If you’ve listened to Episode 71 of Talking Tudors, the first instalment of our ‘All things Boleyn’ series, you would have heard the wonderful Sandra Vasoli announce that she’d like to give a Talking Tudors podcast listener the chance to win her three books! This fabulous book bundle includes book one and two in the Je Anne Boleyn series: Struck with the Dart of Love and Truth Endures, as well as Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower: A New Assessment. I’ve read all of these and can honestly say, they’re brilliant! Please show Sandi your support by visiting her official website and following her on social media.
This giveaway is now closed.
To enter the giveaway, listen to Episode 71 and then leave a comment telling me about something you learned (or found interesting) from my conversation with Sandra Vasoli. It’s that easy!
Conditions of Entry
For your chance to win this Anne Boleyn book bundle, simply leave a comment after this post as detailed above, between now and 8 May 2020. 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. (However, please note that there may be postage delays due to Covid19)
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.
I would also really appreciate it if you’d subscribe to my podcast, and rate and review it on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. Thank you in advance, and good luck!
Nat x
Do you love Talking Tudors? You can now help support and grow the podcast! Click here.
Recently started following your podcast and LOVE IT! The episode with Sandra was intriguing. Thanks for the chance with this giveaway!
This podcast series is incredible! Natalie does and amazing job. Thank you!
Such a fabulous episode. Loved it! I particularly love how you can see the changes in their relationship over time through their letters. This is something that is such a natural part of the development of human relationships – we can see it now in the changes in tone and content in text messages, conversations, emails etc. Knowing that it is present in their letters just brings this history so much closer. Human nature really hasn’t changed that much.
Thanks for another fantastic episode Natalie.
xx
I loved this episode! I had no idea that the letters were in the Vatican. I also had no clue how difficult it was to get in to see them, but I hope that keeps them as safe as possible.
Thanks for a truly awesome show, Natalie. You’re a real treasure.
just listened to hear Sandy talk about her projects – great interview! I had heard about her visits to the Vatican; always fun to hear details..Her 2 AB books are great, I really want to read the one about the letter from the Tower. Question for Natalie/future discussion: My husband is reading Hilary Mantel series/he’s a Cromwell fan 🙂 He wants to know: You would agree, AB was pretty much hated by the general people in her own time/ she replaced beloved K of A etc… why is she so beloved today? Only bc of the tragedy of how she was killed?
Looking forward to listening more! Be well.
Hi Ellen! Thanks for listening! As for the feelings about Anne… yes there were many supporters of Katherine, but I wouldn’t say that Anne was generally hated. She was riding the cusp of religious change so that brought her both supporters and detractors. I think when she was pregnant she was looked upon as providing the hoped for prince… but she certainly did have to swim upstream. Why is she beloved today? Her story is just so fascinating – attracted the devotion and love of one of the most desirable men in the world, she was fashionable, talented, witty and polished – and the ultimate irony; instead of giving the kingdom the Tudor prince to glorify the dynasty, her daughter ended up being one of the most brilliant rulers history has known! Thanks for the question, aand any additional views are welcome!
I just adored this episode. This episode definitely prompted me to (finally) become a patron, which I’ve been meaning to do for awhile! LOL. I especially enjoyed hearing about the process Sandra had to go through in order to be able to ‘visit’ the letters! I had no idea it was that much of an ordeal… very interesting, and I’m so glad she was able to visit them twice! That would definitely be my dream.
Hi Lisa
I’m so glad you became a patron! It’s such a worthy contribution, and brings so many people great knowledge and enjoyment! Indeed being in the Vatican Library is an immense privilege and such an incredible experience. I’m so glad I can share it with others and very happy you found it interesting. Keep listening to Natalie’s wonderful contributions and take care.
Amazing as always! I was excited to hear that Sandra was able to gain access to the love letters in the Vatican Library, not once but twice. I also am curious as well to see how the letters ended up there!
Bravo Nat and Sandra!
