On the Tudor Trail

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...]

Anne Boleyn’s Mottoes

A reader recently wrote in asking me whether I knew if Anne Boleyn had adopted any other mottoes apart from “The Moost Happi” in her lifetime. I did a little research but have to say that I didn’t come across a lot of information about Anne’s mottoes. Most of what I did find came from Eric Ives’ biography about Anne (my bible…) The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn. In 1530, Anne briefly adopted the motto “Aisi sera groigne qui groigne” which translates to, “Let them grumble; that is how it is … [Read More...]

Tudor Time Traveller

The fact that I am obsessed with uncovering and documenting all the places that Anne Boleyn visited during her lifetime, that we can visit today, is by no means a secret! I am always on the look out for a new place to research and always welcome suggestions from readers. But apart from places that Anne visited, I am also interested in places where other prominent Tudor personalities spent time and for that reason regularly post about other interesting Tudor locations. Today's Tudor … [Read More...]

On the Tudor Trail’s New Look

As most of you have probably noticed the site has undergone some changes over the last day or so and now has a completely new look! The changes were inspired by a page from one of Anne Boleyn's Book of Hours and were designed by the very talented Kate Holeman from The Lettered Set. I had my heart set on finding a talented and creative illustrator who also had an interest in Tudor England and after looking around for months was ecstatic when I found Kate by complete accident! On the … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with author and historian Anna Whitelock

I have just posted my interview with author and historian, Anna Whitelock. Anna's biography on Mary Tudor (Mary Tudor: England's First Queen) has received excellent reviews with David Starkey describing it as "An impressive and powerful debut." The Amazon description reads: Mary Tudor was the first woman to be crowned Queen of England. Her accession, in the summer of 1553, took place against the odds and it was, in many ways, emblematic of her life. Anna Whitelock's assured, impassioned … [Read More...]

In the Blink of an Eye- Anne Boleyn at the Tower of London

One of On the Tudor Trail's readers, Sarah, wrote in to share with me a truly amazing experience she had during a visit to the Tower of London last year. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, Sarah's experience had a profound impact on her and was undeniably real in her eyes. I think it's a beautiful story and shows just how strong our connection can be with a person from the past. Thank you for sharing Sarah! On a warm autumn’s day in October 2009 I went to the Tower of London. … [Read More...]