Short Biography
Natalie Grueninger is a Tudor history specialist, author, speaker and podcaster, who lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.
She graduated from The University of NSW in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts, with majors in English and Spanish and Latin American Studies and received her Bachelor of Teaching from The University of Sydney in 2006.
Natalie has been working in public education since graduating, and is passionate about making learning engaging and accessible for all children.
In 2009 she created On the Tudor Trail, a website dedicated to documenting historic sites and buildings associated with Anne Boleyn and sharing information about the life and times of Henry VIII’s second wife. Natalie is fascinated by all aspects of life in Tudor England and has spent many years researching the period.
Her first non-fiction book, co-authored with Sarah Morris, In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn, was published by Amberley Publishing in the UK in September 2013. Book number two in the series, ‘In the Footsteps of the Six Wives of Henry VIII’, was released in the UK in March 2016.
In 2017, Natalie collaborated with illustrator Kathryn Holeman to create ‘Colouring History: The Tudors’, a unique and beautifully illustrated colouring book for grown-ups that features images and scenes inspired by the ever-fascinating Tudor dynasty. The second book in the series, ‘Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts’, was released in May 2018. Natalie’s first solo book, ‘Discovering Tudor London’ was published in the UK by The History Press in August 2017. She has currently finished a book about the final year of Anne Boleyn’s life, titled ‘The Final Year of Anne Boleyn’. It’s due for publication in November 2022.
Natalie is also the host of ‘Talking Tudors’, a podcast for lovers of Tudor history.
How it all Began
On a cold winter’s morning in November 2000, I stepped through the gates of the Tower of London and was forever changed. Unknowingly, I had become another victim of the Tudors, but not of their politics or policy, rather, their ability to awaken curiousity and draw people into the tumultuous and dangerous period in history in which they lived, more than 500 years ago.
The sub-zero conditions were new to me, so accustomed to the mild Australian climate, but regardless of the bitter cold a spark ignited in me, a spark that over the years would grow and consume my thoughts in a way I could not yet have imagined. As I walked the grounds of the Tower, absorbing its history and its moods, I stopped on Tower Green to read a plaque that named seven victims that had met their terrible end in a private execution.
Among them was the name ‘Queen Anne Boleyn. Second wife of Henry VIII’.
This name seemed strangely familiar to me, like hearing about an old friend. Immediately, I yearned to discover more and to attempt to understand how and why this woman had met such a violent end. Why had a devoted husband turned on his own wife- his Queen- and ordered her execution? Had she been guilty of the crimes of which she was accused? What part had she played in her own demise and untimely death? Why did her name stand out above all others? I still find this final question particularly difficult to answer. Over the years I have come to think that perhaps the solution lies not in this lifetime, that perhaps we are not yet supposed to uncover the source of our strong affinity with a stranger from the past.
For me, this was the beginning of a long journey- I was undoubtedly caught in the Tudor web.
The next day, my visit to Hampton Court Palace only fuelled the fire within. Never in my life had I imagined such a place. Growing up in Australia had allowed me to indulge in exquisite landscapes and amazing coastlines but never had I ventured inside a palace or experienced the feeling that encompasses your very being when you realise you are walking on grounds where Kings and Queens once roamed, or wandering corridors that have overheard the secrets of great monarchs, witnessed the affairs of state being played out and heard the whispers of courtiers. I was humbled and honoured to be standing in a palace that had stood for hundreds of years- a palace that King Henry VIII had loved and held dear.
I was sure that hidden in the fabric of these ancient walls lay imprints of its past inhabitants and the events they played a part in. Only time separated us. Like flicking through a pile of old negatives, I wanted to peel away the layers of time and glimpse into the past. What did Henry look like in the flesh? What did Anne Boleyn’s voice sound like? I wondered if it was ever possible for a building, a space, to reveal its secrets, to play back events that echoed through its walls and floors and allow some among us to sense it.
For these reasons, On the Tudor Trail is dedicated to retracing the steps of an indelible queen. Like an exercise in time travel, this journey will take us through stately homes, chapels, parks and buildings- hidden treasures- that still stand today with a significant Tudor connection. It is also a space for sharing information about the Tudor monarchs and daily life in Tudor England, a place to discuss the ways in which the lives of historical figures from half a millennium ago still resonate powerfully with so many of us today. The focus will be on the reign of Henry VIII and the life of his second wife Queen Anne Boleyn, as I yearn to better understand their relationship and form a more detailed picture of the events that culminated on Tower Green, May 19th 1536.
