Kat Astley: Elizabeth I's Favourite

[@leonieblah8806]

It sounds very much like a mother and daughter relationship with the usual loyalty and disagreements. I think Elizabeth was very fortunate to have Kat around to love her so well. What a shame Kat didn't keep a diary, now that would have been a good read!!

[@ReadingthePast]

She didn’t keep a diary that’s been found yet… I can keep pretending it’s out there 🤣

[@Hfil66]

@@ReadingthePast Would diaries even have been a thing at the time? It would seem to be very high risk to keep such things at a time when the line between immense power and decapitation could be such a thin line, and any record in writing could be used against you.

[@DakotaFord592]

Can you imagine!! Finding a diary by Elizabeth!!

[@elisabetta611]

@@Hfil66 Well, King Edward VI kept a diary, so it was definitely a thing.

[@Martin-Tello]

@@Hfil66 en esa época no se escribían diarios o memorias. Una de las primeras en hacerlo fue Margarita de Valois tras ser encerrada en 1585 así que podríamos decir que hasta esa fecha no se escribían memorias. Hasta donde sabemos

[@yezdnil]

Kat came into Elizabeth's life when she needed a 'mother' figure most. That must have forged a very strong, probably unbreakable, bond between them. I think Kat probably did her best to shield Elizabeth from a lot of the harshness going on around her. Also, if Kat had Boleyn kin, she may have provided a different characterisation of Anne than Elizabeth would have been used to hearing from others. I think that early dependency Elizabeth had on Kat was rewarded by the former unwaveringly standing by the latter. Kat had earned Elizabeth's loyalty many times over.

[@louise14733]

I genuinely believe that Kat loved Elizabeth like a daughter ❤

[@MaesterTori]

Kat was her Mum, plain and simple, and loved her purely and unselfishly, and Elizabeth reciprocated that

[@NCKrypotonite33]

Absolutely! I couldn't agree with you more.

[@Martin-Tello]

@FelisDomina Catherine Parr podría ser. Dejando de lado la debacle con Seymour, ella fue quien convenció a Enrique VIII de reconocerla de vuelta como hija suya e influyó mucho en su educación como protestante

[@Martin-Tello]

@FelisDomina cierto. Yo considero que Kat Ashley es la verdadera figura materna de Elizabeth y es tan triste que no se le reconozca eso a excepción de la miniserie The Virgin Queen 2005. Solo digo que Catalina Parr también fue una influencia materna para Isabel, y más importante si la comparamos con las demás madrastras que tuvo

[@Martin-Tello]

@FelisDomina he visto Elizabeth R pero la verdad el primer episodio (que es el único que pude encontrar) no era bastante bueno en mi opinión y Glenda Jackson a veces grita demasiado (aunque la relación que pusieron entre Isabel y Maria I me gustó y es cierto que Isabel tiene un carácter difícil y furibundo)

[@merryannebrown]

I think Kat and Elizabeth may have shared their "favorings" of T.Seymour. Most abusers will groom the caregiver as well as the child. I also agree with many posts that there seemed to be a mother/child relationship between them.

[@sarahwatts7152]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing! Seymour must have been quite the nasty operator

[@ReadingthePast]

This is a chilling observation but it’s also so useful contextually. Grooming doesn’t happen in a vacuum! Thank you!

[@Martin-Tello]

Tal vez pero no estoy seguro. Kat varias veces intervino cuando Seymour trataba de sobrepasarse (aunque no siempre fue muy efectiva que digamos)

[@swymaj02]

Dude is totally a sexual abuser. A pedo in today's standards, probably theirs too.

[@jehannedarc1429]

Very well said,

[@pikachuisshook5535]

I've heard that Elizabeth I kept diaries - it would be great if we still had them

[@NCKrypotonite33]

I love hearing about Kat. I can't explain why exactly but she seems as if she would have been very pleasant to be around

[@ReadingthePast]

I agree 😊

[@TheLadyAstrid]

I love when you put some of these strange tales into perspective, because it reminds me that people back then are very much like people today. I never thought about Kat's "confession" being coordinated ahead of time, and it absolutely makes sense. They were much too smart to not have a back-up/worst case scenario plan!

