Today I’m celebrating ten years of On the Tudor Trail. Ten years of sharing my love of Tudor history with the world! I remember how excited and nervous I was when I hit ‘publish’ on my first ever blog post in which I asked my “readers”, not that I actually had any yet, what their defining Tudor moment was. I could never have imagined the wondrous adventure that lay ahead or the countless hours of hard work. Balancing my all-consuming love of Tudor history with my familial and work obligations hasn’t always been easy. How does one spend countless hours immersed in the sixteenth century and yet be present in the now? Despite the challenges, I quickly discovered that if I turn my back on what I love, on what lights the lamps in my heart, I wither. Simple as that.
Giveaway now closed. Thank you for your entries!
The last decade has seen many highlights, including: the birth of my website; research trips to England and Spain; the publication of my first book, In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn; the release of four other Tudor titles; collaborations with talented bloggers, writers and artists, and the launch of my Tudor podcast, ‘Talking Tudors’. But what I’m most grateful for are the amazing, soul-feeding friendships I’ve made along the way.
Whether you’ve been with me on this journey from the very beginning or you’ve only recently found my website, thank you for accompanying me On the Tudor Trail! I’m deeply touched by your support and encouragement.
To celebrate this milestone, I’m giving away a copy of my first book baby, In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn, co-authored with Sarah Morris. However, this is not just any copy, it’s an out-of-print hardback edition, autographed by both Sarah and myself. These are not easy to come by!
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me about what ignited your love of Tudor history.
Conditions of Entry
For your chance to win this copy of ‘In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn’, you must be subscribed to On the Tudor Trail’s newsletter (if you are not already, sign up on our homepage where it says ‘Free Enewsletter Subscription’).
Then simply leave a comment after this post telling me about what ignited your love of Tudor history between now and 5 August 2019. Don’t forget to leave your name and a contact email. Please note that I have comment moderation activated and need to ‘approve’ comments before they appear. There is no need to submit your comment twice.
This giveaway is open internationally.
One winner will be selected and contacted by email shortly after the competition closes. Please ensure you’ve added natalie@onthetudortrail.com to your address book to avoid missing my email.
Here’s to the next ten years!
Natalie x
The Tudor Dynasty is so fascinating and so intriguing. I will never forget watching the movie “Anne of a thousand Days”. I was absolutely hooked on knowing more about King Henry the VIII and his wives. I love to watch any movies and reading books about this particular Dynasty.
I read The Other Boleyn Girl, and it lit the fire.
I think I bacame interested in history- (specifically beheaded queens) when I learned about Mary Queen of Scots in primary school. I discovered Tudor history while awkwardly watching “The Tudors” with my mum, and became OBSESSED with Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn. This led me to do my own research about Anne, and my love for her has only grown since then.
My interest was sparked by reading the historical novels of Margaret Campbell Barnes as a teen, and shortly after I embarked on them, The Six Wives of Henry VIII premiered on Masterpiece Theater here in the States. I had always been interested in English history of the Medieval and Renaissance periods because in studying the recorder in elementary school I discovered the music, and living near my mother and grandmother’s college, later my own, with its Medieval and Renaissance May Day celebration brought it to life.
I love your site! Thank you so much for all you do! I have always loved history, especially European history. I’m not sure what sparked my interest in Tudor history (it was so long ago). Either a documentary on the Tower of London, (omg it’s a dream of mine to go to England!!!) or a book by Jean Plaidy or Phillpa Gregory. I loved learning all about the powerful women during the War of the Roses. They are so often overlooked because they are women, but they really were the driving force behind the war. I was first introduced to Henry and his wives by David Starkey. Remarkable women, living through a hard time and doing the best they could. An amazing time, filled with intrigue and mystery. I love it! And this site had so much information and expanded my reading list! I totally think Perkin Warbeck was the real deal… even wrote a paper for school about it…lol. I Love Love this website. Congrats on 10 years!!!
Recently found you but have been fascinated/ in love with the Tudors since I could pick out my own books! Not really sure why but the whole time is just intriguing!
My first introduction to the Tudor life was watching “The Tudors” on TV. I got so addicted that I had to find some books on the subject, and now I’m totally hooked! I prefer to read historical fiction over just about anything else, though I would love to read this book!