So join me- on the Tudor Trail.
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Great site and the links to Glen Richardson were also useful. Could you tell me if there is an easily accessible itinerary for Henry VIII’s tour to the Field of the Cloth of Gold. I’m particulaly interested in his movements through Kent and wonder how much detail ther is beyond the key sites such as Leeds Castle. Are these listed in the itinerary and can I find it.
Many thanks
Derek
Thank you Derek! Alison Weir in her book Henry VIII: King & Court states that the king and his vast entourage stayed at Warham’s palaces at Charing and Otford, then on the 22nd May at Leeds Castle before arriving in Canterbury. Henry then lodged again at Archbishop Warham’s palace. Simon Thurley’s The Royal Palaces of Tudor England is one of the best resources I have found for those interested in the palaces and houses of the Tudor reign. I am putting together a list of all the palaces and houses that Henry owned on his death as I don’t believe there is a complete list available online yet. Hope this helps!
Hi Derek,
There isn’t a great deal of information available. He also stayed at Canterbury before leaving from Dove. I am currently writing a new book on the Field of Cloth of Gold which should be out in 2013. email me if you want further info -such as I have. Glenn
Hi Derek, is that your first book? Would be interested to hear more about it. Thanks
Hello Natalie,
I have a question.
I really don’t know if I’m putting this in the good place.
My English is not good I’m from the Netherlands.
I have seen the serie The Tudors, I really loved this serie but I wanna know the real history of the Tudors.
Unfortunatly I can’t find anny books about the history of the Tudors.
Maybe you can help me in the good directions?
Do you have anny names of book and the writers?
Maybe I can buy them in the Netherlands and know more about them.
I hope that you wanna help me a little?
Best regards
Ilse van Uitert
Hello Ilse! Of course I can help you. There are many, many books about the history of the Tudors. Are you interested in a general overview of the period? Or are you interested in a particular person? A fantastic website where you can buy great books for a good price and have them delivered FREE to your door is at the Book Depository, http://www.bookdepository.com/
I have also created a list of favourite books on my site, just look on the sidebar of my homepage, it’s called ‘Tudor Bookshelf’ here you will find both fiction and non-fiction titles. Let me know exactly what you’re looking for and I can help you further.
Hey Natalie,
I am from germany, so i dont know if my english is good. I will visit London in April 11 and i am a big Tudor Fan, i will visit the hampton court palace, Tower of london etcc.. but i have a question, do you know any website or smth like this were i can find out how the relationship between anne and henry was? and u can maybe tell me if anne was in the hampton court palace?
Greats From Germany, Angela 🙂
Hello Angela!
Anne Boleyn most definitely visited Hampton Court Palace, here is a little more information: https://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/anne-boleyn-places/palaces-and-houses/hampton-court-palace/
What aspect of Anne and Henry’s relationship would you like to learn more about? I am happy to help you 🙂
Thank you for the answer. I want to know if herny loves anne ? i am sure he had, but in the end he killed her, so its confusing me.. it would be really nice if you could help me :))
Hi Natalie,
I’ve watched all the seasons of The Tudors in highschool, and I just finished re-watching the first two seasons, when I probably should have been in class, and I’ve forgotten how much I love them! I am so fascinated by paintings from this time. I so wish I could get an idea of what Henry’s wives looked like. I was curious if you had any recommendations of some books that are closest to the Tudor history…his wives and children. I’ve always been interested in Anne Boleyn. I can remember reading books about her and Elizabeth as a kid, but those where childrens books.
Hope to hear back!
Sabrina
Dear Sabrina,
Lovely to hear from you! By far the best biography of Anne Boleyn is Eric Ives’ ‘The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn.’ It does not leave my bedside table. If you’re interested in an overview of Henry’s six wives then I would recommend Alison Weirs’ ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’. I have recently added a book store to my site and there you will find my recommendations for a variety of topics related to Tudor England. You can access the store here. Let me know if I can be of any further help 🙂
Thank you so much. It’s so cool that I’m talking to an actress! I feel celebrity struck! I love the website. There’s so much great info. I was clicking different links and I found one that makes jewelry from the show, which was all beautiful! I just might have to buy some
: )
Hi Sabrina, thank you for the lovely comments about the website. I am a little confused about the ‘actress’ part. I am definitely not an actress so I am sorry if you thought the site belonged to someone else, hope you’re not too disappointed. Natalie Dormer endorses my ‘Save Anne Boleyn’s Portrait’ page on Facebook and my name is also Natalie so maybe that is where the confusion started. Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
Oh gosh, I’m such a dummy! ” /
I still love the site!
