Recent Posts

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...]

Anne of Cleves – Henry VIII’s Unwanted Wife by Sarah-Beth Watkins

Anne of Cleves left her homeland in 1539 to marry the king of England. She was never brought up to be a queen yet out of many possible choices, she was the bride Henry VIII chose as his fourth wife.  Yet from their first meeting the king decided he liked her not and sought an immediate divorce.   After just six months their marriage was annulled, leaving Anne one of the wealthiest women in England.   This is the story of Anne’s marriage to Henry, how the daughter of Cleves survived him and … [Read More...]

New Year’s Day Giveaway!

Happy New Year! There's no better way to start the new year than with a giveaway. Thanks to the generosity of Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, you have a chance to win a signed copy of either 'The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII' or 'Witchcraft'. Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Karen L Largent, the winner of a signed copy of The King is Dead! To be in the running to win one of these books, leave a comment after this post specifying which you'd prefer and … [Read More...]

Save the Anne of Cleves Heraldic Panels

This mini-documentary tells the incredible story of 'The Anne of Cleves Heraldic Panels' uncovered in 2016 through a combination of curiosity, dogged-determination and breath-taking synchronicity! Read more about the panels here. Today, these panels, located in Old Warden Church, Bedfordshire, are a nationally important, historic collection illustrative of a royal interior of the mid-sixteenth century. However, the panels are under threat. Read on for a personal message from The Tudor … [Read More...]

Talking Tudors with Nathen Amin

Natalie Grueninger chats all things Beaufort Family with Nathen Amin. Visit Nathen'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 review on iTunes. Don’t forget to join our group on Facebook for all behind-the-scenes news and … [Read More...]

On the Twenty-Fifth Day of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! On the twenty-fifth day of Christmas On the Tudor Trail gave to me... the chance to win a paperback copy of Discovering Tudor London by Natalie Grueninger (moi)! To be in the running to win this book, leave a comment after this post. Conditions of Entry For your chance to win Discovering Tudor London by Natalie Grueninger, 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 … [Read More...]