[@ReadingthePast]

It’s one of the odd contradictions of history - the past is in many ways “another country, they do things differently there” but also human beings share common drives across the centuries. It makes it all the more fascinating as far as I’m concerned ☺️

[@TheLadyAstrid]

@@ReadingthePast definitely! Your video also got me thinking about how many royals had much older close confidants/friends. I always thought it was a bit odd they would have a lifelong relationship with, say, their wet-nurse. But being raised knowing you might inherit a position of such immense power, of course you're going to want an older mentor to explain how your predecessor/parents did things. They would have been around to witness things you can't remember or weren't yet born for.

[@williethomas5116]

Dr. Kat, as always you nailed this. I think as Agent Carter said, "Women have the greatest superpower of all time, the power of terminal underestimation". Men especially of the time often failed to see how intelligent the women beside them were. I always wondered why Elizabeth would be so quick to welcome Kat back after a betrayal that nearly got her killed. But I think you pointed out my bias. I've always known and respected Elizabeth's intellect and wit and assume she inherited it from her mother. But alas, it never dawned on me that the person teaching her must've been extremely intelligent as well. It would totally fit Elizabeth and Kat to have outmaneuvered the men of the court giving them enough to convict Seymour and not enough to convict someone of royal blood. Well done and thank you. Kat and Elizabeth seemed to be devoted to one another. Certainly Kat would have understood her fortune and future rested Elizabeth's success. As always I think you nailed it!

[@lananieves4595]

I'v always thought a film about the life of Kat Astley would be fascinating.

[@denisehill7769]

One of my favourite books as a young girl was Jean Plaidy's "Young Elizabeth" which included a retelling of the incidents with Thomas Seymour and Kat's reaction thereto; I've often felt she got it about right, portraying Elizabeth as a naive young girl and Kat as a bit of a she-wolf over her young charge. I've always thought that Anne would have been glad to know her daughter was being cared for by people who seemed to have genuine affection for her. Nice to come home to this video - we've been to Sudeley Castle and seen Katherine Parr's final (final!) resting place.

[@ReadingthePast]

I need to make a trip there! I hope you had a wonderful time 😊

[@Shane-Flanagan]

@@ReadingthePast It would be cool if you documented a trip to Sudeley and made a future video about it

[@ReadingthePast]

@@Shane-Flanagan that sounds like a brilliant plan! Thank you 😊

[@denisehill7769]

@@ReadingthePast We did, it was a fabulous place - it must have looked amazing in Thomas Seymour's day. The tomb was moving although I realise there isn't a lot of the Queen left in it; the house is a nice mix of family home and showcase (and Elizabeth's close stool, yay!). The upstairs exhibition is really good and covers a lot of the history. We visited on our Historic Houses ticket, and given there are a lot of historic houses in and around the Cotswolds it could be a cost-effective way of doing it :) PS I forgot to say, thank you for the video, great to find out more about Kat :D

[@denisehill7769]

@FelisDomina And mine!

[@cindyschell6870]

I think that Elizabeth and Kat had a mother/daughter relationship. And no matter what Elizabeth knew that Kat loved her unconditionally, unlike most of the people around her.

[@bethwilliams4760]

It appears to me that Kat and Elizabeth had a mother and daughter relationship. Who else could she confide in and trust when needing help. Other wise, this was very interesting and leaves you with much to think about. 💕😊

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

So, Kat was distantly related to the Boleyn's and thus a distant relation to Elizabeth, which speaks volumes

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

Just thought of this while watching, but perhaps the reason Kat may have been in favor of the marriage between Thomas and Elizabeth was because she was looking to protect Elizabeth’s future. The Seymour faction had firm control on the levers of power, and at that time it looked like they’d continue to hold power for many years to come. Marrying into the Seymours might’ve been seen as essentially using the devil she knew to protect against any unknown devils.