I am glad! 🙂
Congratulations for the site, it’s wonderful.
Thank you Nyele! 🙂
Hey Natalie,
i asked you if you know smth about the relationship between herny and anne, the love betwenn herny and anne, but you didnt reply 🙁 Maybe you didnt see it? 🙂
It would be very nice if you reply me 🙂 I buyed the book from Eric Yves, its really great ! 🙂
Greats from germany
Hello! I think you’re going to enjoy Eric Ives’ book very much! I am not sure exactly what you would like to know about Anne and Henry’s relationship but here is some information. In my opinion Anne Boleyn was Henry’s greatest love! The love letters that Henry VIII wrote Anne during their relationship show that he was madly in love with her. Henry wrote them in his own hand and this is particularly significant because Henry disliked writing letters himself and very rarely did. He normally dictated letters but when it came to his love letters to Anne, he penned them in his own hand. Unfortunately, Anne’s responses are lost and so it’s more difficult to say what Anne felt for Henry but I think that she did grow to love him. Their relationship was strengthened by the fact that they shared many interests. They were both intelligent and witty, enjoyed music, poetry, hunting and debating religious matters. They were also both interested in building and worked on a number of projects together during their relationship. The fact that Henry was so in love with Anne would explain why their relationship was also so fiery! Anne had a bad temper and was prone to jealousy. She also challenged the King on a number of occasions and so they argued frequently. If only Anne had given Henry the son he so desired, she more than likely would be the one buried beside him now instead of lying headless in the ground of St Peter Ad Vincula. Hope this helps 🙂
Thank youu 🙂 But i heard that herny said that he loved jane seymour at most..so its a little bit confusing me..Because anne was only 35 years old so she had given him a son.., if he had not killed her , why he did this? Its a difficult question, because we cant ask him..but i dont know..i would give everything to know it.. thanks for your reply and your help..and thank you if you answer me:) Sorry for my english..i know its bad but i hope u will undersatand me 🙂
Hi Natalie,
what a terrific website. This must be so much work! I’m currently doing an online course on Henry VIII which is really interesting. Will have to add your website to my favourites. Thanks for your efforts.
Ella
Thank your for this lovely site, I cannot wait to read it more thorough. It’s fun to discover more and more people taking interest in Anne Boleyn.
Natalie, love your website! I love your recommendations for reading on the wives. I strongly recommend David Starkey’s “The Queens of Henry VIII” as required reading. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Lynn! My copy of David Starkey’s ‘Six Wives’ is a little ragged now as I am constantly referring to it! Hope to ‘chat’ with you more in the future 🙂
Hi Natalie,
Congratulations on a fantastic website. At last there is somebody else who is a huge Fan of Anne. Her legacy lived on in her daughter but we must embrace Anne in her own right. I can’t thankyou enough! Hope to hear from you soon!
Deborah
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Deborah! It is so nice to be able to share my passion for Tudor history with other enthusiasts. Stay in touch!
Hi Natalie, just wanted to say thank you! for a lovely website, I follow the links from facebook and it always gives me something interesting to read. I love Royal history and my interest started when I was given a book called Kings and Queens, a collection of poems for children. I still remember the poem about Henry VIII and it made me obsessed with the six wives. For my 11th birthday my Aunt took me to London and I planned my whole trip around Anne Boleyn! Thanks again. Ruth
Thank you Ruth! It is so nice to hear from happy readers, really motivates me to keep putting in the long hours. So you have been On the Tudor Trail since 11 years old – that is fabulous! Look forward to chatting with you more about all things Tudor x
Hi Natalie,
I enjoy your site so much, and am a big follower on FaceBook. I remember the rhyme I learned in childhood, from I believe a L M Alcott book, about Henry the Eighth to six spouses was wedded. I’ve never forgotten it, and came into a love of the time and tales at a young age. Thanks for having so much fun with this, and sharing it with all of us.
Thank you Tina for your support and encouragement, it means a lot to me! 🙂
Love reading your posts on the Tudors, some things i already know and some i didn’t know, but even if I already knew something i still read as i’m in love with the tudors and love anything to do with them have done since i was a child.
Keep up your great work.
