Recent Posts

Hertford Museum Tudor Events

I wanted to share with you some great Tudor events coming up at Hertford Museum. I particularly like the sound of Mud, Sweat and Beer as I am fascinated by Tudor diseases and cures. Mud, Sweat and Beer - Everyday Life in Tudor Times Saturday 2nd April - Saturday 3rd September 2011 Find out how gruesome diseases were treated, discover toe curling punishments and work up an appetite for Tudor food. Would you survive a Tudor childhood? Bringing together a wide range of amazing Tudor artefacts, … [Read More...]

Days that shook the world: The execution of Anne Boleyn

The BBC series Days that shook the world features various events throughout history, one of which is the execution of Anne Boleyn. This dramatisation of Anne’s final days is based on first hand accounts and depicts the last 24 hours of Anne's life while imprisoned in the Tower of London. It also briefly features Anne's debut at the English Court in 1521, the beginning of Henry's fascination with her in 1526 and the events that paved the way for their marriage in 1532-33. There are a number … [Read More...]

Recycled Movie Costumes

My sister recently sent me a link to this interesting website, it's called 'Recycled Movie Costumes' and it's dedicated to -  you guessed it -  documenting recycled movie costumes! If you select the Tudor/Elizabethan period from the drop down menu then you will find photos of costumes that have appeared in one production and then went on to be used in another. For example, this beautiful yellow gown that was created for the film Anne of a Thousand Days in 1969, and worn by Genevieve … [Read More...]

Interview with Dr Tarnya Cooper

I am delighted to share with you my interview with Dr Tarnya Cooper, Curator of Sixteenth Century Collections at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Dr Cooper's responses are thorough and informative and shed much light on a fascinating area of Tudor history - Tudor portraiture. Read my full interview with Dr Cooper here. … [Read More...]

The Legend of Anne Boleyn

Over the next few weeks I am going to explore some of the legends associated with Anne Boleyn. My goal is not to pass judgement on the stories but simply share them with you in the hope of better understanding Anne’s place in English folklore. After Anne Boleyn’s execution, a number of stories arose about Anne’s body being removed from the Tower of London and reburied elsewhere. Other legends also emerged about Anne’s heart being stolen and hidden. One such legend is connected with St … [Read More...]

The Girl in the Mirror by Sarah Gristwood

Due to be published in June 2011, The Girl in the Mirror by Sarah Gristwood sounds fabulous! And the cover is simply stunning. Here is the synopsis: ‘Entrancing, compelling, and beautifully written…This is the historical novel as literary fiction – and damned good literary fiction at that.’ Alison Weir Jeanne, a young French exile orphaned by the wars of religion on the continent, is brought to London as a young girl disguised as a boy. Growing up, the disguise has not been shed and … [Read More...]

Traitors of the Tower

I just had to share with you another wonderful event! At 2 pm, on the 31st May at Whitehall, Cheam, Surrey, Alison Weir will be speaking about Traitors of the Tower. The talk will take place in a fabulous Tudor house built c. 1500. The following information is from Alison's website: More than four hundred years ago, seven people - five of them women - were beheaded in the Tower of London. Three had been queens of England. The others were found guilty of treason. Why were such important … [Read More...]

Events for members at Historic Royal Palaces

As a member of Historic Royal Palaces you can enjoy exclusive members only events as well as discounts on selected public events. Here is a taste of what's on offer for members at HRP in 2011. Tower of London The Girl in the Mirror by Sarah Gristwood Official book launch in partnership with HarperCollins Date: 22 June, doors open 18.30 for a 18.45 start Price: £10 including drinks reception Elizabeth I was notoriously fond of her men and had numerous favourites during her long … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII’s Private Motif- Honeysuckle & Acorns

At some point during their relationship Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII adopted honeysuckle and acorns as a private motif (Ives, Pg. 243). It is unclear as to when exactly it was adopted and whether they adopted the symbol separately or together but what is clear is that it featured regularly in palace furnishings. Honeysuckle has long been a symbol of love and devotion, while an acorn symbolizes fertility, growth and new life. It has also been used as an emblem of luck, prosperity and … [Read More...]

The Henry VIII Show

This sounds like a lot of fun! The following information is from the Redditch Palace Website. On The Other Hand Puppet Theatre Company Present The Henry VIII Show In this unique show, Henry VIII tells his story with the ghosts of his queens  and principal courtiers coming back to haunt him.  Ken, a volunteer at the local museum, is setting out a display of Tudor items for a lecture being given that day.  He finds a hat that belonged to Will Somers, Henry VIII’s Jester, and tries it on. … [Read More...]

Graven with Diamonds: The Many Lives of Thomas Wyatt: Courtier, Poet, Assasin, Spy

Just a quick post to let you know about this new book called Graven with Diamonds: The Many Lives of Thomas Wyatt: Courtier, Poet, Assasin, Spy by Nicola Shulman. It is a close study of the Tudor poet Sir Thomas Wyatt and is due to be released this month. I think it sounds very interesting. Here is the synopsis, This intriguing and amusing book tells the story of Henry VIII, - his court, his victims and his Queens - from the perspective of a powerful but little-discussed influence in the … [Read More...]

A review of Sandra Worth’s ‘Pale Rose of England’

Synopsis It is 1497. The news of the survival of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, has thundered across Europe, setting royal houses ablaze with intrigue and rocking the fledgling Tudor dynasty. Stepping finally onto English soil, Catherine arrives at the island of Saint Michael’s Mount, along with her husband and young son Dickon, their second child already on the way. With the keen support of Scotland’s King James IV, Richard—known in England as Perkin Warbeck—has come to reclaim his … [Read More...]