So interesting that the letters show the development of their relationship – even evidenced through the changes in Henry’s handwriting! Also never really thought about how the letters came to the Vatican – so interesting to know that they were probably stolen as a group during Anne’s lifetime.
Wonderful episode! Thank you!
Just started listening to this podcast. I find it so interesting. I especially enjoyed the ballad, “Winter Rose.” Also, the discussion challenged my thinking that Henry VIII simply forced Anne Boleyn to acquiesce to his wooing through sheer force of will. I still am not sure what to think, but I appreciate anew, fresh perspective!
Hi Katherine, so glad it was thought provoking for you (I loved the ballad as well!) In fact, when I first went to the V Library to see the letters I felt the same way about Anne and her response to Henry’s attentions. But in absolute truth, after examining the letters I was completely convinced otherwise. I am absolutely certain Anne loved Henry a lot. Even to the time of her death. Thank you for listening!
I’m so excited for this giveaway!! Thank you Natalie and Sandra for making it happen!!
Loved the podcast! I love all things Tudor, I throughly enjoyed my trip to Hampton Court last November. The bit I found interesting was the mention of something that I have also thought about, I also wonder how the letters fell into the hands of someone which enables us to be able to understand Henry and Anne’s love in their own words.
I would love to win these books! Although I love the podcasts on today’s technology I just adore books! (You wouldn’t think I was only 27!)
I listened to the episode today and enjoyed it. I could have listened to you two talk all day.
Hi Angela, that is so sweet! Thank you and good heavens I hope you never have to listen to me all day!!
Just learned of this podcast! So excited to listen in. Love all things Tudor and finally made the trip to London last April and went out to Hampton Court, Tower etc. Would love to add your books to my collection.
I was so fascinated by the kids process Sandra had to go through at the Vatican. It made me so anxious for her!
Thank you Sarah, indeed it was quite anxiety producing to wait and wait but well worth it in the end, and it makes me happy that the letters are so well protected!
What an interesting episodet! I can only imagine what it must have felt to be able to touch those pages! It had never thought about “how” the letters came to be at the Vatican Library!! On my first trip to England we went to Windsor castle and I saw a portrait of Elizabeth I for the fist time, I cried! Love this podcast, thanks so much!
I really enjoyed the podcast. This is the first one I have listened to. I will definitely adding it to my favs on Spotify. I love how she explained the different ways Henry wrote and what the different things like ink spots, doodles, size, etc. could mean.
I was unfamiliar with the letters specifics so everything was new and interesting to me. Mrs. Vasoli mentioned that the letters were available online. Do you know where?
I find the idea that her letters were stolen and sent to the Pope for evidence is intriguing.
Again, I really enjoyed this discussion. Thank you for taking the time to do your podcast.
Really loved this episode. I visited Vatican City a couple of years ago so it was fascinating to hear about it. It’s a beautiful place. I’ve listened to a few podcasts with Sandra and her enthusiasm just wants you to learn more. Thank you for putting this together during such a testing time.
Thank you Anna! Very very kind of you to say! We enjoyed doing it so much!
I absolutely love Talking Tudors podcasts! I’ve been re-listening my favourite episodes and this one definitely became one of them. I loved the part about little heart in the letter and how Henry must have cared and took time and effort to do so. Now question ‘why’ is even more frustrating.
And Sandra’s journey to Italy, such a challenge! Wow, wasn’t aware it was such a long process…
As usual after the TT episode, my ‘booky wish list’ is getting longer! 😉
All the best Natalie and thank you for your work xx
The fact that the Vatican library has copies of their love letters is just amazing.
I have never learned much of Henry’s letters to Anne. I was so fascinated to learn about how you can tell their relationship changing stages by looking at not only what was said in the letters, but how Henry was writing them. I also loved hearing Ms Vasoli’s idea on how the letters got to the Vatican. I had never thought about it before, and her idea makes complete sense! I would very much appreciate the chance to win Ms Vasoli’s work!