Thank you Vicky! It is wonderful to be able to share my passion for Tudor history with so many enthusiastic and supportive people. Stay in touch!
Hi Natalie: Your site is wonderful, I love everything you post in it. All about history is the best for me, I was in London this year in the month of March, for 12 days, and dedicate to visit every day a History place, Hampton Court palace, Windsor Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, St Albans Cathedral, etc, well a lot of wonderful places and I will like to go back to see more places….
Owesome site…..xoxo….p.e
Hello Natalie,
I came across your website today while I was researching a trip taken by my aunt in 1925; I read with interest the account of the 11 yr. old boy meeting with something strange in Hampton Court Palace, and wanted to share my own experience. In the spring of 1993 I visited the U.K. with two friends; all three of us were at the time active in a medieval reenactment group here in the U.S. so were interested in all things relevant to that era. They wanted to visit Hampton Court and although I only had a nodding acquaintance with it, I went along for the ride. As we came up from the tube stop/train station I remember at the moment I saw the whole complex spread out before me I absolutely had hair-raising cold chills and the strangest light-headed feeling; in times past I think this would have been described as “the vapors.” I shook it off and went on to the palace. Exactly that same feeling occurred again as I turned a corner into one hallway. Once again I shook it off but learned LATER that this was the hallway by the royal chapel where Katherine Howard was said to have run to plead for mercy from Henry.
While I love history and think if reincarnation is “real” I must have spent many happy lives in England, I’ve never felt this anywhere else before or since – although I will admit to a case of “the creeps” in the Tower, in the museum at Chester (Deva) among the Roman artifacts…and in the Coliseum in Rome. Hmmm…
Just thought I’d pass this on as one more affirmation that some of the terrible emotional turmoil that took place there must have left its mark.
Hello Stephanie, thank you for taking the time to say hello. It never ceases to amaze me just how many people have experienced something they cannot truly explain at both Hampton Court and the Tower of London. I do believe that when an event is emotionally charged, some of that energy seeps into the walls and floors forming a kind of recording if you like. These recordings I think are played back at different times to those sensitive enough to ‘see’ them.
Hi Natalie
Firstly congrats you have a great site, very easy to use & full of facts & info.
I thought that I would email you as I am the site supervisor of Carew Manor which is now a school.
Carew manor is the sister building to Hampton Court. My aim is to get the grounds & building to is very best as I feel that a building such as this demands it.
I have not got the funds to spend on it as Hampton Court has so it will take a few years.
I don’t know if you have ever been to Carew Manor so if you are ever passing this way at a weekend drop me a line & I may be able to sort out a cup of tea & a tour of the Building, Grounds and the Great Hall.
Kind regards
Nicholas
Thank you for your kind words Nicholas! I agree with you that Carew Manor should be at its best, as it is a very important historical building. If there is anything I can do to help you promote the building or help raise funds please let me know as I would be delighted to assist. I would absolutely love to do a tour of the building and spectacular great hall. I will be in England next October and so hopefully can visit then. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any more help.
Warm regards,
Natalie
Natalie
You are very welcome at any time to visit Carew Manor knowing that Henry VIII, Anne Bolyen, Elizabeth I & Sir Walter Raliegh have walked/ hunted in the grounds. Sleeeping overnight as & when they wanted to.
I look forward to your visit ( No Charge)
Kind regards
Nick
Thank you so much Nicholas! I look forward to the visit. Natalie
Special Calendar: ‘Blanche Parry & Queen Elizabeth I’, superb pictures, full text, to be treasured, will not be repeated, see: http://www.blancheparry.com
This is a great website! I was so happy to find the story of AB’s locket ring here…it is one of my favorite bits of Ann Boleyn lore.
Hi Joann! Nice of you to drop by. Thank you for your lovely comment. How is the book coming along? 🙂
Dear Natalie
First of all, I love English history particularly the Tudor times. I am Japanese, I have been in uk more than 10years. Most of my English friends are puzzeled why I love the Tudor history so much. I believe because I am feeling exactly like you about The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and those medieval buildings.
I do understand your feeling “absorbing its history and its moods.
As you introduce some writers of the Tudor times, I’m afraid I haven’t read all those books.Alison Weir is one of those famous writers.I just started reading one of her books. I wouldn’t be surprised about that fact there are many Tudor history fans in the world
Welcome Eko! I love to hear from other Tudor enthusiasts and you are absolutely correct – there are Tudor fans all over the world! 🙂
Hi Natalie
What a delightful website you have, congratulations. I stumbled across it when searching for information about the voice of Anne Boleyn and ‘Q&A with Suzannah’ came up on Google. I hope you don’t mind but I have referenced it in some work I am doing on the voice of Anne Boleyn as part of my studies.
