Recent Posts

Fallen in Love: The secret heart of Anne Boleyn

Artistic director, Joanna Carrick has researched and written a play called 'Fallen in Love: The secret heart of Anne Boleyn' to be performed in a unique theatre tent in the grounds of the tudor manor house, Gippeswyk Hall, Ipswich. It is 1536. The woman who changed the world forever by capturing the heart of a King, faces trial with her brother George for adultery, incest and treason. The passionate story of betrayal and jealousy shows us the true heart of Queen Anne Boleyn, revealing at last … [Read More...]

Would the real Anne Boleyn please come forward?

With all this talk of portraits, I thought it would be a good time to look a little more closely at the paintings that exist that claim to be Anne Boleyn. According to Eric Ives ‘there are two patterns which clearly represent separate traditions’ (Pg. 42). On the one hand we have the pattern depicting Anne wearing a gable hood. A painting in this pattern is now in a private collection in Bradford and shows Anne wearing a gable hood and a brooch in the form of a single drop pearl hanging … [Read More...]

The Whore and the Virgin: Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I

On the 17th March at Kensington Library, Alison Weir and Tracy Borman will be discussing Anne Boleyn's downfall and the impact it had on Elizabeth I. Here is some more information provided by the library: Join Alison Weir and Tracy Borman as they discuss Anne Boleyn's fall from grace and the impact that this had upon her daughter, Elizabeth I, who some argue eclipsed Henry VIII, in the story of the nation. Of all the women in Henry VIII’s life, none are more famed, studied and celebrated … [Read More...]

Save Anne Boleyn’s Portrait Page

Although I have already donated what I could to the National Portrait Gallery in London to help with the conservation work needed on Anne Boleyn’s portrait, I felt as though I wanted to do something more. So I have launched a ‘Save Anne Boleyn’s Portrait’ Page on Facebook to try and raise awareness of the urgent conservation work needed. I am very happy to announce that author and historian, Alison Weir, has officially endorsed the page! Here is what Alison has to say: "I am delighted to … [Read More...]

Make Authentic Tudor Manchet Bread

I have in the past posted about 'Historical Foods' a wonderful website where you will find food history articles, feast recipes and historic recipes including a section on Tudor recipes! A recent addition is a recipe for Manchet Bread that was eaten in both Medieval and Tudor Britain by the rich upper classes. Historical Foods states that: "this whiter manchet flour was desired by the rich upper classes because it made a lighter loaf, of finer texture. It was also far more expensive than … [Read More...]

And the Tudor books just keep on coming! Prophecy by S.J. Parris

Sounds like an interesting read, here is the synopsis from Harper Collins: The second in a major new series of historical thrillers featuring Giordano Bruno, philospher, scientist and heretic, for all fans of C.J.Sansom and The Name of the Rose. Autumn, 1583. It's the year of the Great Conjunction: an astrological phenomenon believed to herald the death of one age and the dawn of another. England's tentative peace is under threat and prophecies foretell the death of Queen Elizabeth and, … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn and the Tudor sweating sickness

In 1528, Du Bellay, the French ambassador wondered if Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s relationship was strong enough to survive an extended period of separation. The ambassador’s question was soon answered, when on 16 June 1528, one of Anne’s ladies in waiting fell ill with the dreaded sweating sickness, ‘a highly contagious and frequently fatal disease’ that Eric Ives believes was probably a virus infection similar to the Spanish flu of 1918 (Pg. 100). As usual, when there was any sign of … [Read More...]

New Tudor Books!

It looks like this is going to be a very busy year with so many interesting Tudor books due to be published. Here is a little taste of what's to come: Anne Boleyn: In Her Own Words & the Words of Those Who Knew Her by Elizabeth Norton (Available April 1 2011) Amazon Product Description: The complete letters, dispatches and chronicles that tell the real story of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, caused comment wherever she went. Through the chronicles, letters … [Read More...]

An interview with historical fiction writer Susan Higginbotham

I have just published my interview with Susan Higginbotham, author of historical fiction. Susan has written novels set in fourteenth-century England during the reigns of Edward II and Edward III and in fifteenth-century England during the Wars of the Roses. Her novel, The Queen of Last Hopes, tells the story of Margaret of Anjou. Here is a brief synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Margaret of Anjou journeys from France to marry England’s Henry VI, she hopes that her wedding will mean a lasting … [Read More...]

The Death of Henry VIII

“You often boast to me that you have the king’s ear and often have fun with him, freely and according to your whims. This is like having fun with tamed lions – often it is harmless, but just as often there is fear of harm. Often he roars in rage for no known reason, and suddenly the fun becomes fatal.” Thomas More On Friday 28th January 1547, the man who had started his reign as a ‘Virtuous Prince’ died at Whitehall Palace. He was aged 55. The day before his death Henry saw his … [Read More...]

The Blood of Henry VIII

Dr Catrina Whitley has just announced that her new website is up and running. Although minimal at the moment you will still find mini bio's on the authors, contact information and importantly, a link to the full article, 'A New Explanation for the Reproductive Woes and Midlife Decline of Henry VIII'. As discussed in previous posts, the authors propose that Henry VIII was positive for the Kell blood group and suffered from McLeod Syndrome. Read the full article for yourself, assess the … [Read More...]