My interest in the tudors began at school. But I really fell in love with them when I watched the tudors TV….I began reading and watching everything I could on the era as well as plantagenets and the Stuart’s weather its fiction or fact I can’t get enough of the tudors
I watched a drama with Helena Bonham-Carter as Anne Boleyn when I was younger and was so captivated by her story and had to find out more. I’ve been visiting Tudor properties and reading every book I can get my hands on ever since.
When I was a little girl I watched Anne of a Thousand Days. The next day I went to the library and got as many books as I was allowed about Anne and Henry. I have loved history all my life.
I’ve loved The Tudors since reading The Other Boleyn Girl years ago. Since then I’ve read many more authors. My best friend and I after years of doing activities for our boys now regularly do what we call bffot (best friends on Tour). So far our tour has included Hever Castle, Hampton Court., Sudeley Castle, ludlow Castle and Hailes Abbey.
Your podcast is the best… Love my car trips engrossed in Tudor history discovering new authors and places to visit…. Thankyou Natalie keep it coming
I really can’t remember what first got me started. Maybe seeing the Royal family on tv when I was a child. Or my absolute love of castles of any kind and trying to find out their history. But I think it all started with my love of the Legend of King Arthur (I know not Tudor) but just loved on from there. I started with fiction. Jean Plaidy and Allison Wait and just kept on reading and exploring on the internet from there. Oh to be able to visit that time period, if only for a while.
I’ve always loved anything Royal and I really started reading anything Tudor from watching “The Bakery Bears” podcast, as Dan loves stuff like this
Always been interested in the Tudors ever since history lessons in school.
For me it started at school. I was intrigued and fascinated by the Tudors and as I’ve grown older it continues to really engage me. It was a dangerous time to be alive for sure but it draws me.in everytime.I read or hear anything about them.
My interest in the Tudors began when I visited my local library as a young child. I spotted a portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1st (the Rainbow portrait I think it was) on the front of a history book, placed on one of the shelves. I couldn’t stop marvelling at her portrait and wanted to find out more about this impressive Queen (which I did!) She has been an inspiration to me ever since.
My Mother taught me everything Tudor since I was a little girl. Still always makes me think of her.
I don’t know when I actually became interested in British History but It was when I was a teenager some fourty years ago. My sister and I began reading books about Anne after our parents came home after a trip to England and a visit to Hever Castle. Mum brought a Hever guide book and we were so mesmerised by the pictures and information we sought out as many books about the Tudors as we could. And we never stopped. I found your website a few years ago and have enjoyed reading about our favourite historical people and indulging in all things Tudor. Since my mother now has dementia we have to show her the photos she took at Hever because she doesn’t remember very much about it. It is on my bucket list!!
My parents took us to England and Scotland when I was 12 and I was enthralled! I read everything I could about all the figures relating to the places we went. I was entranced by the stories of Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and more. The histories were as entertaining as any story you could tell a child!
My love of the tudors started young. I read a book called Elizabeth the prisoner in the 4th grade from then on I was hooked. I have ready nearly every book ever written about the tudors and seen nearly all the shows/movies ever made about them. I am completely obsessed with Anne boleyn she is my all time favorite tudor.
Many, many years ago, I read ‘Brief, Gaudy Hour’ by Margaret Campbell Barnes, and was instantly transfixed by the story of Anne Boleyn, her family, and Henry VIII. I was transported into their world, and found that I never wanted to leave! That book ignited my passion for all things Anne Boleyn related, and opened a gateway into Tudor History for me. Since that time, I have re-read the book so many times, and never tire of it. I’ve read many other books that have fanned the flames of the Tudor-inspired fire in my heart, and have visited many locations that feature in Tudor History. It is all so exciting, interesting and intriguing, full of power and passion, triumphs and tragedies, and I love it.
I have been interred in the Tudors since I was a child in the 1980s. I started with the Katherine of Aragon and went from there. My 15 year old daughter is now following in my footsteps.
Wow,
And yet I am watching the whole history on the Tudors and its a four DVD box set staring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII and yes I enjoy watching the show! but saying that Queen Ann Boleyn had 6 fingers and digging up her grave and see if she had six fingers is silly, any way, still trying to understand the movie for there’s a lot of words that I don’t understand! Still a good show! And I love watching it too!