I had no idea how difficult it is to gain access to the letters! And I was very surprised to hear their size – I always envisioned long, large scrolls =D
The notion of Anne keeping the letters in one place and that explaining how the lot reached the Vatican made me smile. That is what women in love do ??
I loved hearing about the Vatican’s steps to ensure these priceless materials are kept safe. Makes you wonder what other incredible things they have there! I love that she was able to touch what Anne and Henry touched! Only years are between them! What an amazing opportunity! I have looked at these letters many times on the internet but to be able to touch them… wow!!
This was a fabulous episode and Sandra’s description of working with the Vatican sources and the path of her research was an eye-opener! Thank you for giving us a full month of all-Boleyn episodes!
Susan Corrigan, corrigan9457@live.com. ??
This was a particularly fascinating episode! What really appealed to me is the idea that Henry remarried so many times after Anne’s execution in an effort to recapture that intense passion and relationship he had with her. I had never thought of Henry and his relationships that way before and it was a wonderful “a-ha moment” for me.
That podcast was absolutely amazing to listen to! For me the most interesting thing was how Henry’s handwriting changes from letter to letter. Also the innuendo in the letter surprised me! 🙂
Hello! Check your inbox!
The dating of the letters has always fascinated me – I wrote a chapter of my Masters dissertation on the love letters of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and I still absolutely adore studying them and seeing what other people think about them.
Hi Helene –
How amazing that you worked on them for your dissertation! I would absolutely love to hear more of your views. If you feel like chatting about them you can always reach me at sv@sandravasoli.com Thanks for listening!
Was so looking forward to this month and all things Anne Boleyn! Thanks Natalie and Sandra for a great podcast and start to the month. As much as Henry tried to banish Anne from his and also public memory after her execution, I loved hearing of the account that he allegedly felt guilt about her death in his later years. For such a deep feeling man at the start and majority of their relationship, I always wondered if there was any evidence to support any sense of regret he may have felt. Also, looking forward to Sandra’s next instalment about the love letters and how they came to be at the Vatican. Could they have been taken during Anne’s downfall in 1536 or before this time? Are the ambitious Seymour brothers connected in anyway? The debate goes on. Thanks ladies. Looking forward to the next podcast.
Thank you Emma – for listening and for a thoughtful comment! Yes isn’t it an incredible clue that exists in the B Library about Henry’s grief? Honestly, when I stumbled on it my mouth was hanging open for probably 5 minutes. Later as I had the comments by the French friar translated I was even more in shock but ultimately it makes sense from a human perspective, and also from the provenance of the Friar Thevet’s account. So it changes things a bit when thinking about Henry and Anne and their relationship. I don’t think the letters were taken after her downfall because why bother at that point? I think they were like a ‘smoking gun’ for the Pope. That Henry’s story of an unlawful marriage to Katherine was really his ploy to get a divorce to marry the younger, hopefully more fertile, and totally alluring Anne – so they would have been taken at the height of the fight over his Great Matter – his quest for a divorce. Like maybe in 1530?
I loved listening to this conversation – Sandra’s passion for the subject & knowledge of the letters kept me rapt. I have to see Henry’s tiny heart!
Thank you Rachel. That’s so sweet and I’m glad you were interested! That letter is online, just google Henry’s love letter image. What’s hard to tell is actually how small the heart is. He worked hard on it! I wonder if he did a few copies and kept throwing them away until he got it right?!
I’m an Art History grad from CSUS (2018), and since graduating I’ve been looking for new ways to continue following and learning about the Tudors. I recently found your podcast after following a couple of Tudor History social media accounts. I really enjoyed the enthusiasm and knowledgeable episodes. I’m excited to be a continued listener. Growing up and watching movies and reading books I always felt like Anne was the “bad guy” and Anne deserves better than that. Thank you for this wonderful episode!
-Catalina Rico
I was interested to hear that Sandra feels that Anne really loved Henry. I always feel that it was more of a way to elevate herself and that, frankly, how could she say no to him. Loved both interviews with Sandra.
