On the Tudor Trail

Tudor Ghost Story Contest – The Maid’s Tale

This story was a place getter of the original Tudor Ghost Story Contest (then known as The Tudor England Ghost Story Contest). Permission was then kindly granted to Wendy J. Dunn to publish these stories. If you are the author of this story and rather not have it published here, please just send me an email. I hope this inspires you to get writing, remember that this year's competition closes on 1 October, 2015. The Maid's Tale By Geoffrey James A fire blazes in the Great Hall's central … [Read More...]

John Bloomfield Costume Prints – The Six Wives of Henry VIII

I’m very excited to share with you that I recently acquired five original vintage prints of costumes designed by John Bloomfield for the BBC series, ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’, made in the early 1970s, and starring Australian actor Keith Michell as King Henry VIII. Michell won an Emmy Award for his performance that is still lauded by many as the definitive television portrayal of the Tudor king. According to the BBC, 'The authentic appearance of the court costumes was achieved by the … [Read More...]

The Tudor Ghost Story Contest on again!

Wendy J. Dunn has some exciting news to share with you all... Welcome Wendy! Fifteen years ago I wrote a regular column about the Tudors for an online site; I decided then to set in motion a Tudor Ghost Story Contest as a Christmas treat for my readers. The stories entered for judging were so impressive that I repeated the contest at the end of each year, until the time came for me to move on from my column and concentrate on other writing commitments. I still remember vividly so many … [Read More...]

20 Questions with Jeri Westerson

1. When did you realise that you wanted to become a writer? I’d always written stories ever since I could pick up a crayon, but I didn’t come to the conclusion that I wanted to have a career as a writer until I was about thirty and had already had a graphic design career under my belt. My son was just a toddler and I thought I’d get back into design, but in my two-year hiatus the whole graphics industry had turned to computers and I, alas, had not. So I had to think about what I could do at … [Read More...]

Tudor Talk by Pamela Hartshorne

Today I have for you a fascinating guest post by author Pamela Hartshorne, who has written a series of 'timeslip' novels that move between the 16th century and the present. Her latest book, The Edge of Dark, is set in Elizabethan London and York. Welcome Pamela! TUDOR TALK Pamela Hartshorne Dialogue is one of the trickiest aspects of writing historical fiction. How do you create characters who speak and think in ways a modern reader can understand but who at the same time feel … [Read More...]

Lady Katherine Knollys: The Unacknowledged Daughter of King Henry VIII

I am delighted to share with you a short extract from Lady Katherine Knollys: The Unacknowledged Daughter of King Henry VIII by Sarah-Beth Watkins. The paternity of Mary Boleyn's children, Katherine and Henry Carey, has been the subject of much contentious debate. Some historians believe that Katherine and Henry were the illegitimate children of King Henry VIII, while others affirm that their father was Mary's first husband, William Carey. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter but … [Read More...]

Exploring English Castles by Edd Morris

I am delighted to welcome Dr Edd Morris, author of 'Exploring English Castles' to On the Tudor Trail, and share with you his guest post on a subject that fascinates and intrigues - the British Castle! I love visiting castles in Britain: the more ruinous the better. There’s something special about standing amidst the remains of a once mighty fortress, or a once-decadent banqueting hall, and trying to imagine the plotting and intrigue which once went on. I also love the layers of history … [Read More...]

20 Questions with Sarah Bryson

1. Where did your fascination with the Tudors come from? I remember when I was younger being told about an English Queen who was beheaded and immediately I wanted to know why, what had happened, what had led to her execution? I picked up Eric Ive’s book “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” and from there I was hooked. I found Anne Boleyn’s life fascinating and I had to learn more. The Tudor period is an amazing time in English history; it reminds me a little of a TV drama series except that it … [Read More...]

20 Questions with David Baldwin

1. When did you realise that you wanted to become an historian? I’ve always been interested in History – as a very small child I was fascinated by knights in armour. 2. What sparked your interest in Tudor England? I specialize mainly in the fifteenth century, but think it’s equally important to know what went before and what came after. History doesn’t begin and end on particular dates. 3. Tell us about your latest book, Henry VIII’s Last Love. It’s the story of Katherine … [Read More...]

The Lady in Red: Medieval Menstruation

Today's post is a fascinating article by Karen Harris and Lori Caskey-Sigety, co-authors of 'The Medieval Vagina:An Historical and Hysterical Look at All Things Vaginal During the Middle Ages.' Karen Harris is a college instructor by day and a writer by night. Writing offers Karen a chance to dabble in her other areas of interest, including history and science. She has written numerous freelance articles and feature stories for publication. She is a hobby farmer, environmental volunteer, and … [Read More...]

Fortunes of France: The Brethren – Sample Chapter & Giveaway!

Thanks to the generosity of the lovely folk at Pushkin Press, I have five copies of Fortunes of France: The Brethren by Robert Merle to give away. This is the first volume in a French historical adventure series, set in France during England's Tudor period. The series has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, and this is its first translation into English. Merle has been compared to Alexandre Dumas, and the series to the Flashman books and Game of Thrones. This giveaway is now … [Read More...]

Hello, History Home Decor

A guest post by Kathryn Carissimi, founder of Hello, History Home Decor. Hello, On the Tudor Trail. It’s an honor to be here. Hello, History began with a very special thank you card. A family friend noticed my frequent “likes” and mentions of posts about Anne Boleyn, and decided to pass on a special memento: a small vase in the likeness of the executed Queen, purchased twenty years ago at the Tower of London. I envisioned a thank you card with a similar likeness, but on a bright, vibrant … [Read More...]