On the Tudor Trail

Queen Anne Boleyn’s Friendship with Margery Horsman

A ‘great friendship’ between Queen Anne Boleyn and Margery Horsman by Sylvia Barbara Soberton In my newest book, Great Ladies: The Forgotten Witnesses to the Lives of Tudor Queens, I’m focusing on the forgotten ladies-in-waiting who led interesting lives but who are often only footnotes in history. I’ve always been interested in Anne Boleyn and her women, and I was particularly keen on researching her relationships with them. One of the women with whom Anne was especially close was … [Read More...]

Catherine Howard’s arrival in York: following the Queen in the silver dress

I am thrilled to welcome British historian and writer Gareth Russell to On the Tudor Trail. Gareth, author of Young and Damned and Fair: The Life of Catherine Howard, Fifth Wife of King Henry VIII, joins us today with a guest post about Queen Catherine Howard's visit to York in 1541. Be sure to leave a comment after Gareth's guest post to go into the draw to win a copy of his wonderful biography! Conditions of Entry For your chance to win a copy of Young and Damned and Fair, … [Read More...]

In the Footsteps of Jane Boleyn: Hampton Court Palace

I am delighted to be hosting the third day of Adrienne Dillard's book tour for her novel, The Raven's Widow: A novel of Jane Boleyn. To mark the occasion, Adrienne has written a wonderful guest post about her recent visit to Hampton Court Palace. I’m also excited to announce that thanks to the generosity of MadeGlobal Publishing, I have a copy of Adrienne's book to give away! (See conditions of entry below). Book Description The river was as calm as I had ever seen it. Ordinarily, the tide … [Read More...]

20 Questions with Elizabeth Fremantle & Giveaway!

I am delighted to share with you my interview with Elizabeth Fremantle, author of four captivating novels set in Tudor England. Elizabeth very kindly answered my 20 questions, and the lovely folk at Penguin Random House UK have very generously given me 5 copies of Elizabeth's latest novel, The Girl in the Glass Tower, to give away! To go into the draw, simply leave a comment after this post. Good luck! Book Description Elizabeth Fremantle's The Girl in the Glass Tower is a stunning … [Read More...]

The Turbulent Crown: The Story of the Tudor Queens – Book Tour and Giveaway

I am delighted to be hosting day five of Roland Hui's book tour for his latest book, The Turbulent Crown: The Story of the Tudor Queens. To celebrate the release, Roland has written an informative guest post that dispels some of the myths about Anne Boleyn's incarceration at the Tower of London. I’m also excited to announce that thanks to the generosity of MadeGlobal Publishing, I have a copy of Roland's book to give away! (See conditions of entry below). Book Description Ten remarkable … [Read More...]

Joan of Navarre: Duchess of Brittany, Lancastrian Queen

I am delighted to be hosting the final day of Conor Byrne's book tour for his latest non-fiction book, Queenship in England: Gender and Power in the Late Middle Ages. To mark the occasion, Conor has written a fascinating guest post about Joan of Navarre: Duchess of Brittany. I’m also excited to announce that thanks to the generosity of MadeGlobal Publishing, I have a copy of Conor's book to give away! (See conditions of entry below). Book Description Between 1308 and 1485, nine women … [Read More...]

What do wills tell us about 16th Century Tudor Women?

I am delighted to welcome Mary Lawrence to On the Tudor Trail. Mary is the author of The Bianca Goddard Mystery books, which are set in London during the 1540s in the final years of Henry VIII's reign. To celebrate the release of the third book in the series, Death at St. Vedast, Mary has written an enlightening article about what wills tell us about sixteenth century Tudor women. I also have a copy of Mary's latest book to give away! See 'Conditions of Entry' below. Conditions of … [Read More...]

All About History with Amy Licence

I am delighted to be taking part in Amy Licence's book tour for her wonderful series of children's books about the Tudors. To mark the release of the third book in the series, Henry VIII, I have an author interview to share with you, and a copy of Amy's book to give away! MadeGlobal’s “All About” series is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to know more about the key characters of history. The books are colourfully illustrated throughout, have a simple narrative to explain the key points … [Read More...]

A Review of ‘Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey’

In July 1553, at the age of 16 or 17, Lady Jane Grey, Henry VIII’s great-niece, became Queen of England, albeit briefly. Jane was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey, 3rd Marquess of Dorset and Lady Frances Brandon, from whom Jane inherited her royal blood. Frances, Jane’s mother, was the eldest daughter of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s younger sister and one-time Queen of France, and her second husband, Charles Brandon. While Henry VIII overlooked his niece in his will, and excluded the line of his … [Read More...]

A Traveller in Time

One of my most treasured possessions is my autographed copy of Alison Uttley’s A Traveller in Time, one of my all-time favourite Tudor novels. It was a gift from my very thoughtful husband for our 13th wedding anniversary. A Traveller in Time is the story of a young girl by the name of Penelope Taberner, who is sent to stay with her great aunt and uncle at Thackers, their farmhouse in Derbyshire, where she uncovers an astonishing secret. The ancient farmhouse is a portal between the … [Read More...]

Falling Pomegranate Seeds

I am delighted to be taking part in Wendy J. Dunn's book tour for her latest novel, Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Duty of Daughters, Book 1 in the Katherine of Aragon Story. Wendy has written a fascinating guest post about childbirth in Tudor times. I’m also excited to announce that thanks to the generosity of MadeGlobal Publishing, I have a paperback copy of Wendy's book to give away! (See conditions of entry below). Book Description: Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Duty of … [Read More...]

Catherine of Aragon – An Intimate Life of Henry VIII’s True Wife by Amy Licence

I am delighted to be hosting Day 1 of Amy Licence's blog tour for her latest book, Catherine of Aragon - An Intimate Life of Henry VIII's True Wife. To celebrate this wonderful book's release, I have an extract from the book to share with you about Henry VIII meeting and falling in love with Anne Boleyn. Happy reading! Had circumstances been different, the dark-eyed fascinating Anne Boleyn might have simply become another one of Henry’s mistresses, like her sister Mary had been. She … [Read More...]