Kind Regards
Laura
Welcome Laura! I am glad that you stumbled on my website and hope that you will return often. Happy New Year!
Hi there,
I have to admit that for a very long time I didn’t know much about Britain’s royal history (I was more interested in ancient history). But my best friend Jule is a very big fan and it took her only 15 minutes to convince me, too (with a little help of the marvellous Alison Weir). And now for about 9 months I’ve been reading all kinds of books (science books as well as novels) and simply can’t get enough. And now I even found this wonderful website and I’m all excited so THANKS A LOT! 🙂
See you soon.
Warm regards
Patrizia
I would love to be given the chance of winning the valentines day book giveaway, as it looks amazing! I am a huge reader of historical fiction and adore Anne Boleyn and love to read anything that is related to Tudor history.
I would be so greatful if i could be entered into this competition. xxx
Also, i would like to thank you for such an amazing website which is really great as a lover of the tudors! It all began when i was taken to Hampton Court palace as a child aged 12, and since i have loved everything about this time period and the Royal family including reading works by CJ Sansom etcetera. xxx
hello all, big fan of this website having just spent hours browsing it, definitly bookmarked.
I consider myself a Patriotic Welshman whom is a republican nationalist against English rule in Wales….yet I have an addiction to the Tudor Dynasty in such a way I am currently half way through my first book on the Origins of the Tudor Dynasty. If anyone has any questions regarding Henry VII and his Welsh forefathers then I’m your man.
in the meantime I have only one essay to provide you with for your reading present..
http://nathenamin.com/2010/07/25/henry-viii-an-essay-exploring-the-two-sides-of-historys-most-infamous-monarch/
Enjoy
Hello Natalie! Just wanted to share with you my obsession with your website, I too fell in love with Anne and the Tudors and would absolutely die to go to England and actually BE where they once were! Thanks for all your hard work and for sharing it!
Hello Aimee! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy hearing from happy readers. The hard work is certainly worth it, especially when I hear of how much people are enjoying my posts. Natalie
Good evening Nathalie,
I am very happy to discover you!
I have the same passion as you for Tudors and for Anne and Elisabeth in particular. But in France, sources are less numerous about Tudors than in England. My passion is intense. I discovered the history of Tudors to the age of fifteen years.
You go to consider in me crazy, but since lettle girl I saw myself in my head the image of a woman in prison in the Middle Ages about. Today, I am convinced that this woman is Anne!
Yes, can be that I am crazy 🙂
Thank You!!!
Hello Daphnee, I am so glad that you found my website! I don’t think you are crazy at all, there are many people from all around the world with a special interest in Anne Boleyn. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. Natalie 🙂
Hello Natalie,
It is good to see another soul who is flying the flag for Anne Boleyn. Naive fool that I am, I am going to contact the Home Office and request a posthumous pardon for Anne. Justice must prevail, albeit six centuries too late!
Hi Gary, nice of you to say hello. It would be wonderful if she were pardoned, even if it is a little late… Good luck!
Dear Natalie,
Good morning and hearty felicitations on your wonderful site.
I have been searching for detailed information on Elizabeth I, and came across your site, and lo ‘am glued to all the wonderful articles on Tudor Monarchs.
Thank you for such an amazing website which would also prove to be a reliable source of Information and Images for people like me, from varying parts of the world.
Regards
Ranjith Mathew
Bangalore, India
Thank you Ranjith for your lovely comment! I dedicate a lot of time and energy to this website and it is always lovely to hear from happy readers. Thank you for dropping by and enjoy!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your wonderful website and will visit again soon!
Christy From Texas
Thanks for dropping by Christy and please come back soon! Natalie
Hello Natalie,
I found your web site looking to decorate my new home with the Tudor style furnishings. and I’m so glad I ran across it! I first started my obsession with the Tudor reign was watching the HBO show Tudors. Since that point I have bookshelves of books and I can never get enough. I am very jealous of your trip to England, hearing about it makes me want to get there yesterday.
