Mario Savorgnano
Mario Savorgnano, the son of Mario Savorgnano, a wealthy aristocrat, was born in Venice in 1517. He was Venetian ambassador to England and sent back reports on Henry VIII and the royal court. On 4th August, 1531, he met the king while he was hunting in Odiham Park. (1) Savorgnano wrote: "I went to a park, some thirty miles from London where the King was, taking his pleasure in a small hunting lodge, built solely for the chase, in the midst of the forest... He embraced me joyously, and then went out to hunt with from 40 to 50 horsemen." (2)
The following day Mario Savorgnano spent time with Catherine of Aragon. "In the morning we saw her Majesty dine; she had some 30 maids of honour standing round the table, and about 50 persons who performed its service. Her Court consists of about 200 persons, but she is not so much visited as heretofore, on account of the King. Her Majesty is not of tall stature, rather small. If not handsome, she is not ugly; she is somewhat stout, and has always a smile on her face." (3)
Mario Savorgnano also met Princess Mary: "The Princess came forth, accompanied by a noble lady advanced in years, who is her governess, and by six maids of honour. We kissed her hand and she asked us how long we have been in England... This princess is not very tall, has a pretty face, and is well proportioned, with a beautiful complexion and is fifteen years old. She speaks Spanish, French and Latin besides her own mother English tongue, which is well grounded in Greek, and understands Italian, but does not venture to speak it. She sings excellently and plays on several instruments, so that she combines every accomplishment." (4)
He provided one of the few eyewitness accounts of Anne Boleyn. In October 1532 he reported: "Mistress Anne is not one of the handsomest women in the world. She is of middling stature, swarthy complexion, long neck, wide mouth, bosom not much raised and in fact has nothing but the king's great appetite - and her eyes which are black and beautiful." (5)
Elizabeth was born on 7th September, 1533. Henry expected a son and selected the names of Edward and Henry. While Henry was furious about having another daughter, the supporters of his first wife, Catherine of Aragon were delighted and claimed that it proved God was punishing Henry for his illegal marriage to Anne. (6) Henry told Mario Savorgnano: "The Queen and I are both young, and if it is a girl this time, by God's grace boys will follow." (7)
Mario Savorgnano died in 1574.
Primary Sources
(1) Mario Savorgnano, letter to the Signiory of Venice (August, 1531)
The Princess came forth, accompanied by a noble lady advanced in years, who is her governess, and by six maids of honour. We kissed her hand and she asked us how long we have been in England, and if we had seen their Majesties, her father and mother, and what we thought of the country; then she turned to her attendants, desiring them to treat us well, and withdrew into her chamber.
This princess is not very tall, has a pretty face, and is well proportioned, with a beautiful complexion and is fifteen years old. She speaks Spanish, French and Latin besides her own mother English tongue, which is well grounded in Greek, and understands Italian, but does not venture to speak it. She sings excellently and plays on several instruments, so that she combines every accomplishment.
(2) Mario Savorgnano, letter to the Signiory of Venice (August, 1531)
In the morning we saw her Majesty dine; she had some 30 maids of honour standing round the table, and about 50 persons who performed its service. Her Court consists of about 200 persons, but she is not so much visited as heretofore, on account of the King. Her Majesty is not of tall stature, rather small. If not handsome, she is not ugly; she is somewhat stout, and has always a smile on her face.
(3) Mario Savorgnano, letter to the Signiory of Venice (October, 1532)
Mistress Anne is not one of the handsomest women in the world. She is of middling stature, swarthy complexion, long neck, wide mouth, bosom not much raised and in fact has nothing but the king's great appetite - and her eyes which are black and beautiful.
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