The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgway
Welcome to On the Tudor Trail Claire! Could you share with us a little about your book The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors?
Thank you so much, Natalie, it’s wonderful to be here!
How did you decide what articles to include?
The whole idea behind the book, which wasn’t my idea but that of one of my regulars, Linda, was to take the most popular articles and publish them in a special book to tie in with the website’s three year anniversary. I got my techie husband to make me a spreadsheet of the most popular posts, ones that had received the most comments, and then I took it from there. I had to do quite a bit of rewriting, some further research and I also added to them.
You grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon but presently live in Southern Spain. What is one of the things you miss most about England and one of the things you love most about Spain?
I grew up in a Warwickshire village about 12 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon and near to Coughton Court and I lived in the Cotswolds before we moved six years ago to Andalucia in Spain. It is very different here in Spain but I’m surrounded by history – our house is over 300 years old and there are Moorish remaims in the village. I’m also only just over an hour from the Alhambra in Granada so it’s wonderful to go there and think of Catherine of Aragon and her parents.
I love the Spanish culture – the fiestas, the laid back lifestyle, the warmth of the people and the wonderful life we have here as a family, but I do miss the Tudor buildings of the UK and the greenery of the landscape. The landscape is very arid here so it is very different, but the views from our mountain village are spectacular so I can’t complain. I have family and friends in the UK so get to go back regularly and I always make sure I get my Tudor ‘fix’!
After all the years that you have been researching the Tudors, is Anne Boleyn still your favourite person to research and write about?
Yes, Anne is still my favourite person but her brother is a close second! I find the whole family fascinating.
What books/resources have you found indispensable to your research?
When I started out researching Anne Boleyn I was lucky to stumble on Eric Ives’s book as one of the first books I read and I pretty much worked through his bibliography of primary sources. I couldn’t have got to the stage I’m at now without his work. I also love Letters and Papers.
Do you find it challenging to balance family life and work?
Yes! I’m so blessed to have a wonderful husband and three gorgeous children and they are so forgiving when I just can’t put down a book, document or my laptop. The Boleyns have become a big part of their lives! My children are now 14, 11 and 9 so they’re at school in the day and then are often out with friends, so that makes things easier.
What other periods of history interest you?
I love the Victorian era. If I had enough time, I’d be writing about that too but there are too few hours in the day.
Describe your working space and writing routine.
I work at home, either at my desk or on the sofa surrounded by books and papers. It tends to be the sofa in the winter as the living room is warmer and I have a laptop so it can go anywhere. I start work about 9am and work until 2pm when the kids come home from school, then we have lunch and then I go back to work while they do their homework. I then work until about 7pm. Depending on what I’m doing, I work evenings too after they’ve gone to bed.
My work is a mixture of research and writing, and also handling emails and administration for the website.
Are you presently working on any other Tudor books?
Yes. My second book, on the fall of Anne Boleyn, is nearly finished and then I’m working on two other book projects too. I’ve been working on them all for a long time now and everything is coming together nicely – busy, busy!
Share with us a little known fact about the Boleyns.
Hmmm… I think that many people see Anne Boleyn as an upstart and commoner, yet she had royal blood from both parents. Her mother was a Howard and was therefore descended from Thomas Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk and the third son of Edward I. Anne’s father was descended from the Butlers of Ormonde, magnates and justiciars of Ireland who could trace their roots back to Eleanor de Bohun, granddaughter of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile. Eleanor, in turn, was the great-granddaughter of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The Butlers took their name from serving kings as Chief Butlers of Ireland.
I love your articles and cannot wait until your next book comes out!!! You live in Spain!! Thats so cool! 🙂
Great interview, wonderful to know there are others fascinated with this amazing family
Another great interview! I have a question about the blood lines of the Boleyns and the Howards. Anne’s family was considered commoners but they had royal anceestry. Where does the royal blood end and were they considered to be of the nobility? Is there any good books available that will give us “yanks” a good understanding of how the peerage works? Thanks!
I can’t wait to add this book to my collection, it sounds like something quite different and full of info that we as fans and readers of other Anne related items will find amazing. Also can’t wait to see what the second book holds. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Thank you Natalie and Claire. Yes I can see myself now, reading The Anne Boleyn Collection, in a candlelit bath, glass of wine and my bottle stopper!! Lovely!
Glad to see Claire’s book already such a success. Yes, put me in the hat please.
Thank you, Madison and Amanda! I’m just finishing book two – phew!
Can’t wait for your second book Claire!
Thank you for the insighful interview, can’t wait to read the book!
This has been fascinating. Each day I’ve learned something new about Anne and family. Thank you Claire and the hosts of your book tour.