Thanks for all of your lists of books, apparently there are some I have missed. I have come across some information in my research that a cousin of the Boleyn’s are the Blount’s or Blunt’s(modern day change of spelling). I have been researching my husband’s family(Blount in England and Blunt in the US) on and off and in some research have seen a cousin link with the Boleyn and I wasn’t sure if you had come across that too? or if you had any additional ideas for further research?
Thanks,
Julie
Dear Natalie,
Re your Tudor Bookshelf – readers may be interested in my two books on the Tudors:
‘Mistress Blanche, Queen Elizabeth I’s Confidante’ (available on amazon.uk and may soon be on kindle) and
‘Blanche Parry & Queen Elizabeth I’ – which is a BOOK with SUPERB PICTURES of Elizabeth I and Blanche’s life, in an innovative calendar-format to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee (available on amazon.uk).
Both give details about Elizabeth I’s childhood not found anywhere else, such as describing Lady Troy who was Lady Mistress to Elizabeth and Edward VI and who brought up these Tudor children – yes, she really did….the books are absolutely accurate. I am sure your readers would like to know about these. Thank you.
See: http://www.blancheparry.com (free website with researched information).
Dear Natalie,
I have just come across your site as I am preparing my first Tudor session as an independent heritage educator. It’s fab! Trouble is it makes my website look awful…
The information you have will be a great help to me, and I shall flag your site up with any schools I work with. Keep up the good work; I’m looking forward to your next article on the sanitation of the Tudors!
Many thanks
Adrian Love
Hello Adrian! Thank you for your lovely comments; I am glad that my website has been of help to you. I am sure that your site is not ‘awful’… remember that it’s taken me over three years to get to this point with my site, so be patient and I am sure yours will grow too! I also run a very active Facebook page, so if you haven’t already joined us there, please do. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/OntheTudorTrailRetracingthestepsofAnneBoleyn
Come back soon!
Natalie, love the website and can’t wait for the book. I was born in Rochford and went to school there so feel a deep affinity with Anne and Mary.
Two questions. Do you think, given how key Anne Boelyn was in terms of the English Reformation, that Historians should push for our most successful Monach pre democracy, Queen Elizabeth 1 DNA to be tested, to allow Anne’s body to be identified to be re-interred into Westminster Abbey. At the moment, she is identified by a grave, probably not where she is buried, by the Victorians. She deserves better and was treated poorly by her fellow Tudors including her father!
Separately, how likely is it that her head may have been secretly retrieved by her family and given a christen burial in either Horndon on the Hill or East Horndon, both parishes in Essex, once owned by the Boelyns. This was rumoured in Victorian times and both parishes still believe this could be possible.
Thanks Mark
Hi Nathalie….
I am what could seriously be called an “old broad”; I am a widow but in my earlier years, as both a food and wine historian/professional and an antiques dealer, my husband and I spend many, many memorable weeks in “Jolly Olde”! We usually would go to the tourist bureau and rent an apartment in the area we wanted to spend time in, then nest into the villages, gossip at the pubs, shop at the tiny markets and cook at our temporary home. After a week or two on this relaxing schedule, we’d meet up with an antiques tour with old friends and work like beavers searching for inventory for a week, to return home, exhausted, pounds heavier from all the puddings but happy with tons of new memories.
It was a wonderful time and a total of several glorious decades. I was the one who drove, probably since I am left handed and the change of traffic lanes was quite easy for me. Another indication of the addicted anglophile I (we) were. I read all the English history and fiction I can access and wanted to tell you how delighted I was to stumble into your site. One question: I had always assumed that Henry VIII had Anne beheaded because she had originally plith troth to another before her time at the English court and subsequent marriage. And, as I read, the troth was considered as binding as a marriage? Wrong?
Thanks for your beautiful and addictive site; it wil take days to catch up on all your entries, I relish the thought of spending time with you and your writings. Sally Fine
Thank you for taking the time to write to me Sally. Sounds like you have some wonderful memories from your travels abroad. As for Anne Boleyn, do you mean her ‘romance’ with Henry Percy? In all honesty, I don’t think this had anything to do with her downfall. I sincerely appreciate your kind words about my site and I hope to chat more in the future. Warm regards, Natalie.
Hi Nathalie….
There is so much written about Henry VIII, both historical fiction as well as historical fact.
