Recent Posts

Alison Weir praises the play Fallen in Love: the secret heart of Anne Boleyn

Alison Weir recently attended the press night for Fallen in Love: the secret heart of Anne Boleyn, a new play by Joanna Carrick, at Gippeswyk Hall, Ipswich and gave it a very big two thumbs up! In her review she states that "Never have I seen such a convincing - or compelling - portrayal of Anne and George Boleyn." She goes on to describe the script as 'masterful' and the young actors, Fleur Keith and Joseph Pitcher, as 'dynamic.' The show runs until Sunday 5th June, for more … [Read More...]

My review of The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry

London, 1876. The painter Amos Roselli is in love with his life-long friend and model, the beautiful Daphne – and she with him – until one day she is discovered by another man, a powerful and wealthy industrialist. What will happen when Daphne realises she has sacrificed her happiness to a loveless marriage? What will happen when the artist realises he has lost his most cherished source of inspiration? And how will they negotiate the ever-increasing frequency of strange and bizarre events that … [Read More...]

Lord Leicester’s Warwickshire: The Life and Legacy of Robert Dudley

An exhibition on the life and legacy of Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester will take place at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum from 25 June-18 September. The major events covered include: The visits of the queen to Robert and his brother Ambrose (the Earl of Warwick) at Warwick Castle in 1572 and to Robert at Kenilworth Castle in 1575.  Both visits were celebrated with lavish entertainments, particularly the 19 days of ‘Princelye Pleasures’ at Kenilworth, which involved water … [Read More...]

New addition to Tudor Talk

I have just published my interview with Richard, employee of Historic Royal Palaces and currently one of the project coordinators for the Historic Cookery, about his work in the Tudor kitchens of Hampton Court Palace. The Tudor kitchens partly date back to Cardinal Wolsey's ownership of Hampton Court and these are gloriously brought back to life each year during the Live Tudor Cookery events. Richard, along with other history chefs, prepare Tudor feasts fit for a king and you can watch it … [Read More...]

Always Anne Boleyn

I would like to share with you this lovely poem about Anne Boleyn submitted by On the Tudor Trail reader, Debbie Fenton. Sister, Wife, Mother, Friend, to all these roles I shall tend. Kind of heart and strong of mind, be true to me and love shall bind. Be not deceived by tale or whisper, My lips are kind, mine soul doth shine. For good is always on my mind, courage and strength in God I find. Be blessed all those who have come to know, That what you see is joy and … [Read More...]

Katherine Parr: Complete works and correspondence

Thank you to the Lady Jane Grey Reference Guide Blog for bringing this fabulous new book to my attention. Details from The University of Chicago Press: For this new edition, Janel Mueller has assembled the four publications attributed to Parr—Psalms or Prayers, Prayers or Meditations, The Lamentation of a Sinner, and a compilation of prayers and Biblical excerpts written in her hand—as well as her extensive correspondence, which is collected here for the first time. Mueller brings to this … [Read More...]

Carving of Anne Boleyn’s Falcon Badge at the Tower of London

The five men who were arrested for committing treason with Queen Anne Boleyn were George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston, Sir William Brereton and Mark Smeaton. The poet Thomas Wyatt and Sir Richard page were also arrested although they were never tried. All seven men were incarcerated in the Tower and almost certainly housed separately. Unfortunately, no conclusive evidence survives detailing where the men were housed but some clues can be found … [Read More...]

Theatre on South Lawn: Anne Boleyn at the Tower of London

I just received an email about this new production, sounds interesting! Theatre on South Lawn: Anne Boleyn Tower of London 4-8 July Watch Anne Boleyn brought to life through Shakespeare’s wonderful language. History re-created in front of you at The Tower where Anne was tried and executed, in exciting Promenade performances. Actors from Niagara University Drama Department USA perform this dramatic Site Specific staging, directed by Valerie Doulton. In Association with The Live … [Read More...]

Remembering Anne Boleyn

I wanted to share with you the winner of our Remembering Anne competition. You may recall that I asked readers to celebrate and commemorate Anne's life by remembering her in a creative and original way. I was moved by the entries I received and will share some of them with you over the next few days but today I would like to congratulate our winner, Michael Glaeser for his moving and original tribute - a music box. One of Michael's hobbies is building music boxes so he thought it would be … [Read More...]

The May Day Tournament of 1536

The Palace of Placentia in Greenwich

On May 1 1536, the May Day tournament at Greenwich is interrupted by the King's sudden departure prompted by a message he was given. What did the message reveal? It is likely to have informed the King that Smeaton had confessed to adultery with the Queen and incriminated Rochford, Norris and Brereton, possibly even mentioning Weston. Norris and Rochford were later arrested and Brereton detained for questioning. Queen Anne Boleyn enjoyed her last night of freedom... As Anne enjoyed the May Day … [Read More...]

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s entwined initials

Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn's entwined initials Elizabeth Schuch from Immortal Longings of London recently shared with me some drawings she made of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's entwined initials and Henry and Catherine of Aragon's entwined initials. Elizabeth also drew her interpretation of Henry VIII's initials as seen on one of Henry's family portraits. Elizabeth was inspired by designs found in architecture, Henry's armour and portraiture. I especially love Henry VIII's initials - I … [Read More...]

My entirely beloved wife the Queen

On the 25 April 1536, the day after the Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Audley, a close ally of Thomas Cromwell, appointed two special commissions of oyer and terminer to examine the evidence against Queen Anne Boleyn, Henry sent a letter to his ambassador in Rome, Richard Pate and his envoys in France, Gardiner and Wallop. In this letter he instructed them to oppose the demands of the Emperor because of ‘the likelihood and appearance that God will send us heirs male [by] our most dear and most … [Read More...]