I love the Tudor history! It is my favorite part of English history. I was fortunate enough to go to England in 2016 and I had the time of my life seeing everything Tudor, including Hampton Court Palace! I even have a Tudor rose tattoo on my wrist.
My mother bought me Jean Plaidy’s books for children about Elizabeth 1 and Mary, Queen of Scots. I have loved learning about the Tudors ever since!
In the 7th class we read a book about Princess Elizabeth of England (later Elizabeth I). From that point I got pretty interested in the story of Henry VIII and his six queens, especially his second one, Anne, fascinated me. I even started a fan fiction, in which one of her sons wasn’t a miscarriage, but kidnapped by her enemies so that she loses the grace of the King and later that son conquered London and continued the dynasty of his parents.
I’ve been interested in history since I was in school, but I really enjoyed watching The Tudors and then started reading every novel I could about this era.
My passion was ignited after I watched and read “The Other Boleyn Girl”. I couldn’t believe how corrupted a king could be and it was hard to imagine how women must have felt during these times. I’m on a lifelong quest trying to understand and grasp the time of the Tudors.
Congragulations on all your work! There is so much more success coming your way. You are truly a role model to me <3
Mrs. Rutherford taught my12th grade British lit class, and I’ve been hooked ever since!
I watched the movie Lady Jane. Fell in love, recorded movie.
My son and I went went to London in 2003, and before we left there I bought a book about Henry VIII and his six wives. I’ve been hooked ever since, and most of the books I have read have been about Anne and Elizabeth I. I have taken the online Tudo course through Futurelearn, and am currently looking for my next goal, any ideas?? Thank you!!
My husband and I will be there next year in the fall. I have a year ro make a list of all the places I want to go. The Tudors are my life, that’s all I read, and all I want to. I hope I win your book. I’d like to write a book some day!!
Love everything Tudor. Can’t remember what started the fascination but have always wanted to know more Thanks
I have always loved history but it was the Royal Diaries (those Dear America books) that really allowed me to find my love for Early Modern Europe. I read the Elizabeth I one and was fascinated! I am not actually an Elizabeth I can but it led me to Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon!
I remember my dad telling me the story of Anne Boleyn`s ghost roaming the Tower and from then on I was hooked on any thing to do w/ The Tudors. Would love to dd this book to my Tudor collection.
A birthday treat when I was 7 to visit the Tower of London sparked my interest in Anne Boleyn and Henry Tudor and it never left me
My interest in the Tudors started with the clothes. I love recreating historical costumes and lately it’s been all about the early years of the Tudor dynasty. I find that researching the clothing brings me closer to history and how people actually lived.
1984, first year at university: Prof. Dr. Marysa Demoor taught “English literature exercises” and a large part of what we did back then was analyzing Tudor time sonnets.
I have loved the Tudors since i was little. Anne Boleyn is my spirt animal. Sassy and not willing to be out down and set aside whether that meant death or loosing everything, as long as her voice was heard. I have studied them for over 6 years just because. No rhyme or reason just because. I love Royal History but Anne is my favorite. Love it. Would love to add this to my collection, have room for it to display and show my kids someday.
I started out watching the Tudors Series on HBO. After several episodes, I wanted to find out what was based on history and what was added for entertainment. This led to a love of the Tudor period that has never wavered. I have started sharing info about some of the people with my 8 year old daughter, hoping she will love the period as well. Maybe some day we will be able to tour England and visit many of the places we have read about.
When I was about 10 years old,I read something about How Mary Stuart used a secret Code to conspire against Elizabeth I,but she had a true “Police” protecting her,and Mary Stuart was discovered. For me,It was like a black novel which actually happened,I was amazed and wanted to learn more!!So I took a Stefan Zweig book my parents has,and started reading It,andthe more I read,the more I wanted to learn.And that obsession didn’t leave me Alone?
Congratulations Natalie! My Aunty Sharon has told me historical stories since I was tiny, from Cleopatra to the princes in the tower. But it was when I was about 8 & watching Anne of the Thousand with my mum (who doesn’t do history at all!) that I became really interested in Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn & the wars of the roses. Since then I haven’t been able to get enough!