Hi Donna, thanks for your comment! I feel 100% that she loved him. Of course, it was always, at that time, critically important for a woman to marry well, so attention from the King was nothing to sneeze at. However – he was married already, so… as for saying no to him – a tricky subject indeed. And maybe she couldn’t have, but still, the way he referred to her and the things they obviously discussed convince me that she did indeed love him very much.
Hello, and thank you for the giveaway! I knew about the letters, and I’ve listened to every episode since the beginning. But I think , still, I am always surprised that the letters are at the Vatican! Of all places. I think, also, I automatically assumed Cardinal Campeggio had something to do with it, but didn’t know he had been searched before he left. That must have gone over well. Fascinating episode. I loved to hear about Sandra’s time at the Vatican. Thanks again for the giveaway, and I’m looking forward to a month of the Boleyns! Michelle t
Wow! The best Talking Tudors episode EVER! ? ?
I loved hearing Sandra’s explanation of what it took to SEE the letters and her descriptions of them. Her insight is most helpful. I have read the digitized letters online (the ones in English), and Sandra is right, you just don’t pick up on the small details online as you do in person (like hand pressure, haste, or even SIZE…I had no idea the letters were so small). He must’ve loved her. I didn’t notice it until Sandy mentioned it, but, yes, Henry is never stern or sharp with her in those letters…just endearing and encouraging. And to hear that from a king!! Whew! My heart is all aflutter!! I can see why she fell for him. I also didn’t know the letters were delivered to the Vatican all at once! Wow! For that to be the case, I agree that she treasured those letters (and hung onto them) and that only someone who had access to her rooms took them. I wonder if Anne ever noticed they were missing? It seems like she might’ve had the urge to take them out to read them once in awhile, particularly when Henry and Anne had lovers quarrels. It would be a reminder to her of what they had together. I also appreciate Sandra’s explanation of what she think happened in 1536 (I agree 100%) and her urge to authenticate the letter from the lady in the tower. What an endeavor! So awesome! ? Sandra’s opinion of how Henry tried to replicate the fierce passion of this love with all his other wives was interesting too. I’m always so happy that we dedicate this month to remember and honor Anne Boleyn and what occurred in 1536, because it was a horrendous miscarriage of justice. Thank you for the wonderful episode and giveaway. ? I’d love to win. ?
Best wishes to all my fellow Tudor history lovers out there!
I really appreciated hearing the how and when you felt that Anne really did love Henry. Thank you for the lovely and interesting podcast and thank you for the opportunity to win the wonderful book bundle. Be safe and stay well! Pat
I listen to your podcast whilst walking and had to walk further than I normally do in order to finish listening to this episode! I found it fascinating that the pages of the letters are so small and also the description of how small the love heart is. Sandra’s explanation of how they show the progression of their relationship is also interesting and her thoughts on how the letters came to be stolen quite plausible – had never really thought about that before!
Looking forward to the next episode but please have Sanbdra back sometime to talk about the letter from the tower!
Hi Fiona – well I am happy that my gabbing has encouraged you to walk more! Thank you for skiing Natalie to have me back…I would be happy to continue to share any additional findings I might discover in my study of the Tower Letter or the love letters! Thank you again.
Loved the podcast. I listen on my way home from work, it is perfect for leaving the working day behind. What I found intriguing about Episode 71 was that Henry appears to have actually loved Anne, believe it or not, I was never really convinced that it was love. So I’m going to do some exploring myself. Thanks!
I enjoyed this episode a lot. I found it interesting to hear the lengthy process of gaining access to the letters, how Sandra almost had to prove her passion for the subject of Anne Boleyn and just how many times they asked questions of why she wanted to see the letters. They are definitely protected as they rightly should be!
The way Sandra describes touching the letters and turning the pages carefully, made me imagine I was touching the letters, too. It must have been the most surreal experience and I am forever envious!
Thank you, Sandra. I loved it.