[@mrs.brunke443]

I had thoughts along this line also. Kat may have felt that marriage would have been something that would have protected a very young woman in extremely uncertain circumstances. And your thoughts that marrying a Seymour was a practical choice in terms of the power structure hold up even more in terms of offspring. Any children of Elizabeth's could potentially be a destabilizing factor in the succession. But if her potential children were not only Tudors but Seymours, just like Edward, a lot of that uncertainty, at least from the viewpoint of the Seymours, would disappear. I think you are right that Kat was hoping Elizabeth would survive all this by being married to the (seemingly) winning family.

[@LaNimrodelle]

Love your videos Dr Kat! I remember reading a story about Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, barging his way into Elizabeth's space and seeing her without the wig and the make-up she adopted later in life. If true, given what you explained about the importance of the female-only Privy Chamber, that must have been a horrendous breach of trust and personal space. Would be fascinated to hear more about Elizabeth and Essex if you're planning any more Tudor-era videos.

[@Myke_OBrien]

I agree with previous commenters that it sounds like a mother/daughter relationship. She had cared for Elizabeth from a very young age. I’m sure that her passing was very hard on the then queen. Another brilliant video; thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@audreyl1787]

I’ve always assumed that Kat pressured Elizabeth to marry Thomas Seymour because it would lessen the ruin she would face should the grooming come out, however once Kat saw a chance to get Seymour out of their lives for good she took it

[@vlmellody51]

Poor Elizabeth! It's no wonder that she was so phobic about men and marriage. She was abused and used by nearly all the men she ever encountered while growing up and later.

[@ReadingthePast]

I think being born royal was a recipe for trauma and danger (arguably, it still is to some degree).

[@vlmellody51]

@@ReadingthePast too true.

[@EmoBearRights]

@@ReadingthePast Not just royal Katherine Howard has a similar pattern of exploitation in her all too short life.

[@Hochspitz]

Dr Kat talks about Kat, what could be better learning about someone I have never heard of!

[@maryw246]

Absolutely fascinating. I have never thought of an agreement between Elizabeth and Kat to disclose details of Thomas Seymour’s disgusting behavior as a way of protecting Elizabeth. It makes perfect sense. Elizabeth would have never forgiven Kat for “telling tales out of school”if it had brought real danger to Elizabeth’s door.

[@archeanna1425]

The suntan looks wonderful! You look so relaxed. I'm happy for you.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

It must have been very hard to find anyone else Elizabeth could trust, that could help her deal with her position. Despite several incidents where Kat's activities put her trustworthiness into question, it seems that Elizabeth could find no replacement for what she provided in terms of understanding and guidance. When you think of the stress Elizabeth must have lived with, it's no wonder she hung onto Kat as long as she could.

[@carinelaberge5352]

What a treat this video was! I believe there had to be great trust and affection between the 2 to create this life long bond. Elizabeth didn't have a mother to advise her. Kat may not always have had the best advice or know exactly the right course of action, but what mother does? We all just do our best and I like to believe that's what Kat did for Elizabeth.

[@lspthrattan]

God I love the Tudor period; it's all the fun of reading a romance novel with none of the guilt! I wonder; I'm not sure if the dates work out, but could Kat's favoring Elizabeth marrying Seymour have been a way of trying to save her charge's "honor" after certain things had already happened? Also, how could the rumours of Elizabeth having a secret pregnancy factor in here? Just wondering....and opening another tab for some googling...

[@ReadingthePast]

There were certainly rumours of impropriety going around, so it is certainly possible that Kat was looking to silence them with a marriage.

[@g.c.4824]

And since its said she had irregular periods maybe she was hard to get pregnant, which could be a stroke of luck that she didn't became pregnant in this plausible tryst

[@lenabreijer1311]

@@g.c.4824 at 13 or 14 a lot of girls periods are irregular.

[@88kayleigh]

That was my thought too re: recovering some lost honour and preventing further future lapses of judgment between them. And also I’m sure an element of seeing how seemingly charmed Elizabeth was by him, and wanting her at least to make a marriage for mutual desire and affection rather than only political or financial advantage. If Kat had a motherly type of affection for her, she may have felt sentimental about that idea.

