Recent Posts

Episode 21 – Talking Tudors with Ninya Mikhaila

Natalie Grueninger chats with historical costumier Ninya Mikhaila about Tudor clothing. Visit Ninya's official website. Join our Talking Tudors Podcast Facebook group for all the behind-the-scenes news and updates. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful Patrons! If you love Talking Tudors and would like to show your appreciation, and support the work I do, I invite you to become a part of the Talking Tudors family and become my patron! Music Break - Elizabeth's … [Read More...]

Episode 20 – Talking Tudors with Sandra Vasoli

Natalie Grueninger speaks with Sandra Vasoli about Anne Boleyn's letter from the Tower. Visit Sandra Vasoli's official website. Join our Talking Tudors Podcast Facebook group for all the behind-the-scenes news and updates. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful Patrons! If you love Talking Tudors and would like to show your appreciation, and support the work I do, I invite you to jump on the Tudor bandwagon and become my patron! Musical interlude courtesy of … [Read More...]

Use of Cotton in Tudor Times

I recently asked historical costumier Ninya Mikhaila about the availability and use of cotton in sixteenth century England, as I'd read conflicting information online. Ninya's very thorough response is published here with her kind permission. The answer to your question regarding the use of cotton in the sixteenth century is not very straightforward I'm afraid! Cotton as a raw fibre had been used as a stuffing material since the 14th century, but the technology to spin it into a yarn strong … [Read More...]

“The Worst Monarch in History?” Contextualising Henry VIII

A guest post by Haley, a long-time devotee of Tudor history; and a third-year undergrad pre-history major attending the University of Washington. "I will confess he did many things as the publican sinner, but not as a cruel tyrant, or a pharisaical hypocrite; for all his doings were open to the whole world, wherein he governed himself with so much reason, prudence, courage, and circumspection, that I wot not where—in all the histories I have read, to find one private king equal to him." — … [Read More...]

Episode 19 – Talking Tudors with Lauren Mackay

Natalie Grueninger talks with Dr Lauren Mackay about Thomas and George Boleyn. Visit Lauren Mackay's official website. Join our Talking Tudors Podcast Facebook group for all the behind-the-scenes news and updates. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing patrons! Andy, Johanna and Christina. If you love Talking Tudors and would like to show your appreciation, and support the work I do, I invite you to jump on the Tudor bandwagon and become my patron! … [Read More...]

Do You Love Talking Tudors?

You can now help support and grow the podcast on Podbean Patron! Hello fellow Tudor-history lovers, A hearty thank you for even considering supporting my podcast! Since launching ‘Talking Tudors’ in July 2018, I’ve been thrilled with how well it’s been received and excited by the ever-growing international listenership. Each fortnight, people from all over the world tune in to hear me chat with celebrated authors, historians and other experts in the era – a testament to the continued … [Read More...]

6 Castles Connected to Shakespeare by Cassidy Cash

6 Real Castles Connected To Shakespeare That You Can Actually Visit By Cassidy Cash, That Shakespeare Girl 1693 "The Prospect of their Ma'ties Castle of Sterling", engraving by John Slezer. Stirling Castle, Scotland, from the south-east, Showing James VI’s now demolished forework. From Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. Source 1. Stirling Castle The plays of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream both nod to Stirling Castle. Macbeth was written intentionally to impress James I, and I’ll … [Read More...]

Uncover the Turbulent History of Tudor England

I'm thrilled to share news of a new free online course on the Tudors written by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb and a number of other historians from the University of Roehampton including Professors Glyn Parry and Ted Vallance, and a guest appearance from Dr Joanne Paul of the University of Sussex. I've already signed up and can't wait to begin on 25 February! Who's joining me? The trailer and more info - including how to sign up - can be found here.   … [Read More...]

Episode 18 – Talking Tudors with Tracy Borman

Natalie Grueninger chats with Tracy Borman about Henry VIII, an exciting new development at Hampton Court Palace and Historic Royal Palaces' resident ghosts. Visit Tracy Borman's official website. Join our Talking Tudors Podcast Facebook group for all the behind-the-scenes news and updates. Musical interlude courtesy of guitarist Jon Sayles. Listen using the above player, on iTunes or on Stitcher. If you’ve enjoyed the episode, I would be so grateful if you’d consider leaving a … [Read More...]

A Murder by Any Name: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery by Suzanne M. Wolfe

I'm delighted to be hosting a stop on Suzanne M. Wolfe's blog tour for her new novel, A Murder by Any Name: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery. To mark the occasion, Suzanne has written a guest post entitled 'The Life and Times of Elizabethan London'. Book Blurb The court of Elizabeth I is no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in … [Read More...]

The Life and Death of Sir Charles Brandon, Tudor Knight

A Guest Article by Tony Riches King Henry VIII had few close friends, and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was his closest throughout his life. Brandon’s father, Sir William Brandon, was standard bearer for Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field - and is thought to have been killed by King Richard III on 22nd August, 1485. Young Charles Brandon was brought up at King Henry VII’s court and became a favourite of the king as well as a childhood friend of his second son - the future King … [Read More...]

Winners of the 25 Days of Christmas Mega Book Giveaway 2018!

I am thrilled to share with you the winners of our 25 Days of Christmas Mega Book Giveaway! I would like to thank the wonderful authors and historians who made this giveaway possible and thank everyone who entered the competition. A very hearty congratulations to the following people: Day 1 Danielle Dickey  (Choice of any of Wendy’s three published novels!) Day 2 Lynn Evans – (Paperback copy of Elizabeth’s Rival) Day 3 Nina – (Paperback copy of In the Footsteps of the … [Read More...]