And, I have read so much of it that I can’t cite a reference, but I do remember reading that Anne, who had a relationship with Darcy, before her days at Henry’s court, the Paris court, then a return to Henry’s court, had a plith troth to Darcy. I don’t recall that this was or was not sanctioned by her family, but, since a plith troth was considered as sacred, it prohibited any other relationship between the two participants. Hence, when Henry was unsuccessful in siring a son with Anne, he reached out for any excuse to rid himself of her. The plith troth became the beginning evidence which grew exponentally to the ridiculous charge of sexual relations with her brother.
Fascinating! The active testosterone levels of the royals has not really altered down the Centuries!! Sally
Do you mean Percy, Sally, the Duke of Northumberland son? Even though it seem they became close, there is no evidence to any pre-contraction of a marriage between them, and they both denied this at a later time. Henry Percy had also been ‘engaged’ to Mary Talbot for 6 years and was not free to do this, neither was Anne as there was negotiations going on for her to marry James Butler at this time also. I think I have this right, anyway depending on which book (factual book) you read, you will get variations of events, but for me, personally, one of the best ones to read on Anne is Eric Ives, The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, a really in depth account, and considered to be one of the most accurate. Sadly he died last year, but he has left a wonderful legacy with his books. I hope this helps Sally
Hi Natalie.
What a lovely interesting site!
I found my way here via a Google on the ‘Boleyn Bible’. I was looking for some more information on this wonderful book after being privileged to look and touch it, today.
I’m part of a local Norwich community history group and we were granted access to the bible, at it’s home, in the Norwich Millennium Library. Isn’t the book beautiful!
Keep up the good work. I’ll keep checking back.
Kind Regards
Lisa
Hi Natalie,
What you you wrote on your home page really resonated with me, I saw the Anne Boleyn plaque and felt similarly touched. If I had a time machine, I would definitely go back to the Tudor times, or may be the Plantagenet’s before them! I am pretty much obsessed! I’ve read every thing I can from Elizabeth Woodville to Elizabeth 1st. What i really want to get my hands on are copies of first hand letters, from any of the wives of Henry 8th, and his daughters. But i find their old English really hard to understand, are there any first hand letters or accounts with perhaps translations accompanying them into modern English? I’m especially interested in letters between Robert Dudley or Tom Seymour and Elizabeth 1st?I also wanted to ask you if you know where there is the best collection of Tudor paintings held in the UK,?
I have been to Hatfield House, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court Palace, Warick Castle and Kennilworth Castle, are there any others places of Tudor interest I should visit? Thanks for creating this amazing site, you give pleasure to hundreds of devotees!
kind regards
Shanna
Dear Shanna,
Thank you for taking the time to write to me, I really do love hearing from people who share my passion for Tudor history. I too love reading contemporary letters and agree that they are not always easy to understand. You might be interested in this online tutorial that’s run by The National Archives, ‘Palaeography: reading old handwriting 1500 – 1800’, here is the link http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/palaeography/.
When it comes to Tudor paintings, you cannot go past the National Portrait Gallery in London, they have around three hundred portraits of Tudor sitters. Hever Castle also has a worthy collection. As for places of Tudor interest to visit, there are so many! You didn’t mention the Tower of London, have you been there? If you’d like to chat further about places to visit, send me an email via the ‘contact us’ form and respond to you that way. Thanks again for saying hi! Natalie
Lovely website and very well researched!! Hever is an interesting, albeit heavily altered and disguised structure. The Main Hall, said to date from the late c13th, would presumably have been an open hall, heated by a central hearth. The roof timbers, if surviving, will show evidence of smoke blackening. Very different from the ‘gothick’ chamber seen by the visitor. I hope, one day, that the real history and meaning of the building will be better conveyed to the public. In Ann’s day, most of the population, up to and beyond Gentry Level, would still have dwelled in Hall Houses, few heated with wall mounted fireplaces. Floors, often of beaten earth and strewn with rushes. We live in just such a small, modest c14th stone hall house, on the South Kent Coast, where the modifications over 700 years are apparent.
Have you visited Penshurst Place, nearby in Kent? This is, perhaps, the finest surviving example of a stone built c14th Open Hall in the Country. Not only are there very strong historic associations with the Boleyn Clan, but the original usage of the Hall is apparent. Even the Open Hearth still burns in the centre of the floor space, in front of the Dias. Ann could well have warmed herself before those very stones..
kind regards from Kent. Malcolm and Janet, Plantagenet House, New Romney.
Hi Malcolm and Janet, I was very curious when I saw the name of your home, and looked it up…Wow!!