[@husseinmuhammed828]

This is unrelated but how I wish @readingthepast, dr.Kat would look into the Stuarts ,how I love that period too !!

[@ardiffley-zipkin9539]

Elizabeth was attached to Kat after her mother’s execution. The subsequent chaos of the following years was a frightening period for Elizabeth & Kat. Seymour was a charmer trying to advance his status and love interests along the way. Elizabeth was fortunate to have survived the challenges along the way. Well done !

[@MauraVH]

To me it’s no wonder that Elizabeth would hang on to a woman she trusts and who can fulfill some kind of consistent mother/instructor role in her life. I wonder if Kat knew Anne and would be able to tell Elizabeth stories of her? I’ve often wondered exactly how much Elizabeth knew/was told about her mother - I feel like the only (sort of) proof I’ve seen of an acknowledgment of their relationship is Elizabeth's ring with their miniatures

[@ReadingthePast]

As we can’t be sure exactly when Kat came to court, we don’t know if she ever met Anne. John Astley might have met Anne or at perhaps heard family stories about her. We don’t know what Elizabeth knew or felt about her mother - however she was a feature of Elizabeth’s coronation procession and it’s pageantry. This is discussed in Trea Martyn’s Elizabeth in the Garden if you want to check out the details 😊

[@MauraVH]

@@ReadingthePast ooh thanks for the source! I already had like 5 google pages open trying to find stuff out 😂

[@elizabethspedding1975]

I love hearing about Elizabeth.💜

[@annfisher3316]

Not sure how l missed this one, l enjoy the intrigues of court relationships. Your videos, research, and especially presentation are phenomenal, thank you! 💐

[@gwinniboots]

Elizabeth must have known that Kat loved her, so trusted her implicitly.

[@katiejamison4238]

I loved getting more on Kat Ashley. I didn't know she had some say/influence on wanting a match between Elizabeth and Thomas. That's interesting I wish we knew more. Come on big hidden vault with letters!! Lol

[@maryellenbashaw8390]

I agree with the mother daughter bond theories outlined below. I also love it when you wear color Dr. Kat.

[@lornamariemaynard]

Your tan is looking fabulous Dr. Kat! 🧡 I love hearing about the lives of lesser known historical figures 😌

[@gertsgarden]

For once all my chores were done when I saw your notification...so today is a great pleasure and not a guilty one! As always thank you so much for your wit and wisdom.

[@marianneb.7112]

Thank you, Dr. Kat! This is not history-related, but you look great in yellow!

[@SlightlySusan]

As some teachers come to love their pupils -- in a parental manner -- perhaps, Cat came to love Elizabeth. After all, Cat seems to have come into Elizabeth's life when E was a motherless toddler.

[@valgalloway6914]

Perhaps Sir Thomas Seymour was simply a charmer who could twist any woman round his little finger. Even the level headed Kat Ashley!

[@alayneperrott9693]

Kat seems to have been incurably romantic and soft-hearted. But maybe Elizabeth welcomed Kat's love and complete devotion - despite her accompanying misjudgments - after the loss of her own (much more ambitious and self-centred) mother.

[@mike-myke22]

Dr Kat would make a great lawyer or detective! She takes time to weigh up the evidence and doesn't make assumptions. 👍

[@CoffeeFlavoredLady]

One of my favorite videos of yours.

[@thefilmtube659]

Thank you, and have a great weekend!!!

[@dawnmuse6481]

I find both the king’s Seymour uncles to be power hungry, opportunistic and ultimately unworthy of the trust England placed in them.

[@EmoBearRights]

Perhaps it's karmic they both met bad ends although I guess we owe them for helping form Protestant England.

[@wandasimons3305]

I don’t know how I missed this video but I absolutely loved it. With your vast knowledge and resources available to you, you could write novels set during the Tudor period answering your “perhaps it was like this” or “maybe she/he did it because” questions. Your ability to bring listeners into various situations would lend itself to novels! It would be amazing!!

[@2012Ursula]

I like Margaret Irwin's take on Kat Astley in her trilogy of books about Elizabeth. She downplays Kat's probable intellectual ability, but movingly depicts her devotion to Elizabeth.

