Recent Posts
Lives of Aristocratic Women in early Tudor England
I thought some of you might be interested in reading this dissertation by Jennifer Ann Rowley-Williams, Image and Reality: the Lives of Aristocratic Women in Early Tudor England. It consists of, among other things, case studies of the lives of five aristocratic women. These are Honor Lady Lisle, Mary Countess of Northumberland (wife of the sixth Earl), Jane Lady Rochford, Susan Clarencius (chief lady in waiting to Mary Tudor) and Sabine Johnson (wife of a prosperous merchant). The theses … [Read More...]
Ightham Mote
Ightham Mote is a wonderful medieval moated manor house in Kent owned by the National Trust and described by David Starkey as ‘one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses'. It was built in the early 14th century and although it has undergone several alterations and additions over the last 700 years ‘thoughtfully blends later periods of architecture into a scheme that is in no way jarring or evasive’ (Kettler & Trimble, Pg. 84). The oldest parts of the home are … [Read More...]
New Tudor books ready for pre-order!
I recently posted about David Loades' new book on the Boleyn family and am now very happy to announce that you can pre-order a copy from Book Depository! The Boleyn's: The Rise and Fall of a Tudor Family is described as A magnificent tale of family rivalry and intrigue set against Henry VIII's court. The fall of Anne Boleyn and her brother George is the classic drama of the Tudor era. The Boleyns had long been an influential English family. Sir Edward Boleyn had been Lord Mayor of London. … [Read More...]
The Royal Chase at Hampton Court Palace
New Event: The Royal Chase Location: Hampton Court Palace Description: King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine of Aragon are invited for a summer of pleasure at Cardinal Wolsey's splendid new palace. The young King shows off his horsemanship, while displays of falconry delight the Queen and her new lady in waiting, Anne Boleyn. Included in palace admission ticket and free for members. August Bank Holiday Weekend - 27 to 29 August … [Read More...]
Interview with author Nancy Bilyeau
I am delighted to share with you my interview with Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown, a Tudor-era religious thriller to be released in January, 2012. Here is the synopsis: London, May 1537. When Joanna Stafford, a young novice, learns her cousin is about to be burned at the stake for rebelling against Henry VIII, she makes a decision that will change not only her life, but quite possibly the fate of a nation. Joanna breaks the sacred rule of enclosure and runs away from Dartford … [Read More...]
Anne Boleyn at the Chateau Vert pageant
Today's post is a guest article by Lauren Elflein author of The Falcon Chronicles, a novel about Anne Boleyn. Here is a short synopsis: "About the throne, thunder rolls... Before her is a sea of faces. These faces of men who are accusing her of crimes that she did not commit: adultery, incest, and compassing the King's death. These expounded rumors, these wisps of conversation, these fractions of truths have blossomed into a plot so thick with lies and deceit that she knows she shall … [Read More...]
Anne Boleyn returns to Blickling Hall for some Tudor fun
The Return of the Queen is a Tudor pageant taking place on the 18th and 19th of June at The National Trust's Blickling Hall. Anne Boleyn returns to Norfolk and is reunited with Henry VIII and his other five wives! Sounds like a lot of fun to me. Here is some more information about the event from The National Trust: '16th Century fun including Tudor crime and punishment, medicine and surgery, food and feasting, archery, falconry and Henry VIII with all six wives. All at the childhood … [Read More...]
Interview with Professor David Loades
I am delighted to share with you my interview with eminent Tudor historian, Professor David Loades. David Loades has written extensively on the Tudors including biographies on Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary Tudor. Professor Loades has been commissioned by The Amberley Books to write a history of the Boleyn family to be published in September 2011. I cannot wait to read this! Click here for a full list of publications. Alison Weir calls him 'one of the best Tudor historians writing … [Read More...]
Catherine of Aragon’s marriage to Henry VIII
On the 11 June 1509 Catherine of Aragon married King Henry VIII in a private ceremony at his waterside palace in Greenwich. This was Catherine's second marriage, as her first to Henry's brother Arthur ended tragically with his death in 1502. Catherine was now 23 years of age and Henry only 17. The ceremony took place in one of the Queen’s Closets and was witnessed by only a few selected guests. One can imagine the immense relief that Catherine must have felt at finally being wed and no … [Read More...]
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in the historic woodland of Epping Forest is a hidden Tudor gem. It was built for Henry VIII in 1543 and was originally known as the Great Standing. It was constructed essentially as an open sided viewing platform from which guests could view the hunt and shoot deer from the upper floors. Windows were only installed after the reign of Charles I. Today the hunting lodge is opened as a museum. Entry is free although donations are most welcome. On the ground … [Read More...]
Anne Boleyn, ‘the late Quene’, from The Inventory of King Henry VIII
Six months after the death of King Henry VIII in 1547, a formal inventory of his moveable property was drawn up. The inventory took eighteen months to complete and according to David Starkey is more than simply ‘big and fat’ (which it is!), ‘it is also a key document for a reappraisal of the reign’ (Pg. x). The commissioners task was to survey ‘all suche readie money plate Juelles apparel Silkes household stuff Stable stuff Muniction artillerye Tentes Revelles and other ymplementes goodes or … [Read More...]
Latest Comments