Then I saw the ‘Ghost Circle’ report…more Wows! what a lovely little house you have there, Ghosts and all. The history that is steeped into the property is marvellous and so interesting, how lucky you are to be living in it. I think 🙂 considering your ‘lodgers! .
hi, Natalie
I’m writing to you from Argentina. I’ve been a Tudor fan since I was a 12 year old child. I fall in love with Henry and Ann love story when the Internet didn’t exist in my country so I spent a whole summer trying to find info about them in all the books and magazines I had at home and I read “ann boleyn” by Evelyn Anthony. Since then, it’s hardly impossible for me not to read info about them on the web and I was happily surprised to had found your website!!!
As you had said, I wish I could have lived in Hernry’s times just to had met them and had heard their voices. Through your posts and pictures I can imagine a bit more about his amazing life, the life at court and those lovely meeting he had with his immortal quenn Ann.
Congratulations!
Kind regards,
Valeria
Hi Natalie, I too had a moment at the Tower of London but have been fascinated with Henry VIII since I was a little girl. I was born in England but live in the USA. When I was around 10 or so, our local PBS station had a series on the 6 wives of Henry and from that I was hooked! I will be visiting England in September and plan on returning to the Tower and definitely plan on visiting Hampton Court. Would love to visit Hever Castle too. Thanks for your Facebook page, I love be able to immerse myself more deeply into the Tudors! Fascinating time and crazy backstabbing going on with just about everyone. It still amazes me how Anne’s family, specifically her Uncle, abandoned and threw her under to protect themselves all the while they were the ones who put her in that position. I look forward to your postings!
Hi Natalie,
I’m also a great fan of the Tudors, although I’ve changed my opinion of some characters a lot after reading the books of Mrs Philippa Gregory. I’ve joined your group recently and i really enjoy reading your posts, viewing your beautiful pictures, because i simply adore England, its castles and countryside. i’ve been to many of the places you’ve shown us, but also would like to visit some castles that I’ve seen thanks to you and your followers. thanks a lot and keep informing us…
greetings from Serbia
Lilly (originally Ljiljana)
Discovered this site only today, although have been following Claire Ridgway’s Anne Boleyn files for a while.
People in the UK may be interested in the following places connected with Queen Anne. Hatfield House, where she would visit the infant Elizabeth, St Peter’s church Blickling with her father’s memorial brass, the Garden Church near Lambeth Palace, burial place of her mother but alas now containing a coffee shop, and the remote church of Salle, also in Norfolk, containing Boleyn brasses. It is possible that she worshipped there in her childhood. The remains of Richmond Palace in Surrey, with the window from which Elizabeth the First’s portrait ring of herself and her mother was thrown on her death to be given to her successor. This ring is now at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence. The British Museum has one of Anne’s prayer books.
There are some other places, but I shall have to look them up!
I got this web page from my buddy who told me about this site and
now this time I am browsing this web site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Hello Natalie..I am also a fan of the Tudors.I have been to London 8 times and love the history there
I have been to the Tower and Hampton Court many times
Also Windsor.I was just there in June. I always love hearing and learning more about this time of history. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall back then to see and hear these people in person. Merry Christmas , Ren’e
Thank you so much for all the work you put into this website, and especially the Christmas giveaways you just ran. I have enjoyed everything greatly, and appreciate your enthusiasm and knowledge. I wish you very happy holidays and hope the new year is your best yet!
Hello! So many individuals find after visiting a historical site where death and cruelties have been experienced by famous people, that the terror engulfs them and a need to understand this horror is the step to history. After visiting the TOWER OF LONDON, it seemed to bring to me how very powerful and experience of this type may bring on passed memories of reading and feeling these depths of emotion as a young person growing into a individual who travels to destinations that bring on these memories. Anne Boleyn, I would suppose, like Marie Antoinette had intuitions and thoughts that fore warned them of possible loss and death before committing their lives to becoming a future queen. Anne Boleyn certainly had with her, prayers, admonitions and what I call premonitions of experience, from her familial, educational and religious training. But once exposed to the allure of power and elegance, how does one individual not step into this historical theater without fears and terror and fantasies of youth?
The very place of Anne Boleyn’s death is horrifying for idea of innocence being stolen, a king without modern concepts of a woman’s health-psyche… I am frightened by how many people look at Anne Boleyn through writings that are so politically, religiously, culturally biased against the young queen.
Your web research is so well organized and written that finally a reader may get a glimpse at the real Anne Boleyn. Are you interested in Marie Antoinette? EFC