Recent Posts

Elizabeth I Locket Ring

This beautiful ring was removed from Elizabeth I's finger after her death on March 24th 1603. The Elizabethan ring is mother-of-pearl, the band is set with rubies and the ‘E’ contains six diamonds set over a blue enamel ‘R’. A stunning pearl is also clearly visible. What makes this ring so unique is that its stunning façade hides a secret  - the head of the ring is hinged and within it lie two miniature enamel portraits, one of Elizabeth c. 1575 and one of an unnamed woman. The woman wears … [Read More...]

Kentwell’s Great Annual Re-Creation of Tudor Life

Kentwell Hall has been a family home for over 500 years. Most of the current building’s façade dates from the middle of the 16th century although the home’s origins go further back, with references in the Domesday Book of 1086. Successive generations of the Clopton family occupied Kentwell Hall from 1385 until 1661, when the last Clopton descendant died at the home. The Cloptons were responsible for building the present Hall between 1500 and 1550 and created much of what we see … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn’s Jewellery

Right from the start of their relationship, Henry gave Anne many gifts. Many were symbolic pieces of jewellery that formed an important part of the rituals of Courtly Love. Starkey believes that in the late summer of 1526 Henry wrote what is probably his first letter in a sequence written after Anne had left Court and returned to her family home at Hever. Accompanying this first letter was Henry’s picture set in a bracelet with ‘the device which you already know’ (Starkey, Pg. 280). In the … [Read More...]

Retha M. Warnicke interviewed by Showtime

In June 2010, Retha M. Warnicke, history professor at ASU, was interviewed by Showtime for their hit television series "The Tudors". I thought you might be interested in watching the interview. Some of Warnicke's theories are controversial, in particular her theory about Anne Boleyn's downfall. Warncike believes that something was horribly wrong with the foetus that Anne miscarried in January 1536, leading Henry to believe God was punishing her for sexual crimes. I do not agree with … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with C.J. Sansom

I am delighted to welcome author C.J. Sansom to On the Tudor Trail. C.J. earned a Ph.D. in history and was a lawyer before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of the Matthew Shardlake crime novels set in the reign of Henry VIII. The protagonist is a hunchbacked lawyer who works on commissions initially from Thomas Cromwell in Dissolution and Dark Fire and then Thomas Cranmer in Sovereign and Revelation. Sansom's latest novel Heartstone is set during the summer of 1545. Shardlake … [Read More...]

A Love of Books

My husband has just surprised me with two new books for my Tudor library! It’s not my birthday, our anniversary or any other day where pressies might be expected and so it makes the gesture all the more special. He understands not only my love of all things Tudor but also my love of books! I love the smell of books (both old and new), the feel of the pages between my finger-tips, the excitement of reading the opening line, the anticipation of what’s to come, the ‘friends’ I make along the … [Read More...]

A Who’s Who of Tudor Women and more!

I wanted to bring to your attention some fabulous resources that I have recently discovered. The first is 'A Who's Who of Tudor Women' a compilation of mini-biographies of women that lived at least part of their life between 1485-1603. Kathy Lynn Emerson has written all the entries herself using a variety of historical documentation and online genealogies. Kathy also has information on Titles used in Tudor times and an excellent list of Women at Court. The list is organised by Household … [Read More...]

Nonsuch Palace – Henry VIII’s Privy Palace

Nonsuch Palace was built on the medieval settlement of Cuddington, the church and village were swept away to make way for Henry’s new house. Building commenced on the 22nd of April 1538, the 30th anniversary of the King’s accession, and according to Simon Thurley ‘may have been intended as a monument to thirty years of his rule’ (Pg. 61). Unusually among Henry’s houses, Nonsuch was not an adaption of an old building. There was no pre-existing house to influence its design and so Thurley … [Read More...]

The Battle of Towton – a free talk at The National Archives

'The largest, longest, bloodiest and most murderous battle ever fought in Britain' A free talk will be held on the 31 March between 14:00-15:00 at the National Archives. This talk is an introduction to the biggest battle of the Wars of the Roses, the decisive clash in a snowstorm at Towton in Yorkshire on 29 March 1461. Information from The National Archives' website: A new English dynasty came to the throne with Edward IV's victory, but more Englishmen may have died at Towton than on the … [Read More...]

Courses, Talks and Workshops at Historic Royal Palaces

The Historic Royal Palaces offers an excellent adult learning programme led by their team of curators and conservators, alongside special guest speakers and highly respected experts. You can download the full list of courses, talks and workshops being offered in Spring 2011 here (be patient, does take some time to download). A couple of the courses that sound really interesting are 'Prisoners of the Tower' and 'Real Tennis'. Here are the details provided by the Historic Royal … [Read More...]

What is it about Anne Boleyn?

I was recently interviewed and asked to answer this question, what is it about Anne Boleyn that has so inspired you? I will be honest and say that I had difficulty 'verbalising' it. I know what I feel for Anne, the admiration, the respect, the loyalty, even - the love, but I had never been asked to dissect my feelings before and try and pin point exactly what it is that draws me to her. I did though try and this is what I came up with: Anne Boleyn inspires me because of her complexity … [Read More...]

Win an autographed copy of ‘The Lady in the Tower’ by Alison Weir

To celebrate our 'Save Anne Boleyn's Portrait' Facebook page exceeding 1000 members, I am giving away an autographed copy of Alison Weir's 'The Lady in the Tower' kindly donated by Alison. It is our way of thanking you all for supporting this important cause and helping save Anne Boleyn's iconic NPG portrait. The Lady in the Tower is an in depth account of Anne's final four months weaved superbly into the context of her life. Weir looks in detail at the events leading up to Anne’s arrest, … [Read More...]