On the Tudor Trail

A Tudor Summer Progress – Day 2

Day 2 - Hampton Court Palace & National Portrait Gallery by Mike Glaeser Absolutely fantastic! Hmm, not enough for a report eh? Ok, let’s break it down then. Situated on the banks of the Thames River about a 30 minute train ride from London, Hampton Court is the epitome of wealth, majesty and power. The name is derived from two old Saxon words: “hamm” meaning “bend in a stream” and “ton” meaning “settlement”. Its origins nearly date to that time as well. Before Cardinal … [Read More...]

A Tudor Summer Progress – Day 1

Day One: Windsor Castle by Mike Glaeser The first challenge of this trip occurred even before I could land. My flight was delayed which put my 11:45 round tower tour at risk. I literally made it with two minutes to spare so let’s start from that point! The Round Tower is the central keep of Windsor. It has been on the site in one form or another since the 1100?s when it was made of wood. William the Conqueror is responsible for starting construction on the tower and the castle itself. … [Read More...]

A 16th Century Treasure

On the Tudor Trail reader, Jessica, recently contacted me to share some information about a book her grandfather has in his rare and antique book collection. The book was purchased in London in the early 1990s from an antique book dealer. It is a collection of ten poems by the Roman poet Lucan, entitled De Bello Civili ('On the Civil War'), about the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Printed in Lyon, France in 1547 by Sebastian Gryphius (a German bookseller-printer and humanist), it was … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn’s Nightgown

I was doing some reading into Tudor fashion and came across some interesting information about a nightgown that Henry VIII, in 1532, ordered from John Malte as a gift for the Lady Anne Boleyn. Nightgowns in Tudor time were the equivalent of a modern day dressing gown. In 1530, George Cavendish hurried to court to share the news of Cardinal Wolsey’s death. In his own words: ‘The next day I was sent for to the King, conducted by Mr. Norris, where the King was in a nightgown of rochet … [Read More...]

An interview with Nell Gavin

I have just published my interview with Nell Gavin, author of Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn. Threads was Nell Gavin's first novel published in 2001 and a William Faulkner Competition finalist for best novel. Here is the synopsis: It's 1970. Anne and Henry still have issues they need to address. It's been 434 years since they parted - on bad terms - and they haven't spoken since. Henry now has problems with alcohol, drugs and irresponsibility, and Anne is still holding onto a … [Read More...]

Haunted Hampton Court

One of my readers recently wrote in to share with me a strange experience he had whilst visiting Hampton Court Palace as a child. Like many other 'strange' experiences that take place at Hampton Court, this one occurred in the 'Haunted Gallery' where the ghost of Katherine Howard is said to make a final plea for mercy. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, I think it is fascinating that so many people report unusual phenomena in this area of the palace. This is Joseph's … [Read More...]

A Tudor Summer Progress

I hope you can all free up your calendars because we’re going on a Tudor Summer Progress! Well, maybe not physically but one of On the Tudor Trail’s readers is and has very generously offered to let us join him – in a cyber sense that is… Mike Glaeser is about to set off on an eight-day tour of England where he will visit many important Tudor sites. We will live vicariously through him, as he has kindly offered to update us from each location and provide us with pictures of his journey … [Read More...]

I have but such a little neck…

I wanted to share with you this very moving poem written by Lynne Edwina Pearce. A lovely addition to our 'Remembering Anne Boleyn' section. If you have written a poem or fictional piece about Anne that you would like to share, please contact me. Thank you Lynne! I have but such a little neck, My hands they do entwine Will tears fall and wails be heard, From others in my line I've had my use, I failed the test, Now cast aside am I, Abandoned in these prison walls, And left alone … [Read More...]

Henry VIII and the ‘Great Matter’

I am very happy to share with you that I have selected Lynn Oliver's article about Henry VIII and the 'Great Matter' as the runner up in our 'Write Anne Boleyn' competition. I hope you will join me in congratulating Lynn on a very detailed and well researched article. Henry VIII and the 'Great Matter' by Lynn Oliver Henry VIII is most well known for his six wives and his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church that generated the Reformation. Henry … [Read More...]

Winner of our write Anne Boleyn Competition!

I am delighted to share with you the winning entry of our 'Write Anne Boleyn' competition! Jessica Pringle has written a very moving fictional account of Anne's last moments on the scaffold. I greatly admire the courage Anne displayed and I have often wondered about what Anne's thoughts were in these final moments. I ask you to join me in congratulating Jess and I hope you enjoy her work as much as I did. O death, rock me asleep... by Jessica Pringle ‘Good Christian people, I am … [Read More...]

A Visitor’s Companion to Tudor England

In March 2012, Suzannah Lipscomb's book, 'A Visitor's Companion to Tudor England' will be published and I must say I cannot wait to own a copy! As you are all aware, I am fascinated by the idea of walking in the footsteps of the Tudors and in this book Suzannah visits over 50 Tudor places uncovering the stories behind this famous period of history. Product Description: For the armchair traveller or those looking for inspiration for a day out, The Visitor’s Companion to Tudor England … [Read More...]

Thomas Boleyn’s Brass at Penshurst Church

After my initial post about ‘The Other Boleyn Boy’, that you can read here, one of my very generous readers, Gilly, offered to travel to Saint John the Baptist Penshurst to take some photos of the brass and try to uncover some more information about the other Boleyn boy - Thomas Boleyn (a sibling of Mary, Anne and George’s). Unfortunately, the church was deserted and Gilly was unable to find any church employees to question but did take some wonderful photos of the church and brass. [cincopa … [Read More...]