Recent Posts

Breastfeeding in Tudor England

Wealthy Tudor women did not breastfeed their own children because their duty was to produce as many heirs as possible and breastfeeding might delay their next pregnancy. In the homes of royalty or nobility, the wet-nurse came to live with the child but in other cases, the child was sent to live with the wet-nurse (Sim, pg. 75). Alison Sim claims that in these circumstances, where the child lived away from home until it was weaned, there was a danger that the child would not be properly … [Read More...]

Interview with Joanna Ferris from Past Pleasures

I recently interviewed Joanna Ferris, live costumed interpreter working with Past Pleasures, for our Tudor Talk column. Joanna regularly interprets Anne Boleyn and other historical figures and was kind enough to share a little about her background and the work she does at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. I really enjoyed reading Jo's responses and look forward to seeing her in action one day! Read our full interview here. … [Read More...]

The Tudor Royal Interior

Over the next few weeks, I will be publishing a series of posts focusing on the interior of Tudor palaces. I am indebted to Simon Thurley for the plethora of information, diagrams, floor plans and illustrations provided in ‘The Royal Palaces of Tudor England’ – one of my most treasured resources. I thought I would begin the series with a look at floors, might not seem like an important detail but if we want to visualise the magnificent interiors of the Tudor palaces, then we cannot ignore … [Read More...]

Interview with H. M Castor

I have just published my interview with H.M Castor, author of VIII. I recently read VIII and found myself hooked from the first line. It is a fresh and original take on the well worn story of Henry VIII. The fact that it is aimed at young adults should not dissuade you from reading it - I certainly loved every moment of it! Read my review here. In our interview H. M Castor talks about what ignited her love of Tudor history, she shares with us the inspiration behind VIII and even reveals … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey

This is the fourth of a series of letters that I will be publishing written by Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey between 1528-1529. Read all the letters here. Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey c. 1529 My Lord, After my most humble recommendations, this shall be to give unto your grace, as I am most bound, my humble thanks for the pain and travail that your grace doth take in studying, by your wisdom and great diligence, how to bring pass honourably the greatest wealth that is possible to come … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn’s Arrival at the Tower of London

On the 2nd May 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested and transported from Greenwich to the Tower of London in full daylight. It is often stated that Anne entered the Tower via ‘Traitor’s Gate’, the gate below St. Thomas’s Tower, but this is unlikely. In Charles Wriothesley's, A Chronicle of England during the Reigns of the Tudors, from A.D. 1485 to 1559 Vol. 1, he states that “Anne Bolleine was brought to the Towre of London by my Lord Chauncelor, the Duke of Norfolke, Mr. … [Read More...]

Penned by Anne Boleyn

This is the third of a series of letters that I will be publishing written by Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey between 1528-1529. Elizbeth Norton notes that in the past it was stated that this letter was addressed to Archbishop Cranmer and not Cardinal Wolsey although Norton believes this to be unlikely. Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey My Lord in my most humble wise I thanke your grace fot the gyft thys Benefice for Master Barlo howbeit this standithe to non Effecte for it is mayd for … [Read More...]

Finding Anne Boleyn

Today's post is a guest article by H.M. Castor, author of VIII. Read my review of her debut novel for teens here. Finding Anne Three years ago I had an emotional encounter with a Tudor object. On a visit to Compton Verney in Warwickshire, I saw an exhibition of some of the treasures – paintings and artefacts – that are usually hidden away at Chequers, the country house of the Prime Minister. In one of the exhibition’s rooms stood a glass case, and inside it lay a ring. A ring I had … [Read More...]

A review of VIII by H.M Castor

With so much Tudor fiction written for adults, I don’t often read novels aimed at young adults but when I read about H.M Castor’s debut novel for teens, VIII, I was immediately intrigued. Why not Henry VIII? Why just VIII? The title caught my attention but the opening line captured my imagination – I was hooked after 11 words. The name Henry VIII immediately conjures up images of an overweight, beady- eyed tyrant who had two of his six wives executed but the Hal we meet in the opening … [Read More...]

Whitehall and Anne Boleyn

Today's post is a guest article written by Annis Castellina, a qualified teacher, writer and researcher. Annis designs and leads historical walking tours aimed at rediscovering 'lost palaces', including a tour of the royal palace of Whitehall. Annis brings Whitehall Palace to life through the use of old illustrations, maps and paintings. She guides you to important sites and identifies its remains. This sounds like a wonderful tour and one that I hope to go on during my next visit to … [Read More...]

Tudor Ghost Story Contest!

I am delighted to share that Wendy J. Dunn, a dear friend and author of Dear Heart, How Like You This? has asked me to revive a very popular annual Tudor ghost story contest that was originally hosted via her website. I am thrilled to accept Wendy’s invitation and invite readers to submit an unpublished Tudor ghost story of between 1,500-3,000 words. The story must of course be your own work and emailed to natalie@onthetudortrail.com by December 9, 2011. The lucky winner will receive a … [Read More...]

In Anne Boleyn’s Own Words

This is the second of a series of letters that I will be publishing written by Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey between 1528-1529. If you missed the first letter in the series, read it here. Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey, c. July 1528 My Lord, In my most humble wise, that my poor heart can think, I do thank your grace for your kind letter and for your rich and goodly present, the which I shall never be able to deserve, without your help, of which I have hitherto had so great plenty, that … [Read More...]