Recent Posts

Interview with Raven A. Nuckols, author of Had the Queen Lived: An Alternate History of Anne Boleyn

I have just published my interview with Raven A. Nuckols, author of 'Had the Queen Lived: An Alternate History of Anne Boleyn'. This is very different to other books that have been published about Anne because it poses the question what if Anne Boleyn had lived beyond 1536? How might English history have unfolded if Anne had remained Henry's wife and queen consort? I think that all Anne Boleyn admirers have at one time or another asked themselves these questions. Raven has taken it one … [Read More...]

Field of Cloth of Gold

The Field of Cloth of Gold is the name given to a place between Guines and Ardres in France, near Calais. This was the site of the historic meeting between King Henry VIII and Francis I that commenced on this day in 1520. A short video about the magnificent palace that Henry VIII had constructed at the Field of Cloth of Gold. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bzulxjxXc4] A very detailed look at Henry VIII's foot combat armour for the Field of Cloth of Gold tournament in … [Read More...]

Anonymous- Did Shakespeare or didn’t he?

If you haven't seen the trailer for 'Anonymous' yet then it's worth the few minutes! Set in Elizabethan England, the movie explores the question that has baffled academics for hundreds of years - was Shakespeare the author of the works attributed to him? Directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day), written by John Orloff and starring Joely Richardson as the Princess Elizabeth and Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Elizabeth I, this movie looks unmissable! The amazing … [Read More...]

The First Marie and the Queen of Scots

One of On the Tudor Trail's readers emailed me to recommend this book by Linda Root. I had not previously heard of this novel or the author but think it sounds very interesting. The First Marie is the initial offering in a trilogy revolving around the life and times of Marie Stuart, Queen of Scots. Here is part of the synopsis: "The astonishingly beautiful queen who reigned at the Twelfth Night festivities at Holyrood was not the Queen of Scots, but her petite blond cousin Marie … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn greeting cards now available!

Just a quick note to let you know that you can now purchase the Anne Boleyn inspired greeting cards! They are truly beautiful and I think would delight any Tudor enthusiast. Select your designs and make your purchase here: … [Read More...]

Henry VIII’s Marriage to Jane Seymour

On this day in history, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour were married by Archbishop Cranmer in a private ceremony in the Queen’s Closet at Whitehall Palace. Henry’s third wedding came only eleven days after the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. As part of the preparations for the royal wedding, Anne’s falcon badges were hurriedly replaced with Jane’s personal emblem, ‘a phoenix rising from a castle amid flames and Tudor roses painted in red and white’ (Weir, Pg. 343) and her initials … [Read More...]

The person behind the posts

It has been a little while now that I have wanted to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I receive many lovely emails from readers thanking me for the time I dedicate to the website and for the information that I post. I cannot express how much these emails mean to me, after all the work that goes into the site it is so nice to know that it is appreciated. Thank you! I thought this was also a good time to share with you a little bit about myself so that you know more about … [Read More...]

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

Between the years of 1483 and 1601, the Tower of London bore witness to the executions of seven famous prisoners: Lord Hastings in 1483, Queen Anne Boleyn in 1536, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury in 1541, Queen Katherine Howard in 1542, Jane Parker, Lady Rochford in 1542, Lady Jane Grey in 1554 and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex in 1601. Over time a number of stories emerged about the manner in which these ‘traitors’ lost their heads, perhaps none quite so gruesome – and embellished – as … [Read More...]

Images of Tudor Queens

On the 1st September Alison Weir will be giving a lecture at the National Portrait Gallery about 'Images of Tudor Queens.' 'Alison Weir looks at iconic portraits of Anne Boleyn and other Tudor queens from the Gallery's collection, and discusses the iconography of these celebrated women, and the nature of Tudor portraiture in general. What can it tell us about its subjects?' (alisonweir.org.uk) The lunchtime lecture will be held in The Ondaatje Wing Theatre and as admission is free it will … [Read More...]

The Boleyns and Wickham Court

Wickham Court today is an independent co-educational day school located in West Wickham, Kent. My interest in the building arose after reading a statement on the school’s website that states that the building is the ancestral home of the Heydon and Boleyn families and claims to have been the backdrop for King Henry VIII’s proposal to Anne Boleyn. This immediately sparked my interest and led me to do a little investigating to uncover whether this was a spurious claim or whether there was in … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn inspired greeting cards!

May 19 is a sad day for Anne Boleyn fans as we remember the tragic way in which Anne left this world but I thought it a good day to honour the memory of this remarkable Queen by sharing some exciting news with you. A few months ago I wanted to purchase some Tudor inspired greeting cards but was unhappy with the selection I found. What does one do in this situation? Have your own designed! And that is exactly what I did. The very talented Kate Holeman from The Lettered Set has illustrated a … [Read More...]

Reflections on Anne Boleyn’s remarks at her trial

'On Monday the 15th May 1536, there was arraigned within the Tower of London Queen Anne, for treason against the King's own person.' To commemorate this sad occasion, I would like to share with you a very interesting guest article by Susan Bordo from The Creation of Anne Boleyn. Susan's article goes way beyond simply looking at Anne's trial and instead delves into Anne the woman and Anne the reformer.  Susan also examines the women who influenced Anne and helped mould her into the woman … [Read More...]