Recent Posts
The Life and Times of William Paulet by Margaret Scard
I am delighted to welcome Margaret Scard, author of Tudor Survivor: The Life and Times of William Paulet, back to On the Tudor Trail. Margaret has written a guest post for us about William Paulet- a fascinating figure. He served four Tudor monarchs – Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth - and lived to tell the tale. Thank you Margaret! Tudor Survivor by Margaret Scard For many historians William Paulet is a shadowy figure in the background of the Tudor court. Writers often give him … [Read More...]
Guest Post by Historian Suzannah Lipscomb
I am frequently asked two questions: why am I a Tudor historian? And why do I think people remain fascinated by this period? The answer is the same: the Tudor era has all the best stories. Consider: the remarkable sixteenth century contains our tabloid king – the much married Henry VIII - and our virgin queen – the unmarried Elizabeth I – and huge religious change – the overthrow, restoration and eventual displacing of the Roman Catholic church in England; centuries-old monasteries dissolved; … [Read More...]
Sir James Boleyn
Background - the Boleyns Today the Boleyns are usually associated with Hever Castle in Kent but they were in fact a Norfolk family firmly established at Blickling. They traced their origins to Geoffrey Boleyn of Salle and Alice, daughter of Sir John Bracton (Griffiths, pg. 454). The couple had several children, including Geoffrey Boleyn who was born c. 1405 in Blickling. According to David Loades, he was ‘the founder of the family fortune’ (pg. 9). Geoffrey married as his second … [Read More...]
The Last Boleyn – Part 1
I had only just started reading David Loades’ book about the Boleyn family when I had one of those moments... Immediately recognisable, my curiosity was piqued, excitement grew in the pit of my stomach and all because I'd just read something, a tiny morsel of information, that beckoned me to investigate further and embark on another Tudor journey. In this case it was Loades’ assertion that when Sir James Boleyn died in 1561, ‘with him the direct male line of the Boleyns became extinct' … [Read More...]
Kendal Parish Church
Kendal Parish Church in Cumbria dates from the early thirteenth century although there is evidence to suggest that it occupies the site of a much earlier Church. It is Cumbria’s largest parish church, and one of the largest in England boasting five aisles, two each side of the nave, a western tower, and a peel of ten bells. The Church is home to the Parr Chapel built by the Parr family of Kendal Castle in the fourteenth century. A chantry priest was engaged to offer daily prayers … [Read More...]
The Time Traveller’s Guide to Elizabethan England
The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer sounds wonderful! Another book to add to my ever growing collection. Available from Amazon UK and Book Depository now. Will be published in the US on April 9, 2012. Synopsis We think of Queen Elizabeth I as 'Gloriana': the most powerful English woman in history. We think of her reign (1558-1603) as a golden age of maritime heroes, like Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Francis Drake, and of great writers, … [Read More...]
Calling Anne Boleyn Fans Based in London!
I am posting this message on behalf of Charli Burden, a broadcast journalist based in London who is making a television documentary about Anne Boleyn's status as a modern day heroine. Charli is looking for people to interview so please read on. Calling all Anne Boleyn fans! I'm Charli and I'm a broadcast journalist based in London, England. I'm making a television documentary about Anne's status as a modern day heroine and I'm looking for Anne Boleyn fans to interview. If Anne is your … [Read More...]
A Visitor’s Companion to Tudor England
Today marks the release of Suzannah Lipscomb's new book, A Visitor's Companion to Tudor England. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy - hurry postman! A little something to whet your appetite... For the armchair traveller or those looking for inspiration for a day out, The Visitor's Companion to Tudor England takes you to palaces, castles, theatres and abbeys to uncover the stories behind Tudor England. Susannah Lipscomb visits over fifty Tudor places, from the famous palace at … [Read More...]
Interview with Historian Margaret Scard
I am delighted to welcome Historian Margaret Scard to On the Tudor Trail. Margaret is the author of Tudor Survivor: The Life and Times of William Paulet. Paulet, a privy councillor during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, managed to keep his head and live to the age of 87! Clearly a fascinating subject. I recently interviewed Margaret about her book and the work that she does with Past Pleasures, a company which specialises in historical interpretation at … [Read More...]
New Interview and Giveaway!
Today I bring you an interview with Claire Ridgway, author of The Anne Boleyn Collection and creator of The Anne Boleyn Files. Claire's debut non-fiction book is a collection of the most popular articles from The Anne Boleyn Files, articles that have provoked discussion and debate, including: Should Anne Boleyn be pardoned and reburied as Queen? Did Anne Boleyn dig her own grave? Did Anne Boleyn commit incest with her brother? To celebrate the release of Claire's book we are … [Read More...]
Interview with JoAnn Spears
I have just posted my interview with JoAnn Spears, author of Six of One. JoAnn's book is different to the majority of novels published about Henry and his wives and I think sounds like an entertaining and funny read. Find out more in our interview here! … [Read More...]
Latest Comments