As you might know, I was already a huge fan of Bessie Blount before this new information surfaced, so some may have been able to predict that a post about it would soon follow! The information all centers around a brand-new biography, written by historian Elizabeth Norton, called "Bessie Blount: Mistress to King Henry VIII." Technically, this book isn't even out yet, but I've already ordered my own copy and can't wait to read it! (By the way, it's the first ever written biography of Elizabeth Blount!)
Some people are now saying that, if Henry had acknowledged his daughter, he might have put her into the line of succession - meaning she would have been a Queen of England! According to some historians, both she and her brother would have been placed above Anne Boleyn's daughter - who came to be known as Queen Elizabeth I. Could Elizabeth Tailboys have been Queen Elizabeth I instead, if that had happened? We'll never know - but it's fun to speculate!
There's one more interesting tidbit I'd like to share. I never knew that two of my favorite Tudor figures were somehow connected, but alas, they are! After doing a little more research into Elizabeth Tailboys' life, I discovered that she married Lord Ambrose Dudley - brother to Robert Dudley, my favorite Tudor man! Interestingly, when Ambrose was found guilty along with his father and other brother, Guildford during the whole Lady Jane Grey ordeal, it may very well have been Elizabeth who saved his life, by sending an appeal to Philip of Spain, which freed him before the executions began! So interesting that Bessie and Robert have a connection - who would have thought?!
I hope you all have found this information as exciting as I have! Also, I encourage you to order this new book, which will contain all these details and many more!