I have always loved history, but recently I rewatched Showtime’s “The Tudors” with my husband and we had the best time talking about Tudor history and the politics of the time. It reignited my love of European history, especially that of English Royalty. I can’t wait to be able to explore England and see where the history actually happened with my husband.
My love for Tudor history was ignited by the figure of Anne Boleyn 8 years ago. I’ ve seen The Tudors and I demanded more and more informations about her. The story of her rise and fall, her family and herself made me craving for more specific informations. And I spent these 8 years increasing my knowledge about Tudors, their genealogy, England’s history and important figures of that time. I started visiting places connected with Tudors, spending a lot of money on hostory magazines and books, watching movies and somehow my desire for informations lasts up to this day and is constantly growing. Now, I am also using my knowledge to present (for ex. during presentations or casual conversations) The Tudors and especially Anne Boleyn to other people who knows her only as second wife of Henry VIII. After all this time I am still enormously fascinated by this dynasty and it’s ability to rule and remain famous after all this time.,
Seeing Anne of the Thousand Days as a girl sparked my interest in Henry VIII. I was outraged! As a teen I read all those historical novels from the library – worked my way through all the Jean Plaidys. Later (much later!) I thought about writing something based around the Henry and Anne story (I usually write children’s books, but this had always been there in the back of my mind), but … so many out there already! And then I thought, what if Henry were reincarnated and lived in today’s world. And had relationships with the same six women. How would all that play out in these days of #MeToo? I wrote it, and it’s being published by Penguin in the US and Little Brown in the UK, out January 2020. It’s a lighthearted read and I’m hoping so much that Tudor fans will enjoy it. (I didn’t mean to write a promotional blurb for my book, it just came out that way! I’d love to win this book and add it to my several shelves of Tudor tomes).
The first book I ever read by myself was Ladybird Elizabeth I. When I was 7, I copied portraits of Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn for our class display. At 16, I choose the name Nan Black for my Tudor re-enactment name because of Anne Boleyn, and had to argue with the school to allow me to do Renaissance History A level alongside the Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Tudor history is just part of me.
Congratulations!! Ten years, wow!
The tudorseries ignited my love for tudor history. As a dutch girl, I became interested in the history of the royals of a whole different country. After watching the series I tumbled into the world of tudor enthusiasts. I think I will never stop loving this period. Hope to visit London one day..
I first became very interested in history when I watched the 2004 movie King Arthur (with Clive Owen and Keira Knightly). From then on, any time I watched a historical fiction movie I obsessively looked up novels on that time period to read learn as much as I could about that time (without reading non-fiction books with a lot of scholarly jargon). Then I fell onto the Tudor era, and I fell even more in love with history. There are so many dramatic things that happened in every era, however, this particular time in British history really spoke to me. It combined so many different aspects I love; cultural, religious, social, and women’s history (plus all of the political and military history!) As someone who grew up in a Catholic family (but not believing in it), and as a proud feminist, I found that given the times, Anne Boleyn and many of the women of her court were feminists themselves. Using their power to push for the Reformation was just so fascinating to me that I did my Masters in History focusing on this particular part of the Tudor era.
I think it was watching The Six Wives of Henry VIII when I was a child. My uncle’s daughter from his first marriage played Mary Tudor, so that was an initial draw, but I was hooked by the intrigues at court and the lives of the unfortunate women he married. I then became fascinated with the brief life and reign of his son Edward VI due to watching The Prince and the Pauper on children’s Sunday evening tv with Nicholas Lyndhurst (Only Fools and Horses) in the two lead roles. Then my daughter got into Christ’s Hospital Bluecoat School in Horsham which had been founded by Edward VI in 1552 and where the pupil still dress in tudor school uniform. If you’ve never heard of it, google it. Then, later, I read lots of novels about it, and some history books too. I’m in the camp of thinking Henry VII or his mother Margaret Beaufort were responsible for the deaths of the Princes in the Tower.
What first sparked my interest in Tudor history was when a friend gave me the book “the other Boleyn girl” in high school. I’d never read anything like that before and become obsessed with learning about Tudor history.