Recent Posts

Episode 2: Talking Tudors with Conor Byrne

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.  On this day (28 July) 1540, Henry VIII married Catherine Howard at Oatlands Palace. To mark the occasion, I spoke with historian Conor Byrne about Henry's often misunderstood fifth wife. Visit Conor's blog here: http://conorbyrnex.blogspot.com The lovely musical interlude is courtesy of guitarist Jon Sayles. … [Read More...]

Talking Tudors with Sarah Morris – Episode 1

Natalie Grueninger and Sarah Morris chat about Tudor palaces and historic sites. Listen using the above player or read the transcript below. Talking Tudors is also available on iTunes. If you've enjoyed the episode, please leave a review on iTunes.  Hello and welcome to Talking Tudors, a fortnightly podcast about the ever-fascinating Tudor dynasty. My name is Natalie Grueninger and I’ll be your host and guide on this journey through sixteenth-century England. Are you ready to step … [Read More...]

Talking Tudors – Introductory Episode

In this episode, Natalie Grueninger shares some background information about herself and gives listeners a taste of what's to come in future episodes. Listen using the above player or read the transcript below.  Also available on iTunes. Hello and welcome to the inaugural episode of Talking Tudors, a fortnightly podcast about the ever-fascinating Tudor dynasty. My name is Natalie Grueninger and I’ll be your host and guide on this journey through sixteenth-century England. In this … [Read More...]

Talking Tudors Podcast with Natalie Grueninger

I am so excited to share that I'll be launching a podcast next month called Talking Tudors! As the name suggests, I'll be chatting all things Tudor with some very knowledgeable and passionate people. I can't wait to share the guest list with you. Talking Tudors, hosted by Natalie Grueninger, takes listeners on a lively journey through 16th-century England. In each episode, Natalie chats all things Tudor with celebrated authors, historians and other experts in the era. Lighthearted, fun and … [Read More...]

The Musical Lives of Henry VIII’s Wives – Katherine Parr

KATHERINE PARR-CULTIVATING AN AURA OF MUSICAL MAJESTY By Brooke C. Little  Katherine Parr- Att. Master John, National Portrait Gallery London, 16th Cent Katherine Parre, daughter of Sir Thomas and Lady Maude Parr, was born in 1512. Although the exact location of her birth cannot be determined, biographers believe she was born in close proximity to London.  Although Katherine’s education, like other young girls of her station, was particularly centered around domestic skills, music became a … [Read More...]

Tudor Ghost Story Competition

By Wendy J. Dunn Once upon a time – shaking my head in disbelief, it was over eighteen-years ago – I wrote a regular Tudor column for Suite101, once a very popular site for writers and readers worldwide. Tudor England Suite101 not only gave me the opportunity to write about my Tudor passion, but also to launch a Tudor Ghost Story Competition as an annual Christmas treat for my readers. This contest still holds a very special place in my heart (I love finding ways of helping other writers get … [Read More...]

The Musical Lives of Henry VIII’s Wives – Katherine Howard

Katherine Howard- “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” By Brooke C. Little   The sixteenth-century portrait Mary Magdalene Playing A Lute shows a finely dressed Renaissance woman playing the lute and reading the musical notation portrayed with her in the painting. The song, in French, is Jouissance Vous Donneray and was composed by Claudin de Sermisy (1490-1562). The basse danse, Jouissance Vous Donneray, was a popular dance at many of the Burgundian courts of northern Europe, and in England as … [Read More...]

A Review of La Reine Blanche by Sarah Bryson

La Reine Blanche   Mary Tudor A Life in Letters by Sarah Bryson In La Reine Blanche the life of Mary Tudor, Sarah Bryson chronicles the life of the youngest surviving daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. The life of Mary Tudor is often overlooked in favour of her infamous brother, Henry Tudor.  Destined, as a female member of the royal family, to be utilised in the international marriage market to form diplomatic alliances, Sarah Bryson shows the reader, through Mary Tudor’s own … [Read More...]

The Lazy Historian’s Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII

I'm delighted to share with you my Q & A with Jillianne Hamilton. Jillianne is the author of The Lazy Historian’s Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII (nonfiction) and the Molly Miranda action/comedy trilogy. She lives in Charlottetown on Canada’s beautiful east coast and runs the popular blog, The Lazy Historian. Thanks to Jillianne's generosity, I have a paperback edition and 3 ebooks to give away! To go into the draw, simply read the Conditions of Entry below and leave a comment after this … [Read More...]

Tudor Trilogy Blog Tour

I am delighted to be taking part in Tony Riches' The Tudor Trilogy Blog Tour! Tony has written a fascinating guest article about researching the early Tudors, which I'm sure you're going to enjoy. To go into the running to win an eBook and a signed paperback copy of each of Tony's books, click here. Happy reading and good luck! Researching the early Tudors – Tony Riches The original idea for writing the Tudor Trilogy came to me when I began looking into the life of Owen Tudor, the Welsh … [Read More...]

The Sons of Charles Brandon

Guest post by Sarah Bryson Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk had four sons, two with his third wife Mary Tudor and two with his fourth wife Katherine Willoughby. He also had four daughters. Tragically two of his sons died before himself and the youngest two would only outlive their father by six years. It would be Brandon’s daughters and not his sons that would carry on his legacy. This is the tragic story of Charles Brandon’s four sons. Charles Brandon’s first child with Mary, a son, was … [Read More...]

The Musical Lives of Henry’s Six Wives – Anne of Cleves

ANNE OF CLEVES-MUSICAL INGENUE; TRUMPETING QUEENSHIP By Brooke C. Little Anne of Cleves, like Katherine of Aragon, was a princess of a foreign royal court. Very little has been written about Anne’s early life and education. Like Jane, Anne was raised in an extremely religious household that later influenced her character and behavior at the English court. She was raised in the Julier-Cleves court in Düsseldorf, the daughter of John III, called the Simple (1490-1539), and Maria (1491-1543), … [Read More...]