[@ReadingthePast]

I haven’t read these, they sound interesting. Thank you 😊

[@DipityS]

Agree with the below comments I see saying this was a mother and daughter - and a mother to a daughter with so much danger around her. It pleases me to think of Kat and the very young Elizabeth being able to foresee possible trouble from that step-dad creeper fellow situation and putting in place a plan of action just in case.

[@rosevale3218]

It appears Elizabeth trusted Kat implicitly. They appear to have made a great team. In a turbulent time such as falling in and out of favor with Henry VIII she'd need a confidant to confide in. Her mother's wrenching death etc. It sounds like she and Elizabeth were always working towards the same goal. Saving Elizabeth by any means. Kat acted as a mother at times and as an older sister at others it seems. Elizabeth must have felt a deep loss upons Kat's death.

[@j7333nnn]

Love the new outfit. Love your show (from WAY back !!)

[@profuy.]

Great video, as usual. Thank you.

[@Chalis53]

Another excellent talk preceded by Derren Brown telling me I was about to watch another 'Kat video'. For once he was right - doubly so.

[@janiced9960]

Perhaps the relationship between Kat Ashley and Lady Denny was felt to be so obvious that it did not need to be pointed out. There are many references to Princess Margaret but how many add rhat she is/was the queen's sister,

[@cyanidesazzmcconnell6605]

Bloody love your elizabethan videos more please x

[@bpax7119]

Kat Astley was definitely one of the positive influences and constants in Elizabeth I’s life. Her mother died when she was so young it’s unlikely remembered her at all; her father honestly seems to have done most of his best parenting when he forgot she she existed or let his wives handle details. As for the Seymour incident I think it was likely that their contact went beyond what made into the record. I think Elizabeth always had an angle. It seems I entirely plausible that they would be work out scheme where Kat admits to a situation just large enough that it is scandalous but not enough to really ruin Elizabeth’s reputation or prospects. Elizabeth was a very loyal person so maybe wouldn’t have cracking against her but I think she would set Kat up well and sent away with a nice new title and land if she couldn’t keep it together. It’s always hard to say with Elizabeth she is one those people who not only knows the game 3D chess and not checkers but is always a few moves almost anyone else. She knew that when she saw it other people too like with Willam Cecil as chief advisor and Francis Walsingham abilities as spymaster.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

Princess Mary Tudor told Elizabeth to stay away from Seymour. I believe Kat was a dedicated protestant.

[@kayleenfeher4341]

I kind of wonder if Kat and her husband were not threatened by Thomas to be behind him. I think that when she was taken to the tower she told the truth in so far as Thomas was grooming and abusing Elizabeth. They could never prove that Elizabeth was favoring Thomas and perhaps the fact that they were being threatened came out during the interrogations and this helped to show every one else was innocent and Thomas was conniving alone. I think otherwise they could have made much more of Elizabeth being involved with Thomas and found her guilty and her employees would have been executed.

[@ReadingthePast]

I think this is very plausible!

[@denisehill7769]

Also I'm sure the rest of the household must have known (or had an inkling) what had been going on; so there was little point in Kat outright lying to protect her mistress; I think it was damage limitation on her part and indeed, they could well have been threatened by Thomas.

[@dontstart8440]

you know they found the dress thought to have belonged to QE1, i think they said the church it was found in was Kats familys church? is that church linked to the Dennys? (havent listened to it all yet so I might get answered in the video lol

[@MariaPerez-hy4sn]

Such an interesting video but some reason it reminded me of the nursie character in Blackadder the second. ;)

[@christina3521]

Oh you are spot on!!

[@namenotfound4743]

I don't think we can say whether Elizabeth I should have trusted Kat Astley as we have no idea of their conversations in private. One thing I do know is women in my family taught us how to play the patriarchy against itself and having someone else report sexual abuse by a high ranking man would be believed far more readily than the woman to whom it happened. I make no claims but this is plausible enough to me that I also do not think we can judge trust.

