Recent Posts

Dark Sovereign by Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp’s Dark Sovereign is described as a ‘modern play written in the English language as it was available to William Shakespeare’ making it the only ‘text in almost four centuries to be crafted to the nearest idiom and syllable in the language of the "Golden Age", the apex of the High Renaissance in English literature’. I thank Robert for sharing the following media release with me: Playwright slams Shakespeare, boosts Richard III For the first time in four centuries a modern … [Read More...]

Win a copy of ‘To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn’ & more!

Today I am very happy to post the details of a wonderful competition, made possible thanks to the generosity of a great author, Sandra Byrd. The lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of Sandra Byrd's To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, the story of Anne Boleyn told through the eyes of her friend and confidante, Meg Wyatt AND a 1956 edition of Life Magazine with Anne Boleyn on the front cover! Sandra's novel is truly a breath of fresh air and offers an original take on a well-worn … [Read More...]

In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn

I am delighted to share that Sarah Morris and I are embarking on a new and exciting journey together as co-authors of In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn. Like an exercise in time travel, this journey will take us through stately homes, castles, chapels, parks and buildings- hidden treasures- that still stand today with a connection to Anne Boleyn. Peeling back the layers of time, we will dispel the myths to uncover the Tudor fabric lying dormant and document the untold stories and artefacts … [Read More...]

New Tudor Books!

It has been a little while since I have updated you on recent and upcoming Tudor book releases so here are some titles to keep you busy over the next little while... The Favoured Queen: A Novel of Henry VIII's Third Wife by Carolly Erickson is due out on the 27th September, 2011. The Synopsis reads: From The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII comes a powerful and moving novel about Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, who married him only days after … [Read More...]

Is ‘The Ambassadors’ by Holbein linked to Anne Boleyn?

I have long been fascinated by Holbein’s double portrait of Jean de Dinteville, French ambassador to the court of Henry VIII and George de Selve, bishop of Latour (some sources state ‘Lavaur’) but I was unaware that this very famous portrait might in fact be linked to Anne Boleyn. Eric Ives believes that there are several reasons to suggest such a connection, with the first being the date. Continue reading here. … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn’s Plate & Glass

“The twenty-first century draws a clear distinction between normal living and occasions for spectacle. Royal pomp, ceremony at an installation, or even private display at a wedding is one thing, day-to-day ostentation another. Sixteenth-century Europe believed otherwise. Society was hierarchical and lifestyle exemplified rank and value. The exterior revealed the interior – does not Christ say ‘by their fruits you shall know them? Kings and queens had to live the part and hence magnificence was a … [Read More...]

A visit to Haddon Hall & Hardwick Hall

Today's post is a guest article by On the Tudor Trail reader Debbie Fenton. Debbie recently visited two gems - Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire and was kind enough to share some information about her trip with us. I devour books about the Tudors in the hope of getting to know them better but I have never felt closer to them as when I am walking in their footsteps! Haddon Hall Visiting Haddon Hall is the closest thing you can get to going back in a time machine. It is … [Read More...]

An interview with author Sandra Byrd

I recently posted my review of 'To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn' and today I would like to share with you an interview with the author, Sandra Byrd. In our interview Sandra shares the inspiration behind her book, she talks about why she believes Anne is such a fascinating subject for novelists and even gives us a taste of the next novel in the Ladies in Waiting series, The Secret Keeper. Unfortunately, we have to wait until June 2012 for the next installment of this wonderful Tudor … [Read More...]

A review of ‘To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn’

Sandra Byrd’s ‘To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn’ was the only ‘Tudor comfort’ I allowed myself on a recent family vacation and boy am I glad I took this treasure along! It is the story of Anne Boleyn told through the eyes of her friend and confidante, Meg Wyatt but Meg is much more than just a narrator. She is a complex and engaging character with her own intriguing story to tell and I found myself drawn to her from the first page. Through Meg, the Anne that emerges is a remarkable … [Read More...]

Tudor Photo Tours

I should begin by apologising for my absence over the last couple of weeks. I have only recently returned from a vacation and promised myself that whilst away I would remain with both feet firmly planted in the 21st century. I must say that I did better than anticipated! The only Tudor comfort I allowed myself was Sandra Byrd's fabulous book, To Die For - a review coming soon. Now, to the purpose of this post, one of the reasons why I started On the Tudor Trail was as a place to document … [Read More...]

Where Tudor Spirits Dwell…

I am delighted to be able to share with you an extract from my sister's second book due out in bookstores in 3 days! Where Spirits Dwell unearths the creaking, spine-chilling moments when ghosts appear in suburbia and takes readers inside other haunted dwellings including schools, pubs and even shopping centres. This extract is from a chapter about our travels around England on a holiday that we dubbed our 'Tudor pilgrimage'. Hope you enjoy it! Read the extract here. … [Read More...]

Dressing Anne Boleyn

I recently posted about some gowns that Anne Boleyn purchased for herself and the Princess Elizabeth between January and April 1536. Today I wanted to mention two pairs of detachable sleeves, which have been identified as belonging to Anne as a result of the embroidery depicting honeysuckles and acorns – Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII’s private motif – that adorn the sleeves. Honeysuckle has long been a symbol of love and devotion, while an acorn symbolizes fertility, growth and new life. It … [Read More...]