Wonderful interview! I had no idea you were working on so many books, Claire. Thank you, ladies 🙂
I love your website, Claire and especially like receiving the updates on certain days in history. I had the very good fortune to visit England & Wales this summer. I made it to the Tower of London and National Portrait Gallery as well as Victoria & Albert M. Next trip I would like to go to places that would be significant for Anne Boleyn. I am thinking of Hever Castle and Hampton Court Palace. Do you have any other ideas? Maybe in 2014, I will be able to do one of your tours!! 🙂 Laureen
Amazing article! Claire you have done an amazing job with the Anne Boleyn Files! I know lots of people who have coffee and read the newspaper in the morning, but I have coffee and read your daily article and then research past ones. And thats how I get my “Tudors Fix” 🙂
Great interview ladies, I liked reading about Claire’s work routine. I love that Claire has done so much research on George, I’m only new to reading Tudor History but for such an important figure in Anne’s life I find he’s somewhat neglected. I’m sure the next book Claire is writing on Anne will more than satisfy those of us wanting to find out more about George Boleyn.
I absolutely love your book, Claire. I finished it in 3 days because I had trouble putting it down. As an aspiring writing since the age of 15, I truly admire your line of work. I wish I were fortinate enough to accomplish having a popular website and my own book. Like you, I am obsessed with the Tudor Era. I am even now reading a book that discusses birth, marriage, and death during that time. It is such an interesting time period. Thanks again for all that you do!
Kristen Schock
I love reading all this information. Learning new things every time.
Great interview – I can’t wait to see read Claire’s opinion on Anne Boleyn’s downfall ! Thank you for hosting another stop on the tour!
Enjoy reading all of your research.
Loved the interview! I wish there were more questions about Anne, but then again… I think I’m going to spend sometime searching around this new website. Not only am I having a blast following your virtual book tour, but I’m being introduced to new websites about the Boleyns and that’s amazing!
Great reading. I learn so much.
Great interview, sounds like a very interesting book!
Love reading these interviews, can’t get enough of the Tudors! When I first started on facebook I read Claires page, then found Natalies page and I read them all the time for my Tudor fix! I learn so much from you both. I didn’t know you were from Warwickshire Claire, I love going there because of its connection to Robert Dudley and the Tudors. When we went last year we visited Coughton Court. Thank you to you both for the interview.
I just LOVE all things Tudor! Thanks for the awesome interview….I just can’t get enough!
I found ‘On the Tudor Trail’ and this interview with Claire via a link from Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn on Facebook and I am so glad I did! I have a passion for the Tudors, I adore Andalucia, even though I’ve never yet been, and the Alhambra is top of my list of places most wanted to visit! Top that with ancestors from Stratford-upon-Avon who were Cordwainers (I shall one day research if we supplied shoes to Shakespeare 🙂 ) additionally a desire to one day research and write an historic book… Claire, you sum up my practically idyllic life to live! I shall get the book…can’t wait!! Thank you!
Fantastic interview! I am complete agreeable with you about how fascinating the Boleyn family is! Its interesting that you discussed the bloodline and family tree a bit at the end there…I just researched a friends family tree and she goes back past William the Conqueror! I can pinpoint that her family descends from Richard Plantagenet (b. 1209) and therefore comes from the Lancastrian side of the Plantagenets. He is also responsible for the long line of Howard’s through his mistress. It’s all unbelievably fascinating! Congrats on the success of your first book!!!
Hello again Claire! I was just wondering if living in Spain has encouraged you to look more into the life of Katherine of Aragon? Also, outside of Anne, which of Henry’s wives do you find most interesting?
Another wonderful interview – have been following Claire’s tour and each interview is different and interesting. Also, On the Tudor Trail another great site!
Great articles too.
Great interview! I love it that you live so near where C of A grew up–how cool is that! I didn’t know you had 3 kids, I thought just 2. I also have 3. And I love your writing/working schedule. Very similiar to my own before I had this crazy surgery! Thanks, Natalie for hosting this! You both rock!
This was a wonderful read, thank you for sharing. I have had an indescribable fascination with Anne and the entire Tudor period for years now and cannot wait to read this book. I read everything I can online and in books and love the idea of compiling posts, brilliant! Would also be interested in anything you ever do on the Victorian period which is another of my loves. Would absolutely be delighted to be considered for the prize 🙂
Thanks for giving us insight into your daily routine! How fitting that even though you now live in Spain you are so close to the Alhambra, a place connected to Catherine of Aragon. You just can’t escape the Tudors 🙂 I can’t wait to read your books and you have also inspired me to read Eric Ive’s as well. It was also neat to learn that you are also interested in the Victorian era an era that I’m interested in too (after the Tudors of course)! Thanks again Claire!
Thank you Natalie and Claire for this interview!! 🙂
Great interview, I cannot wait to read your book!!
I have been interested in Anne Boleyn and the Tudors since I was a child. My mother intoduced me to the era and since I have read numerous non fiction and fiction books about them. I am very excited to read your book about the Boleyns as I find the dynamics of the family exciting, expecially the three siblings.
