Recent Posts

The Virgin Queen’s Fatal Affair- Who Killed Amy Robsart?

There has been much discussion of late about the recently aired (in the UK) documentary, The Virgin Queen's Fatal Affair. Here is Channel 5 website's description: "Did a controversial love affair between Elizabeth I and her confidante Robert Dudley lead to a savage murder? This programme explores remarkable new evidence suggesting that Dudley's wife, Amy Robsart, was assassinated so that her husband could be free to marry the Queen." From these few lines alone we can see why there is … [Read More...]

December book giveaway competition- The King’s Rose by Alisa Libby

Yesterday I announced the winner of our November book giveaway competition at On the Tudor Trail, congratulations again Kelly! And today I am very happy to post the details of our December book giveaway competition. This time the lucky winner will receive a copy of Alisa Libby's The King's Rose, the story of Catherine Howard's rise and fall told in Catherine's own words. I was engaged from the opening line and did not want to put the book down. Believable, entertaining and intriguing- highly … [Read More...]

Henry VIII and Travel

I have just finished reading a very interesting and informative article about Henry VIII and travel. In the article Dr Glen Richardson describes the reasons behind the regular moves made by the court.  He states that “Henry usually travelled to hunt, to get to know his kingdom better and to show himself off to his own people and to foreigners alike as a magnanimous and accomplished prince” (Pg. 1). Even though Henry did a fair amount of travelling he was still the ‘least well-travelled’ of … [Read More...]

Little Sodbury Manor hosts King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn

During their 1535 summer progress, King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn stayed at Little Sodbury. The manor, originally built in the 15th century, was the home of Sir John Walsh and his wife. The Walshes had employed William Tyndale “in the awkward days before he had fled abroad to escape Wolsey’s persecution” (Starkey, Pg. 532). Tradition has him beginning his translation of the bible in one of the bedrooms. Continue reading here. … [Read More...]

Queen Elizabeth’s Virginals- Elizabeth’s or Anne Boleyn’s?

Anne Boleyn was a skilled musician and according to Eric Ives, "Her skill in performance is commented on by everyone" (Pg. 285). Ives believes that it is possible that a case of virginals, known as 'Queen Elizabeth's Virginals' housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum may have originally belonged to Anne Boleyn. Thought to have been made during the first part of Elizabeth's reign until the date '1594' was recently discovered on the jack-rail of the instrument. The collections department … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with C.W Gortner

I have been lucky enough to interview many wonderful authors over the last few months and have tremendously enjoyed reading their thoughts and opinions on a variety of matters. But up until now the interviewees had all been women! This was certainly not something I did on purpose, it just seems that many of the authors of Tudor historical fiction are women. So it is with great pleasure that I post my exclusive interview with Christopher Gortner, author of The Last Queen a novel about Juana of … [Read More...]

Historical Fiction or Populist Toss?

I am not sure if I have ever shared with you a little about my day job. I am a Primary School Teacher and so this time of the year is consumed by the terrible 'R' word - reports! I have been very busy writing reports and so haven't had much time to research and write my usual number of posts but I am so lucky to have had some wonderful guest posts submitted that I was able to share with you. I am very happy to say that I have almost finished all my reports and will be once again free to research … [Read More...]

Grief and Coffins: Was Juana of Castile really mad?

Todays post is a guest article by Christopher Gortner, author of The Last Queen (Read my review of this fabulous book here). The book is about Juana of Castile, the almost forgotten Queen, that history dubbed 'Loca' (mad) but the million dollar question is was Juana really mad? Let's take a look at what C.W.Gortner thinks. Grief and Coffins: Was Juana of Castile really mad? One of the most iconic images of Queen Juana of Castile, known to history as la Loca, or the Mad, is of her … [Read More...]

Anne Boleyn- Behind the Myths

Just a quick post to let you know about this documentary on Anne Boleyn and the myths that surround her that I just found on You Tube. Snippets of films are used to illustrate Anne's story. Please note that I have no control over the comments left by viewers on the videos and most definitely do not agree with all that is said. I will also add that one of my favourite authors and historians is the wonderful Alison Weir (you'll see why I have mentioned this after you watch the videos). I … [Read More...]

A review of The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner

C.W Gortner’s The Last Queen is the story of Juana of Castile the third child of Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. It is an evocative and vivid portrayal of the life of a Queen that history all but forgot. I was hooked from the beginning and immediately drawn into the world of this beautiful and intelligent woman who spent almost her entire life fighting for her crown, her freedom and, in the end, her life. She battled and struggled against all odds and I was there by her side … [Read More...]

When was Anne Boleyn Born?

The debate about Anne Boleyn's birth year has raged for many years and will continue to do so as people always interpret primary sources and evidence differently. My personal belief is that Anne was born around 1501 but that doesn't mean to say that I am not interested in reading arguments for a later birth year. Today's post is a guest article by author Wendy J. Dunn. Wendy believes that the arguments for Anne’s birth in 1507 are much stronger than the other suggested years of 1502 or 1501. … [Read More...]

A carol about Anne Boleyn

The year is 1530, Christmas is fast approaching, Anne Boleyn briefly adopts the motto “Aisi sera groigne qui groigne” -  'Let them grumble; that is how it is going to be!' (Ives, Pg. 141) and inspires a Christmas carol by an anonymous Boleyn supporter: Grudge on who list, this is my lot:                                                                                      Nothing to want if it were not. My years be young, even as ye see;                                                         … [Read More...]