Family Notes

[Pullen010502.FTW]

REF: Sharon Kay Penman "Falls the Shadow" says she & Simon trickedKing Henry III (Eleanor's brother) into granting their marriagedespite Eleanor's vow of chastitiy (sworn before the Archbishop ofCanterbury at age 16 when her first husband died) by telling Henrythat she was already heavy with Simon's child.  This was not true. ThePapal dispensation (granted in the spring/early summer of 1238,required to rescind the vow) was purchased some time after the weddingfrom Eleanor's monies.  The ceremony itself was conducted at King'sChapel, Westminster Palace with only Henry present as a witness & theclergyman who married them present.