On the Tudor Trail

A review of ‘The Secret Keeper’ by Sandra Byrd and Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Sandra Byrd's novel, The Secret Keeper, she has kindly donated a pack of Anne Boleyn inspired greeting cards to give-away to one lucky commenter. For your chance to win these beautiful cards you must be subscribed to On the Tudor Trail’s newsletter (if you are not already, sign up on our homepage). Then simply leave a comment after my review between now and June 30, 2012. Don’t forget to leave your name and a contact email. Good luck! Review of The … [Read More...]

How Henry VIII Was Shaped By His Family

Today's post is a guest article about Henry VIII's early life by author Karen Harper. Karen's upcoming novel, Mistress of Mourning, will be released in the US on July 3, 2012 and is available for pre-order via Amazon. Here is a little taste... London, 1501. In a time of political unrest, Varina Westcott, a young widow and candle maker for court and church, agrees to perform a clandestine service for Queen Elizabeth of York, wife of Henry VII--carve wax figures of four dead children, two of … [Read More...]

Tudor Library

Each Tuesday, on my Facebook page, I run a segment called ‘Tudor Bookshelf Tuesday’ where I invite people to share photos of their treasured Tudor books whether they be housed in a formal ‘library’, on a bedside table or just wherever space permits! I regularly share pictures of my own much loved and well-worn collection and on numerous occasions have been asked to list the Tudor books that I own – so here it is! I have organised them into fiction and non-fiction and then in groups including … [Read More...]

Her Highness, the Traitor – Guest Post & Giveaway

I am delighted to welcome Susan Higginbotham to On the Tudor Trail. To mark the release of her novel, 'Her Highness, the Traitor', Susan has written a guest post about Mary I and Frances Grey that I think you will find very interesting. I also have a copy of Susan's novel to giveaway to one lucky commenter! Conditions of Entry For your chance to win a copy of Her Highness, the Traitor you must be subscribed to On the Tudor Trail’s newsletter (if you are not already, sign up on our … [Read More...]

Release of Sandra Byrd’s ‘The Secret Keeper’

I'm back! My apologies for the lack of posts of late but I only recently returned from a ten day research trip to England and arrived home right in the middle of report writing season (I am a Primary School Teacher) and so have been immersed in my day job for the last couple of weeks. Thankfully, I now see the light at the end of the tunnel and I should be back on track with all things Tudor in the next week or so. I have lots of wonderful photos and information to share with you about my trip … [Read More...]

Interview with Mathew Lyons

I have just published my interview with Mathew Lyons, author of The Favourite, 'The true story behind one of the great love affairs in British history: Sir Walter Ralegh and Queen Elizabeth I.' Book Description When the adventurer Walter Ralegh first encountered Elizabeth I he supposedly placed his cloak over a puddle and allowed the queen to walk across it. Thus began one of the most intriguing relationships between a monarch and her favourite. The Favourite explores the labyrinthine … [Read More...]

Historical Fiction and Advocacy

A guest post by Wendy J. Dunn from Swinburne University SPEAKING THE SILENCES: WRITING, ADVOCACY AND ENABLING VOICE –An extract from Wendy’s paper for the refereed proceedings of the 16th annual AAWP conference, Ethical Imaginations: Writing World. The full paper can be found here: Biographical note: Wendy J. Dunn is obsessed with Tudor History. Her first published novel, the award-winning Dear Heart, How Like You This? is described as ‘one of the best novels ever written about … [Read More...]

Spartan Publishing

Lauren Mackay, historical researcher and consultant, has recently launched Spartan Publishing, an independent e-publishing house, which produces high quality historical e-reference books, historical literary e-fiction and alternative history. I know that we have many budding authors in our midst that may be interested in what Spartan Publishing is offering prospective authors. They offer a variety of comprehensive packages and services to assist in all stages of e-publishing, … [Read More...]

Boleyn Family Bible On Display

A rare 15th century bible once owned by Anne Boleyn’s uncle, Sir James Boleyn, will go on public display in Norwich next month. Inscribed on the pages of the bible in beautiful Latin script is, “liber Iacobi Boolene manens in Blickling”, translated as “James Boleyn’s book, dwelling in Blickling”. The Wycliffite bible will be displayed at the Norfolk Heritage Centre in Norwich during May and coincides with the Boleyn Festival Blickling – four days of all things Anne Boleyn! Clare Agate, … [Read More...]

Guest Post and Giveaway!

On this, the 3rd birthday of Robert Parry's wonderful novel Virgin and the Crab, I am delighted to share with you a guest article about the protagonist of Parry's novel - the fascinating John Dee. We are also giving away a copy of Virgin and the Crab to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave a comment after Robert's post. You can read my review of this remarkable book here. Welcome Robert! Thank you Natalie, for helping me celebrate the 3rd Birthday of my novel ‘Virgin and the … [Read More...]

The Art of Manipulating History into Fiction

A guest post by Raven A. Nuckols, author of Had the Queen Lived: An Alternative History of Anne Boleyn. In October 2011, I published my first historical novel entitled “Had the Queen Lived: An Alternative History of Anne Boleyn.” I set out to write my novel with what I thought was an interesting idea for a story that might appeal to fans of Queen Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. I also thought that there could be many such fans because in recent years the popularity … [Read More...]

An Ominous Sign

On 23 April 1536, the annual meeting of the Order of the Garter took place at Greenwich attended by the King and many Lords. It was expected that George Boleyn would be preferred but instead Henry chose Sir Nicholas Carew, ‘Anne’s known enemy and the man who had been mentoring Jane Seymour’ (Weir, pg. 88). The entry from Letters & Papers reads, On St. George's Day, 23 April 28 Hen. VIII., a chapter of the Order of the Garter was held at Greenwich, at which were present the King, the … [Read More...]