Recent Posts

Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts – Proof Copy!

Hello all! I hope you're having a great start to the weekend. I wanted to share this wonderful photo with you... Look what the lovely Kathryn Holeman is holding... a proof copy of our new Tudor colouring book! The lady standing beside her is Lizzy, the account manager at Perfect Printing Moorestown, NJ, who's helping us make our dream a reality. We're hoping to have some advance/review copies ready by the middle of April, a fortnight or so before the official release day of 1 May. I can't … [Read More...]

Pustules, Pestilence and Pain by Seamus O’Caellaigh

I am delighted to be hosting the first stop on Seamus O'Caellaigh's book tour for his latest book, Pustules, Pestilence and Pain: Tudor Treatments and Ailments of Henry VIII. To mark the occasion, Seamus has written a fascinating guest post for us. Happy reading about Henry VIII's ulcers! Synopsis Henry VIII lived for 55 years and had many health issues, particularly towards the end of his reign. In Pustules, Pestilence, and Pain, historian Seamus O'Caellaigh has delved deep into the … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn’s Portrait – A Behind the Scenes Look

Illustrator Kathryn Holeman shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she created Anne Boleyn's portrait for Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts.  … [Read More...]

Pre-order Specials for Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts

Thinking of pre-ordering our new Tudor colouring book? Well, we've added some super Tudor treats for all pre-sale purchases of Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts. If you’ve already ordered (thank you!) these deals are yours already! Books and treats ship together, worldwide from the US. Order your copy from www.colouringtudorhistory.com. … [Read More...]

A Review of ‘Four Queens and a Countess’ by Jill Armitage

For all that we view the sixteenth century as a time of strict patriarchy and female subjugation, Tudor England saw some of the most dynamic, resilient and powerful women in history rise to prominence. In Jill Armitage’s ‘Four Queens and a Countess’, she explores the intertwined lives of Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Mary I, Lady Jane Grey, and the woman who knew them all: Bess of Hardwick. None of these queens were intended to rule, or desired as monarchs, at birth, and Bess’s origins … [Read More...]

Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts

I have some exciting book news! I am thrilled to share that part two of our Colouring History series, 'Colouring History: Tudor Queens and Consorts', is now available for pre-order! Book Blurb Delve into the dazzling—and dangerous—world of Tudor queens and consorts with this lavishly illustrated colouring book for grown-ups. Featuring an array of beautiful illustrations inspired by contemporary paintings and manuscripts, it’s sure to delight even the most discerning Tudor-history buff and … [Read More...]

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

ANNE BOLEYN: MUSICAL LEGEND AND THE MS 1070 By Brooke C. Little It seems that the large body of information concerning Anne Boleyn’s musical life has been a combination of rumor and urban myth, what is for certain is that the idea of musical involvement and Anne are nearly synonymously associated. Although few primary accounts survive of her music making, she was also the queen whose musical attributes are most mentioned, both contemporaneously and posthumously.  For the past five centuries, … [Read More...]

Witchcraft & the 15th-century Royals

I am delighted to be hosting Day 4 of Toni Mount's book tour for her latest novel, The Colour of Murder. To mark the occasion, Toni has written a fascinating guest post titled, 'Witchcraft & the 15th century Royals'. Happy reading! The Colour of Murder 540 years ago, on the 18th February 1478 the Duke of Clarence was, famously, drowned in a butt of malmsey wine. Did he jump or was he pushed? The question has never been answered, so this was an opportunity for my intrepid … [Read More...]

Guest Post and Giveaway: Mary – Tudor Princess, by Tony Riches

It gives me great pleasure to welcome historical fiction author Tony Riches to On the Tudor Trail. Tony's latest novel, Mary - Tudor Princess, tells the story of Henry VII's daughter, Mary, and is set during the reign of her brother, Henry VIII. To go into the draw to win an e-book edition of Tony's novel, please leave a comment after this post. Good luck! Conditions of Entry For your chance to win an e-book edition of Mary - Tudor Princess, you must be subscribed to On the … [Read More...]

The Musical Lives of Henry’s Six Wives – Katherine of Aragon

I am absolutely thrilled to share with you the first of a seven part series of  guest posts about the musical lives of Henry VIII and his queen consorts by Brooke C. Little. Each new instalment will be published around the 5th of each month and conclude with Henry VIII in August. A very big thank you to Brooke for taking time out from her doctoral studies to write these fascinating posts. THE MUSICAL LIVES OF HENRY’S SIX WIVES  Part 1 CATALINA DE ARAGONIA- MUSICA, LA GRANADA Y CANCIONES DE … [Read More...]

A Review of ‘Heroines of the Medieval World’ by Sharon Bennett Connolly

'These are the stories of women, famous, infamous and unknown, who shaped the course of medieval history.  The lives and actions of medieval women were restricted by the men who ruled the homes, countries and world they lived in.  It was men who fought wars, made laws and dictated religious doctrine.  It was men who were taught to read, trained to rule and expected to fight.  Today, it is easy to think that all women from this era were downtrodden, retiring and obedient housewives, whose sole … [Read More...]

Lost to History: Anne Boleyn’s Life, 1521-1527

Lost to History: Anne Boleyn's Life, 1521-1527 By Conor Byrne Anne Boleyn is undoubtedly the most famous of Henry VIII’s six wives, and our contemporary obsession with her means that many of us believe that we know a great deal about her. However, the plethora of Boleyn-related films, television shows and novels should not mislead us. Much of Anne’s life remains unknown and is subject to a range of conflicting interpretations: her age, her physical appearance, her religious beliefs, the reason … [Read More...]