Royal pets: Monkeys, marmosets, and ferrets--Oh my!

Henry's favorite pets were his hunting dogs, especially the noble greyhounds. Wise courtiers knew to pamper Henry’s dogs to curry his favor, and it’s recorded that his dogs wore collars of velvet, some gold or pearl studded. Two of his favorite dogs: Cut and Ball.

Initially, courtiers could bring their dogs to court, but it grew to be such an issue that eventually dogs were banned—except for ladies’ lap dogs. Any pets that were permitted were required to be kept out of the lodgings and in the stables.

Henry was the only one allowed to keep ferrets. But who else would want to?

Ladies sometimes had birds like nightingales or canaries. Katherine of Aragon was painted with a monkey (image at right). Cardinal Wolsey kept a cat. The king was even offered a marmoset once. 

credits: Alison Weir