Thank you for the giveaway and for the podcast! Anne Boleyn is a beloved historical figure for me and I always read and learn about her.
Thus was a fascinating interview with Sandra. It must be amazing to see these letters in person and to touch the pages. I am obsessed now to read the letters and feel the obvious passion these two intriguing people had for each other. I was touched to hear how carefully he executed the design of the letters and the delicacy of the tiny heart with Anne’s initials written with his beefy hands. Thank you so much for that interview! ?
I enjoyed this section of the newsletter. I liked how she explained her information about the Vatican. I have read a lot about the Kings of England so is of interest to me. Would love to read the books.
I loved hearing about how patient and loving that Henry was in his letters to Anne Boleyn. I think Henry is seen as everything but patient. It shows how much he loved her and especially with Sandra Vasoli’s opinion that she thought Henry tried to get that feeling of love again with his other wives. There is so much to learn about their love story through his letters alone.
I found everything that Sandra said fascinating, but in particular I loved hearing about the letters; the specifics on the handwriting of Henry reveal so much (and is something that sadly future historians won’t have to study after our digital age) .
Loving the podcast!
I need to lip-read but thought I’d give this a go as I can sometimes manage with headphones. However I found I was missing too many words to make it worth my while. Pity as the comments make it sound really interesting!
Hello! This was such a wonderful podcast! So exciting! I learned that Henry was truly in love with her, not in a foolish way that can be portrayed as if he was bewitched, but as a man who knows who he is, and loves a woman.
Absolutely loved this podcast. I love how Sandra details the ink blots and the change in content from the wooing of Anne in the beginning to a more intimate relationship as time went on. I had never really thought about Henrys hand size vs the tiny pens….what a brilliant picture it left me with. Seeing a larger than life man (both in size and character), who is second only next to God…struggling to find perfect words to convey and capture…makes him seem just a little more real and human.
Thank you all so much for sharing.
This episode left me in such a state of awe. We usually just think of Anne and Henry being at crossroads with one another followed by death but it is important to realize they did in fact once love one another! I think that even Henry knew Anne was innocent even if he loved her less or no more than he once did. I look forward to reading Sandra’s books whether or not I win them to learn even more about a relationship that once was!
I have become a huge fan of podcasts in the past few years and yours is by far my favorite. I look forward to the time when you have a new episode available and always listen to that before anything else. You are a great interviewer and you have such interesting guests on varied and unusual topics. Your interview with Sandra on the letters was fascinating and thought provoking as usual!
I was very interested (and agreed with)Sandra’s theory regarding how the letters most likely ended up in the Vatican archives. I figured that they had something to do with Henry’s divorce and/or the impending split with Rome. I had made a note when the episode started to look up why the letters ended up there when I got home (listening at work) and was very happy to hear the question asked!
Thanks!
I just happen to come across this podcast this morning and I’m in love! Such interesting information about Henry and Anne’s love affair expressed in the letters. I’m very interesting in learning more about the letters. I loved how you paid attention to the details. I also am excited to learn about hetting connected to the British library.
I love this site. Loved the pod cast. I now follow you on YouTube and Iv got that notification bell so I don’t miss anything. This site brings me comfort as I am a key worker during this critical time. The pod casts are what I look forward to after work. I’d love to be in with a chance to win these books. Thank you for doing these pod casts. I love them. I am now binge listening lol.
Thankfully,I found your podcast a couple years ago and I have learned so much from you and your guests! I especially love your Tudor Takeaways
Sandra’s interview was fascinating. Many years ago, before I became a Children’s Librarian, I was a Rare Book Assistant, so I especially loved hearing about the process she went through to access the letters! I also her description of the ink blots and how insightful she was regarding the fine detail of the scribe. ie Henry VIII!
I didn’t realize how much information could be obtained from these letters! The podcast really made them come alive for me. All the emotions that existed between Anne and Henry. Just leaves the burning question of what happened to them as a couple even more burning!