Recent Posts

She is my death and I am hers – Anne Boleyn & Mary Tudor

I’m delighted to be hosting Day 5 of Melita Thomas' blog tour for her debut book, The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his daughter Mary. Melita has written a fascinating guest article about Anne Boleyn's relationship with her step-daughter, Mary. You can read a review of Melita's new book here. Enjoy! She is my death and I am hers. One of the most bitter relationships in English history must be that between Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon, and the woman who was, in … [Read More...]

US Publication Day!

I'm very excited to share that it's US publication day for 'Colouring History: The Tudors'! It's available from Barnes and Noble bookstores and online here. I hope you love it, America! It will also be stocked in a number of independent bookstores, so watch this space for more information. I can't wait to see pics of it on shelves. Every author's dream. Natalie x PS. Colouring History is also available online at Walmart and Target. If you've bought a copy and love it, please consider … [Read More...]

The Wars of the Roses in 100 Facts by Matthew Lewis

The ‘Wars of the Roses’ were a series of battles fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York to control the throne of England. Author Matthew Lewis takes us on a journey through this tumultuous period of history via 100 ‘bite-size’ facts, including a number of interesting ones about the ‘run-up’ to the Wars of the Roses. There are tales of bloody battles, bravery, allegiance (including switching sides!), deceit and murder. We learn more about the significant battles, … [Read More...]

The King’s Pearl by Melita Thomas

England’s first crowned queen has been in the shadow of England’s second crowned queen for centuries. Just as Elizabeth supplanted Mary as heir to the throne in life, so she has supplanted her in posterity, with Gloriana, the Virgin Queen, heroine who defied the Armada attracting far more praise and admiration than the cruel caricature of Bloody Mary. In her preface to ‘The King’s Pearl’, Melita Thomas sets out her aim to interrogate the stereotype of Mary Tudor as “an unskilled political … [Read More...]

How to be a Tudor by Ruth Goodman

As a TV presenter Ruth Goodman shows such enthusiasm for her subject that you cannot help but be drawn into it - it is quite infectious! This also translates into her books, and you are gripped from the first chapter. Ruth is an expert on social history with an emphasis on 'ordinary' people which is why her books are so interesting. This book is as per its title 'A Dawn-to-Dusk Guide to Everyday Life' from early rising to bedtime - it describes the different elements/tasks of daily life … [Read More...]

The Queen’s Mary by Sarah Gristwood

Book Blurb  Mary Seton is lady-in-waiting to the legendary Mary Queen of Scots. Torn between her own desires and her duty to serve her mistress, she is ultimately drawn into her Queen's web of passion and royal treachery - and must play her part in the game of thrones between Mary and Elizabeth I. Must she choose between survival, and sharing the same fate as the woman she has served, loyally and lovingly, since a child? The Queen's Mary is an engaging and insightful novel, which … [Read More...]

‘Bosworth – Psychology of a Battle’ by Michael Jones

Everyone knows about Richard III: the scheming, duplicitous, evil crookback who murdered his nephews to steal the throne. Or do they? Shakespeare’s notorious villain has been so ingrained in our minds for centuries that the “winter of our discontent” and the horse worth more than a kingdom are practically viewed as historical facts. Perhaps inevitably, it’s become something of a fashion among historians and novelists to attempt a rehabilitation of Richard, from Josephine Tey and Sharon Penman … [Read More...]

Thomas Cromwell – The untold story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant by Tracy Borman

Thomas Cromwell is known to millions through Hilary Mantel’s best-selling Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies.   But who was the real Thomas Cromwell? Born a lowly tavern keeper’s son, Cromwell rose swiftly through the ranks to become Henry VIII’s right hand man.  A ruthless politician, he was also a loving husband, father and guardian, and a loyal and devoted servant.  With fresh research and new insights, Tracy Borman tells the story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant. As a fan of … [Read More...]

On the Tudor Trail’s Pop-up Facebook Giveaways

Conditions of Entry For your chance to win the prize advertised on Facebook, you must like On the Tudor Trail’s Facebook page and the giveaway post. Then simply leave a comment after the post to be entered. Giveaways are open internationally, unless otherwise stated. A winner will be randomly selected shortly after the competition closes, and a comment will be posted to the giveaway thread announcing the winner, whose responsibility it is to message the page with their postal details … [Read More...]

Joan Beaufort – Mother of the Fifteenth Century by Nathen Amin

I'm delighted to be hosting Day 2 of Nathen Amin's blog tour for his latest book, House of Beaufort: The Bastard Line that Captured the Crown. Nathen has written a fascinating guest article about Joan Beaufort, daughter of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. Joan Beaufort – Mother of the Fifteenth Century By Nathen Amin At a distance of between 500 and 600 years, it is difficult sometimes to view proceedings in the fifteenth century as anything other than a group of … [Read More...]

The Princes in the Tower by Matthew Lewis

I am excited to share with you a guest post by Matthew Lewis, author of the upcoming book, 'The Survival of the Princes in the Tower: Murder, Mystery and Myth'. The disappearance and alleged murder of Edward IV's sons, Edward and Richard, remains one of the greatest mysteries in British history. In this article, Matthew explores the question, "Who, if anyone, killed the Princes in the Tower?". The Princes in the Tower By Matthew Lewis One of the primary reasons that I wanted to write a book … [Read More...]

Attention Book Lovers!

Are you an avid reader with a passion for writing and Tudor history? I’m looking for a book reviewer for my website, On the Tudor Trail. Ideally, this person will be a UK resident and able to commit to reading and reviewing one book every 4-6 weeks. In exchange for your time and energy, you’ll receive free books! To register your interest, please get in touch with me via the contact form on my website. I look forward to hearing from you! Natalie … [Read More...]