[@NCKrypotonite33]

Perhaps they just loved one another. Kat was the closest thing to a mother that Elizabeth had. And as our natural parents make mistakes, Elizabeth felt no different towards Kat for making some of the decisions she made.

[@jamiecurry]

Thank you, Dr. Kat! Listening in Barrington, Illinois (outside Chicago).

[@roslynholcomb]

I think Elizabeth tended to be forgiving towards those she loved so even if she and Astley hadn’t planned the testimony she might have been willing to overlook the indiscretion especially as it painted her as an in innocent victim. Which, frankly I’m surprised it was seen that way. Even today women are routinely blamed for their abuse. Of course reading it that way did serve those prosecuting Seymour, so that might be the reason they chose to believe Astley. I do think Astley was enamored with Seymour and favored his suit. Which frankly is bizarre given the behavior she claims to have observed. She might have known Elizabeth loved him and wanted her to have happiness but it still strikes me as strange.

[@janebaker966]

Some men just are fanciable. The ones with charm and charisma. And if they seem bad and dangerous that can make them even more sexually enticing. The older woman Kat may well have found him appealing without actually wanting to have an affair with him or anything. That may be why he got away with appalling behaviour far longer than he should have. As for Elizabeth,even as a child she was pretty shrewd. She was just at an age when ones sexuality is emerging,a very dangerous age. I suspect when Thomas started this nonsense she found it exciting but pretty quickly realized how dangerous it was. I don't think she could just "put a stop to it". She was still legally a minor. She was living in Thomas and Catherine's house. We have all been in situations where you cant "just walk out". This experience in Elizabeth's life I think acted like an inoculation does,in that I do not think it "put her off" sex but it did confirm that sex and death were closely linked. They certainly were in the Tudor Court. I do not think Elizabeth lived a life devoid of romance despite being the Virgin Queen. Robert Dudley who I do think was "the love of her life" was around for years,but unlike her cousin the Queen of Scots who always liked to have a man onside Elizabeth was strong enough to resist the societal demand to be one of a pair,and I tell you that societal demand is as strong as ever and either denying it or not being in a position to satisfy it can still be stigmatizing so Elizabeth's lifelong singledom is even more remarkable than we think now. After all she's not The Spinster Queen is she!

[@hairyhousen8234]

Elizabeth needed friends when she was younger, and looked to her relations and their connections. I thought Kat was connected to Raleigh but he was a teenager when she died.

[@ReadingthePast]

Raleigh’s mum is a different Katherine Champernowne who may have been our Kat’s niece.

[@hairyhousen8234]

@@ReadingthePast Thanks for that information.

[@suzannedenhoedt6609]

Very cool video, loving the in-depth history info, filling in so many blanks for me. Awesome work :) thank you!

[@jenniferjohansson1325]

I know this is NOT the point of the video but I’m so distracted by how lovely that shade of yellow looks on you. It just suits you so well! Of course, now I have to watch a second time so I can retain the info in it, so it’s a win/win!

[@OnomatopoeiaOlly]

I'm looking forward to this video ☺️

[@kidmohair8151]

16:04 yes I agree...given how determinedly Elizabeth navigated the perils she faced in her life before her placement on the throne, and after, I think it is only too plausible that she had, perhaps conspirators is too strong a word, at the very least intimate advisors, whom she could trust. One of those was likely her dear Kat, literally her bosom childhood companion. That some sort of understanding was reached in regards to how to deal with the threat, physical and political, that Seymour presented, makes perfect sense. Also that it should be Kat who spilled the tea (a totally inappropriate metaphor, but hey), helped protect Elizabeth from further scrutiny at the time.

[@lyfeasmemecsit6203]

Honestly, kat Was PROFOUND

[@laciecopp637]

Looks like you have been enjoying the outdoors. You have a nice tan!

[@CarolineLower]

Related to Kat as her maiden name was Champernoun. So excited to be connected to the inner workings of the Royal household! Wish I could go back 500 years and chat to her and my relatives.

[@ariesrainbowchild]

Thank you 🙏 I love all things Tudors

[@kathyjaneburke2798]

I have always been fascinated by Kat Ashley. Perhaps they where just best friends? I would walk threw the flames of hell for mine!