Claire’s research culminating in her very successful book shows what can be achieved through a keen interest and love for a specific period in history…in this case ..the Tudors. It’s a real bonus to all of us Tudor fans to have researchers and authors such as Claire. Well done!
Great interview. Really enjoyed it and learning more about Claire
Man, a second post as I made a mistake and did not leave my emal address, so this is a shorter version. First, Claire and I both believe Eric Ives’ book “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” to be our bibles on her. I also admire her tenacity in her working through all of the primary resources in this work, my goodness. I also had no idea Anne was a descendant of Eleanor of Aquitaine (another favorite of mine, from her annulment of marriage from Louis the Pious, and then Henry II, and I could go on and gone…). Lastly, I cannot wait for Claire’s second book on the fall of Anne Boleyn! I feel so lucky to be involved in Claire’s site, and now I’ve found a few others. Don’t worry Claire! Thank you! WilesWales
Very interesting, especially the lineage going back so far to royalty. I really look forward to reading your book
Wonderful interview! I am really enjoying following your virtual book tour Claire, not to mention all the awesome new sites I’ve come across because of it! I don’t know when I’ll have time to do anything else but read about the Tudors! Congrats to you on the success of your book and I hope it continues. Thanks!
Jen
jenwayland@optonline.net
Wow, what a lot of comments! I’m so glad you enjoyed finding out a little more about me!
Here are some answers to your questions:-
– Yes, 3 children – 2 boys and 1 girl. The boys are 14 and 9 and my daughter is 11.
– I wrote an article on Anne’s royal blood over at The AB Files. I won’t be rude and give the link here, but if you search for royal blood you should find it. Otherwise, contact me and I’ll be happy to send you more info.
– Laureen, Hever Castle can be reached from London on the train so do try and make it there. The church just outside the castle grounds is where Thomas Boleyn and little Henry Boleyn are buried.
– Tanya, my children learn Spanish history so it’s interesting to see them learning about Ferdinand and Isabella. When I travelled from Andalucia up through Spain to Santander in the summer to catch the ferry to the UK I thought a lot about Catherine and her journey from Granada to the northern coast to marry Arthur. It took us around 10 hours in a car! I love walking around the Alhambra and thinking about here there, it must have been such a shock for her leaving that beautiful palace with its running water and citrus groves and going to smelly London!
Sorry if I’ve missed any questions but it’s nearly my bedtime! Thank you for all the lovely comments, I really appreciate them, and thank you to Natalie for inviting me here.
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When I found The Anne Boleyn Files website it was a dream come true!! A whole website dedicated to the infamous 2nd wife of Henry VIII, debunking all the myths and making sure the facts are know!! And now a book!! I’ve been interested in Anne since I did a project on the six wives at primary school; I was always drawn to her but didn’t really know why.
Can’t wait til its available on Amazon UK and I can get my hands on it!! 🙂
Great interview and yet another book on the Tudor era to add to my list of must reads! This era continues to enthrall me completely!
I can’t wait to read your book claire.
Love all these notes and interviews! Would love a chance to win anything on the Tudors!! Thank You.
Great interview!I always look for more information about Anne Boleyn.I know,for sure,that there is so much more,than Henry’s historians wanted us to believe to (well,look who was their employer!).I am so glad to know,that You started erasing some of those ridiculous myths!Awesome-Anne would’ve been impressed!:)))
Wow great interview!
I so enjoy reading the articles on The Anne Boleyn Files, although I know I haven’t read all of them. I would love to have this book.
I subscribed to the On the Tudor Trail newsletter.
thanks for the chance!
Michelle Miller
truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom
Love the Anne Boleyn Files, Claire and I can’t wait to read the book. A heartfelt thanks to you for all your hard work and dedication!!
Thanks for the informative interview! I would love to write, but I guess I’ll settle on reading!
I’ve learned a lot about you Claire! I’ve been to Stratford-upon-Avon once some years ago and I want to go back because I loved this town. It’s as if it did not change since the 16th century! I really felt back to Shakespeare’s time! I’m also really glad to hear that you’re working on several books! I’m already eager to read your second book about the fall of our famous queen Anne. I wish I could win your first book, it would be an honour to read it. And I’m studying translating English into French and I do really hope one day I could translate your book in French, it would be a greatest honour!
Thanks again, I loved answering these interview questions and it’s wonderful to read your responses.
Claire, I even had a dream last night about this interview and your book! I have read your interview over and over again, and still don’t see how you can do all that you do in a 24 hour period. This interview is just great. I have to stop myself from thinking of your intellect, tenacity, family, promoting and touring your book, making it available by every possible means by yourself without an agent’s fee, etc.
Thank you! WilesWales
WilesWales@gmail.com