, do take care, you're repeating an easily-made error that I noticed in a previous video: the word is "misprision", not "misprison" – it's pronounced mis-pri-zhin, with the 'zh' like the 's' in "pleasure" (: Keep up the fantastic work, Dr Kat.
❤
✨
Thank you for the information on History Hits. I have enjoyed their shows on the Middle Ages and the history of Scotland.
She was a pawn in men's games, as women were treated in those times, with no voice of their own so definitely feel she was used as such. Poor lady, bless her soul ❤❤
I like listening to your stories of the past. Calms my mind and enriches my knowledge at the same time. Peace to you.
If she had somehow received "visions" that supported Henry viii in his Great Matter, we know without a doubt that she would have been favored and believed by the king. She simply had a different view point, so he wanted to get rid of her.
Great video!😀 I think if Elizabeth Barton lived in our time she would be diagnosed with mental illness and given medication. However, I also think that makes her no different than any other religious mystic of medieval/early modern Europe.
The problem was she lived in a country in religious, social, and political turmoil. As a religious mystic; she felt compelled to comment on the turmoil.
The fact she was pressured to recant her beliefs is sad. The fact that her recantation didn't even save her life is tragic.
Barton = idiot of the highest order, no matter her real motivations and beliefs were. That’s my opinion. To openly and publicly predict the King’s death? Was she surrounded by idiots as well, why didn’t anyone attempt to stop her? I’d have slapped my palm over her mouth the moment I realized what she was saying had she been one of my friends or family members! Then after possibly even claiming she was just delirious from a fever or something, I’d have gotten her home as soon as possible, giving her an earful the whole way!
Elizabeth Barton: new favorite historical figure!
She surely was a false prophet, since most of her prophecies regarding Henry VIII didnt come true. Saying that, she might have had some visions secondary to some medical illness which came true coincidentally. But later as she rose in fame, most of her so called prophecies were heavily influenced by the political judgement of the people around her. She may not have been a scheming cunning lady, but I think she quite genuinely believed in her own 'prophecies'.
My "knowledge" of Elizabeth Barton was previously confined to "Wolf Hall", so thank you for this. Whatever her mental and physical disposition actually was, she was certainly attention-seeking, and taking on Henry VIII's regime definitely wasn't wise.
Dear Dr.Kat I have discovered your videos by accident. I have alway been interested in history an have seen many videos but your way of narration (t is very cler that you are academic just by the way how you speak) is amazing. I have been watching all your videos one after another lately. Thank you very much for your work. I would be very happy if you had some videos on war of roses (very confusing o me) or a reaction on the Tudors series. HOwever since I have seen all your videos, it is alo possible, that you you have produced such videos. In that case I apologise. Greetings from Slovakia/ Germany.
Whatever caused her visions, I think Elizabeth Barton must have genuinely believed that her prophetic announcements were divinely inspired; how else could she have been so foolish? Predicting the downfall and death of a King, especially this King, was incredibly dangerous. It was, by definition treason. Elizabeth Barton must have had some idea of the danger but she chose to speak out anyway. That’s why I think Barton was for real. If you truly think God is on your side, speaking truth to power is a moral obligation. So she spoke out until they came for her.
Oh my god there doing a documentary on my home! I’m so excited!
Fascinating discussion Dr. Kat! Personally, I think Elizabeth Barton was a victim of what would be called today social and media pressure. It is possible that her "visons" were fever induced dreams that given the religious climate were elevated to being a direct hotline to God. It's not a stretch to imagine a pious woman being swept up in the ensuing fervor to the point where she felt untouchable. Her breaking point came when she made those predictions about the King's death. When that happened, her support vanished because everyone was too afraid to be associated with an outspoke Traitor, especially during the time of The King's Great Matter. Basically, those who had supported her now threw her under the bus, calling her a heretic and a sexual deviant.
All politics and religion is theater.
Poor Elizabeth Barton was put to death for having some sort of mental illness. Bipolar? Delusions? Combined with the era's religious superstitions. Unfortunately, Thomas Cromwell and others get involved to doom her + anumber of other innocent people. I like the Stuarts much better than the bloodthirsty Tudors.
With the U.S. release of the wonderful "The Lost King", your opinion on Richard III would be greatly appreciated! 👑🐎
I saw this video and went “ooooOOoooooohhhh!” I’ve been reading some historical fiction and it brought back up the Nun of Kent, so I’m thrilled to dive more into her history. 🤗
I am inclined to believe that Barton was truthful and sincere in her beliefs, but I don't know if that precludes her or others from recognising the benefits they brought her.
sigh across all time, it seems like the go to way to discredit any woman is to accuse her of "sexual immorality" (regardless how probable it actually is)