Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Onlineed.). Oxford: British Academy, Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198614128. OCLC 56568095. Pippa Goodhart, Historical Association Young Quills winning Author of ‘The Great Sea Dragon Discovery’ When Catherine Parr became queen in 1543, Jane may have been transferred to Catherine's household. Jane was a well-liked jester at the court of Catherine Parr, where she is mentioned by name as "Jane Foole" in 1543. [2] She may have been depicted in the painting of Henry the Eighth and His Family (1545), in which the man on the far right is identified as her colleague, court jester William Sommers. Jane is among several women suggested as the figure on the left, in the matching end panel to his. Catherine Parr died in 1548. Jane Fool apparently returned to Mary. Philippa Gregory's historical novel The Queen's Fool is focused on a female jester active in the court of Mary I, though the fictional character is not called "Jane Foole".

The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory - Dear Author REVIEW: The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory - Dear Author

This book is ideal to read as a class text and perfect for hot-seating and discussing empathy in upper KS2. It will also make a great addition to classroom collections of Tudor topic books.’ This is historical fiction at its best with a wonderful heroine everyone can root for … and real action fraught with perilous danger … Utterly compelling …’ When Mary I came to the throne in 1553, Jane was in her employ. She apparently had a favoured position with Mary and was given a valuable wardrobe and an unusually large number of shoes. Her head was shaved, just as the heads of male jesters. Jane hurt her eye in 1557. Mary gave gilt silver salts as rewards to two women who looked after her, a Mistress Ayer and a woman from Bury St Edmunds who healed her. [7] [8]What a compulsive read! I loved the main characters instantly and followed thetwists and turns of their compelling story with avid attention.’

Jane Foole - Wikipedia Jane Foole - Wikipedia

Queen Mary is so often presented as little more than a place holder before the glittering reign of her younger sister Elizabeth. When history talks about her it’s usually as a religious fanatic who turned most of England once and for all away from Catholicism. You give us a more detailed glimpse of a woman who endured remarkable changes of fortune over the course of her life. One who went from beloved daughter to reviled bastard, who saw her devoted mother cast aside, who nearly lost her throne after years of waiting for her chance yet who showed her family’s courage in seizing what was hers from the upstarts who tried to wrest it from her. I have more sympathy for her than I did yet her actions in trying to force one religion on the country reinforce my belief that Church and State definitely need to be separate. The story was once again a sobering reminder to me of how much freedom I enjoy as a 21st century woman, how unremarkable it is that I can read and write, hold a job, don’t have to walk with my head down or have my father excuse the fact that I’m educated. That I can read the Bible for myself and don’t have to fear practicing my religion. That I can speak freely and not fear being hauled away in the night to torture and interrogation before being burned alive — all in the effort to “save my soul.” These are Hannah’s very real fears and you bring them vividly to life. I also like the fact that since the story is told from the POV of a servant, we get a total picture of life in Tudor England and English Calais before it was retaken by the French.History buffs in upper juniors and above will love this. As too will anyone looking for an adventure with unique, brave, and loveable characters.’ In 1537, she is noted to be in service of Princess Mary. [4] As well as Jane, Mary also employed Lucretia the Tumbler. [5] Lucretia and Jane are known to have performed together, and Lucretia may have been Jane's minder. [6] A young woman caught in the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half sister, Elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivalries, loss of faith, and unrequited love.