This is the Tudors Dynasty podcast. And now, A Brief History with Christine Morgan.

Hi, I'm Christine Morgan, and welcome to A Brief History.

On this episode, we continue with Sir Walter Besant's account of Queen Mary the First of England

and how her reign impacted the city of London.

While there's much to be said, and at some time, dear listener,

we will talk more about Queen Mary, her health, and her marriage. This account is, as you know,

all about London and the way her reign changed life for citizens. Let's get back into our story. Everybody knows the eager hopes

and expectation with which Mary looked forward to the birth of a child. The tales of the common

people about the queen's supposed pregnancy are illustrated by a story in Hollandshed.

Quote,

There came to see me, whom I did both here and see, one Isabel Malt, a woman dwelling in

Aldersgate Street in Horn Alley, not far from the house where this present book was printed,

who before witnesses made this declaration unto us,

that she being delivered of a man-child upon Witsuntide in the morning, which was the 11th day of June,

1555, there came to her the Lord North, and another Lord to her unknown, dwelling then about Old Fish Street,

demanding of her if she would part with her child, and would swear that she never knew nor had such

child, which if she would, her son, they said, should be well provided for.

She should take no care for it, with many fair offers if she would part with the child.

After that came other women also of whom, she said, should have been the rocker.

Quote, but she in no ways would let go her son, who at the writing hereof,

being alive and called Timothy Malt, was of the age of 13 years and upward. Thus much, I say,

I heard of the woman herself. What credit is to be given to her relation, I deal not with all.

...