[@avalonkerr8332]

Great video on an underreported story, sounds to me like the Queen saw this woman as a mother.

[@gonefishing167]

Hi Dr Kat, I think it’s perhaps hard for us to understand the traumatic conditions Elizabeth must have lived under all her life. She desperately needed a mother figure in her life and I think she found it in Kat Ashley ( or any other pronunciation). It must have made them trust each other deeply. Elizabeth wasn’t a stupid p girl ( neither was Kat Ashley) And they tried to think of all possibilities that could ‘ ring her down’. I don’t think Kat would have ever betrayed her so, if there looked like there was some such story, I’m sure a back up plan for relief, would have been made. It must have broken Elizabeth’s heart when she lost her. Kat had been there for all the life that she could remember, at least she had someone throughout who loved her deeply and for herself. Hope your family is well. Bet Gabriel is running around like a wrecking ball by now. Thanks for all you do 🙏🙏🙏👵👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Dr Kat looking quite bronzed and Summer ready! 🌞 😎 🏖️

[@sarahrosen4985]

Dr. Kat, being a mum now, do you feel you have a new appreciation for a ‘privy’ counsel? When reframed as your ‘privy counsel’, do you feel more regal getting those special visits by your young privy counselor? Always love your lessons.

[@FlyNizz]

Kat and Elizabeth I were close since Elizabeth was 3… there’s no surprise that she stayed in her household all her life. Sad these women never wrote of each other!!

[@morriganwitch]

You’re looking very healthy . Great subject , thank you xxx

[@samanthataylor5475]

Love this xx thanks chick x

[@justinekessner2645]

1 MORE THING WOW U GOT YOUR SILVER KZbin BUTTON!!!!!! WOW, I REMEMBER WHEN U HAD JUST 1 THOUSAND!!!!!!

[@reinadegrillos]

Hello, Dr. Kat and fellow followers. I think Seymour was a serial seducer and it's not difficult to assume that he seduced Kat Ashley too to accept him as a future husband for Elizabeth. I'm sure he worked to obtain her favour. As for the relationship between Kat and Elizabeth, we can say that she was a maternal figure although never seen as a true mother by Elizabeth because she most have been highly aware of the different social status. I remember Tara Fitzgerald in one series or film about the Queen. I like her very much as an actor. There has been so many series and films about Elizabeth!!!

[@GildaLee27]

Fitzgerald played Kat Astley in The Virgin Queen (2005) with Anne-Marie Duff as Elizabeth and as Dudley, Tom Hardy. The Virgin Queen Episode 1 2005 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4LbmGOEnMyii7M Everybody who loves this channel would love this series. AMD is the greatest Elizabeth I, imho.

[@MrBronx61]

@@GildaLee27 For me, the best portrayal of Elizabeth is Glenda Jackson from "Elizabeth R" (1971).

[@whaleymom76]

It seems to me that, since Kat was in Elizabeth's life for basically for ALL of Elizabeth's life, she probably viewed Kat as more of her mother than any other person would have been. Also, for pretty much all of her life, Elizabeth had almost no one in her life that she could trust. I'm sure that lack made those Elizabeth COULD trust even more precious to her.

[@takohamoolsen2432]

Elizabeth relied on Kat a lot. A real mum to Elizabeth she was. I can't help thinking that Sir Thomas Seymour had seduced Kat to get to Elizabeth.

[@Saezimmerman]

Fascinating story, but I wonder what this sort of life and upbringing would do to a person’s psyche.

[@ReadingthePast]

Me too! I don’t think it would have been a great foundation for a balanced outlook, that’s for sure 😬

[@nmritter]

I REALLY appreciate a video from yu in the morning. It enables me not to think about other things on my plate. FYI. You look amazing. What makeup do use. How about a get ready with me video as you talk ..love yu so much!!

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you, I used my Laura Geller powder foundation on this day 😊

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

How do you like it? I am looking for a good powder foundation. Thanks! ~ Your Fan, Anastacia in Cleveland

[@jodydickinson3381]

Another excellent video! Thank you!

