8 Ways To Survive A Tryst With Henry VIII (According To The Women Who Did It)

5. Woo The King While He Is Abroad

While affairs unfolding within the confines of the Tudor Court were risky, one way to survive a relationship with King Henry VIII was to keep the affair safely overseas. While King Henry VIII was considering going to war with France he stayed at the Court of Margaret of Austria, Archduchess of Savoy and Regent of the Netherlands. While there, Henry met a young maid of honour named Etienette de la Baume and rumours soon circulated of an affair between the two. The rumours were given further credibility after Henry had returned to England. Etiennette wrote to Henry and sent him gifts of birds and rare roots that were likely for medical purposes. Her accompanying letter stated that when they had parted, Henry promised that he would give Eitenette a gift of ten thousand crowns. Some historians theorise that the letter may have been an attempt at blackmailing the King due to Etiennette's intimate knowledge of his discrepancies but others disagree due to its friendly and flirtatious nature. It is unclear as to whether or not Henry gave Etiennette the money but she did send a second letter a year later that suggested that King Henry had arranged a house for her to live in. (Special credit should also be given to Etiennette de la Braume for having the most original name of all of Henry's lovers)