On the Tudor Trail

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...]

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...]