Recent Posts

Lost Tudor Garden

I watched a fabulous episode of Lost Gardens today. For those of you that don't know the show here is ABC TV's blurb: Step back in time to discover eight forgotten and overgrown gardens, recreating them to resemble what they would've been in their heyday. Renowned British garden presenter Monty Don leads a horticultural and design team to ressurect eight very different British gardens, spanning 500 years. They include a 19th century Warwick grocer's detached pleasure garden, a Tudor … [Read More...]

Best Tudor Books

I have just posted a list of non-fiction books about The Tudors and Tudor England that I have referred to when researching posts and articles for my site. I have also added some that I have not yet read but that I have heard good reviews about. The books have been organised under topics of interest including Anne Boleyn, Six Wives, Henry VIII & Court, Mary, Elizabeth & Edward, Other Tudor Personalities, Life in Tudor England and more! This is a work in progress, as I will be adding … [Read More...]

Catherine of Aragon: The Spanish Queen of Henry VIII

I am so excited about this book by Giles Tremlett and cannot wait for it to be published later this year (November 23rd). It is the first full length biography on Catherine of Aragon that has been written in over 40 years! The amazon book blurb reads: The youngest child of the legendary monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536) was born to marry for dynastic gain. Endowed with English royal blood on her mother's side, she was betrothed in infancy to Arthur, … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with Robin Maxwell

I have just posted On the Tudor Trail's exclusive interview with Robin Maxwell. Author of eight historical fiction novels including The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Mademoiselle Boleyn and The Queen's Bastard. In April of 1997 when Maxwell's first novel, The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, was published my interest in Anne had only just sparked but after reading and LOVING this book I was determined to find out more about this woman that managed to change history. Thirteen years later, I am … [Read More...]

The Tudor Time Traveller- Hever Castle

This week’s Tudor Time Traveller location is Hever Castle. On my recent trip to England, like any loyal Anne Boleyn fan, I could not wait to visit Hever Castle. I spent weeks dreaming about the moment when I would finally come face to face with Anne’s childhood home. The home where she grew up and spent many happy years. I longed to walk the grounds where she had walked, to be in the same space that had once been occupied by Anne Boleyn. I was fascinated by the fact that the walls had once … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with Jeane Westin and Tudor book giveaway!

I have just posted our exclusive interview with Jeane Westin author of His Last Letter, a novel about Elizabeth I and The Earl of Leicester. I found Jeane's responses tremendously informative and interesting. We talk about everything from the lure of the Tudors, traditions of the Elizabethan court, to Elizabeth and Dudley's tempestuous relationship. Read the full interview here. To coincide with our interview I am giving away a copy of Jeane Westin's His Last Letter! Entry is open to … [Read More...]

King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn at Waltham Abbey

I get so excited when I add another Anne Boleyn place to our extensive list. Number 26 On the Tudor Trail is Waltham Abbey in Essex. The Augustinian abbey was a popular place for kings to stay during hunting trips in nearby Waltham Forest. Henry VIII was a regular visitor and on several occasions was accompanied by Anne Boleyn. Read the full post here. … [Read More...]

The Tudor Time Traveller

The Tudor Time Traveller has arrived at On the Tudor Trail. Each Friday I will showcase a new ‘Tudor photograph’ and tell its story and history. Many of the photos will be from my own private collection taken on my ‘Tudor Pilgrimage’ trip last September. Today’s Tudor Time Traveller location is The Cloisters in Westminster Abbey. I took this photo while at Westminster Abbey last year and it is one of my favourites of the trip. My sister and I arrived at Westminster early one … [Read More...]

The Courier’s Tale and Heartstone

The fact that I love books is no secret. To me they are among my most valuable possessions because of their ability to transport you to a different time and place. The joy of losing myself in a book is indescribable. The feel of the freshly printed pages and the promise of what lies ahead inspires me to continue filling my library with book after book. I recently received two new books set in Tudor England. The first is The Courier's Tale by Peter Walker, a New Zealander living in London. The … [Read More...]

Did Henry VIII have syphilis?

Inside the Body of Henry VIII is an entertaining and informative program that recently aired on the history channel. It is a treasure trove of information about Henry VIII’s medical conditions and the role they played in transforming him from gentle and charming prince to obese and cruel tyrant. I will be doing a series of posts based on the investigations carried out by historian, Dr Lucy Worsley, Henry biographer, Robert Hutchinson and medical doctor, Catherine Hood and would like to begin … [Read More...]

Our exclusive interview with Suzannah Dunn

I feel very honoured that so many talented authors have taken time out of their busy schedules to answer some questions for us at On the Tudor Trail. Our latest interviewee, Suzannah Dunn author of four Tudor books, is no exception. Her first Tudor novel, The Queen of Subtleties, was described by Alison Weir as offering: 'A stunningly refreshing way of retelling an old story. I often abandon historical novels nowadays, but I really could not put this one down. It brings Anne Boleyn to life as … [Read More...]

Exclusive interview with Alisa Libby

I have just posted On the Tudor Trail's exclusive interview with Alisa Libby, author of The King's Rose a novel about Catherine Howard. In our interview Alisa and I discuss King Henry VIII's court, her favourite of Henry's queens, the ghost of Catherine Howard and much more! Read the full interview here. … [Read More...]