[@lillianmcgrew217]

Hi. I really like your videos

[@eliscanfield3913]

I'm in the Kat was her real mom camp, too. Or maybe a much older sister like Mary could've been if all the other things weren't going on.

[@tonyausten2168]

Kat was a beloved mother figure and governess for Elizabeth, that is obvious. It is interesting though Kat would be actively seeking Elizabeth a marriage suite. That means she really didn't know her ward. Elizabeth was a lesbian.

[@jldisme]

I question Kat Astley's testimony that Catherine Parr took part in the cutting off of the dress incident. It seems that cat was very careful to say that she was present during the bedroom incidents with Thomas Seymour. I believe this was a way to protect Elizabeth's reputation.But was she present in person during the dress cutting incident? If she wasn't present, perhaps she added the detail that Catherine Parr was there (again to protect Elizabeth's reputation). Does anyone know if during Kat's testimony did she claim to have been present during the dress cutting incident?

[@ReadingthePast]

From the way the account of Kat’s testimony is reported, she said that Elizabeth “came up” with her gown cut into 100 pieces. Kat told her off and Elizabeth claimed she couldn’t stop Seymour because Katherine Parr was holding her. So, it’s the definition of hearsay evidence basically 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jldisme]

@@ReadingthePast Thank you Dr Kat!! So it's just possible that my theory might be correct. Food for thought for me. Wonderful and thought-provoking video!

[@yvonnemoujalli6904]

Due to Jean Plaidy book the Queen of the realm she describe Kat as a loving ,funny , and love gossip by telling young Elizabeth all news of what;s going in on in the court .she was loyal too and when kat died Queen Elizabeth locked her self in her room to grieve the loss of her beloved Kat .PS Kat her self was so fascinated by Thomas too and she did encourage young Elizabeth to consider marrying him x

[@sallyadams3981]

May we have some insight into King Edward IV and his succession please?

[@janiced9960]

Are you going to do a video on "Becoming Elizabeth" I would so love to know what you think.

[@tgreene6399]

Thank you.

[@YouTube4me]

Perhaps Kat saw that young Elizabeth was very enamored with Thomas Seymour and so she thought he would make Elizabeth happy. Kat had to know Elizabeth intimately and knew how she felt. This might be why she was supporting the Thomas and Elizabeth marriage at one point.

[@nichola607]

Great - thanks for this.

[@margo3367]

Kat interceded in Thomas Seymour’s horrific abuse of the teenaged Elizabeth on more than one occasion, if history is to be believed, so of course that would have formed an almost unbreakable bond between the two women. Who’s that Mrs. Durrell “who slept in the same bed” as Queen Elizabeth?

[@Marian-pb7fd]

Thank you for this video. I am really beginning to think that Kat Ashley is the one on the checkers ring. As Elizabeth I had a genuine love for her and never really knew her mother. Your thoughts?

[@Tiger89Lilly]

Dr Kat your looking so tanned and healthy, I hope you're well and had a good holiday.

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you, it was lovely and it was particularly fun to take my little boy paddling in the sea for the first time. He’s still asking to go to the beach a week later and he keeps trying to get his beach toys out to play with 🥰 we’re planning to take him to another one very soon

[@Tiger89Lilly]

@@ReadingthePast it doesn't change. I had to extract my 3year old from the sea with a crowbar and she now likes to paddle in a bucket of water 😂

[@Shane-Flanagan]

@@ReadingthePast Where did ye go on holiday?

[@ReadingthePast]

@@Shane-Flanagan Weymouth - it was so lovely we’re planning to make it a regular trip!

[@CmasonFrance]

Hello Dr Kat, do you have anything about Elisabeths last pretendant Le Duc d’Anjou, d’Alençon ?

[@geebrewer8186]

just curious, how was the 'less scandalous' home of Sir Denny and his wife (maybe Kat's sister) chosen? Did Kat suggest it I wonder? Might be another check on the tally that she was a sister to Joan Denny. Just seems too much of a coincidence.

[@spews1973]

Very interesting.