Recent Posts
Dr David Starkey’s lecture at Peterborough Cathedral
Today's post is a guest article by On the Tudor Trail reader Keeleigh Hodgson, who has very kindly taken the time to write a summary of the lecture that David Starkey recently gave to a packed Peterborough Cathedral. I know that those of us who live abroad or who were unable to make the lecture are very grateful that Keeleigh has taken the time to share this information with us. Please join me in welcoming Keeleigh to On the Tudor Trail and thanking her for her time. David Starkey's … [Read More...]
A review of The Tudor Secret by Christopher Gortner
Having read and loved The Last Queen by Christopher Gortner I couldn’t wait to read the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles – The Tudor Secret. I read the book in a few sittings and was hooked from the opening line, “Everyone has a secret. Like the oyster with its grain of sand, we bury it deep within, coating it with opalescent layers, as if that could heal our mortal wound.” The story is set in the summer of 1553, a time in Tudor history filled with danger and … [Read More...]
The Birth of Henry the spare and not the heir!
On the 28 June 1491, Elizabeth of York gave birth to her third child, Henry, at Greenwich Palace officially known as Placentia. Little Henry was Henry VII and Elizabeth’s second son. Arthur, their eldest and heir to the throne of England, was a few months short of his fifth birthday when his brother entered the world. Richard Foxe christened Henry at the church of the Observant Friars but when it comes down to details about Henry’s birth, very little was recorded. Henry was, as David … [Read More...]
Ghost stories from Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace has been the setting for many dramatic royal events over the last 500 years, including the death of Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour and the imprisonment of his fifth wife, Katherine Howard. It is no wonder then that visitors and staff alike have experienced unusual phenomena within its walls. Perhaps one of the most famous stories is that of Katherine Howard’s screaming spectre. On 30 October 1541, Thomas Cranmer informed Henry, via a letter, that his new Queen … [Read More...]
Catherine of Aragon crowned Queen of England
Catherine of Aragon married Henry VIII in a private ceremony on 11 June 1509 and was crowned alongside him in Westminster Abbey two weeks later. On the day before their coronation, they processed through London and were met by cheering crowds. According to Alison Weir Henry wore, ‘a robe of crimson velvet trimmed with ermine over a coat of ‘raised gold’, which was embroidered with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, great pearls and other rich stones, and Katherine in virginal white satin.’ … [Read More...]
Henry VIII Week at the Falstaff Experience
The Falstaff Experience Tudor World Museum in Stratford-Upon-Avon is hosting a week long celebration for Henry VIII's birthday. Henry would have been celebrating his 520th birthday this year and to honour the notorious monarch, celebrations will run from Saturday the 25th June until Sunday 3rd of July. Visitors will be able to meet Henry VIII and some of his wives at different times throughout the week and each visitor will receive a small gift from the big man himself. To make it even … [Read More...]
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...]
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