On the Tudor Trail

Pashley Manor- a Boleyn home

I am very happy to say that I have just added my 15th stop on the Tudor Trail! This time we must travel to the town of Ticehurst on the border of East Sussex and Kent to the beautiful Pashley Manor. Originally built in 1292 as a moated manor by the de Passele family, it was eventually sold to the Bullen family from Norfolk in 1453. The Bullens, later Boleyns, held the manor until Queen Anne Boleyn’s downfall in 1536 possibly using it as a hunting lodge. It is said that Anne Boleyn … [Read More...]

Archbishop Cranmer declares Henry and Anne’s marriage valid

Hello all! I was just thinking about Anne (as I do a lot...) and was trying to imagine what she would have been feeling on this day in 1533 because not only had Cranmer declared her marriage valid but also the next day would mark the commencement of the coronation ceremonies and Henry and Anne’s first public ceremony as a royal couple. I think that she must have felt untouchable- pregnant with the heir to the throne of England, doted on by her husband the King and soon to be an anointed … [Read More...]

These bloody days…

On the morning of Wednesday, 17th May 1536 George Boleyn, Henry Norris, Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton were led out of the Tower under close guard and beheaded on a high scaffold on Tower Hill. Large crowds had gathered to see the bloody end of these once great men- among the onlookers stood a number of courtiers. Anne Boleyn and Thomas Wyatt were witnesses to these gruesome acts from the window of their prison cells within the Tower. It seems likely that Wyatt watched from … [Read More...]

Roses at the Tower of London

On my visit to the Tower of London last year I spoke with a Yeoman Warder about the roses that are said to be anonymously delivered to the Tower of London to commemorate the anniversary of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn. He confirmed that every May 19th roses are indeed sent to the Tower and believed this to be happening since Victorian times. Interestingly, he also added that due to security reasons they were forced to enquire as to the identity of the person or persons sending the roses … [Read More...]

Raise a glass to Henry VIII at Hampton Court

How I would love to be able to visit the recently unveiled recreation of a Tudor wine fountain at Hampton Court Palace. This is already one of my favourite places on Earth and the addition of the wine fountain where visitors can enjoy a glass of red or chilled white wine on weekends just makes it all the more spectacular. Hampton Court was well known in its day as a place where Henry VIII would lavishly entertain his guests with festivities, revels and copious amounts of beer and wine- hence … [Read More...]

Berkeley Castle- Host to a Royal honeymoon?

I have been busy updating my 'Tudor Trail' page on my website: On the Tudor Trail I now have 14 houses, castles, parks and churches with a connection to Anne Boleyn and will be adding more in the near future. They are all places that Anne Boleyn visited and that are still in existence today! My latest addition is the historic Berkeley Castle. The same family has inhabited the amazing Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire for 900 years! The castle was built in the 12th century to keep … [Read More...]

Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey Exhibition at the National Gallery

For those of you lucky enough to live nearby, the National Gallery in London is currently exhibiting Delaroche's famous painting depicting the moment prior to Lady Jane Grey's execution. She was only 16 years old and Queen for a mere 9 days when she was sent to the Tower and executed on February 12th 1554. View preparatory drawings and sketches and discover how this painting evolved into such a powerful and moving piece. For more information visit the National Gallery . … [Read More...]

Q & A with Hilary Mantel

It's taken me a while to add this post but it's better late than never I say! Last year my sister was lucky enough to interview the very talented Hilary Mantel for an article published in Australia's Who Weekly Magazine. I thought it might be nice to share with you the insights she offers. Why are readers insatiable when it comes to the Tudor period? And what drew you to it? Henry’s story has all the ingredients of great soap opera, but it’s also a deeply interesting era in English … [Read More...]

Ghost of Anne Boleyn?

Last September, after dreaming about this moment for a decade, I visited Hever Castle. Being in Anne Boleyn's childhood home; a place that was so dear to her was beyond belief. I kept imagining her walking through the gardens and into the castle, it was amazing to think that she'd been here and that only time separated us now. This was a wonderful thought- we were finally sharing the same space! Entering Anne's bedroom was a very surreal moment. A person's bedroom is so personal, so private and … [Read More...]

Haunted Gallery Hampton Court

A reader recently wrote in to share with me a paranormal experience she had in 1987 at Hampton Court and this got me thinking about my recent visit. In September last year I was lucky enough to spend the day wandering the corridors of Hampton Court and was even able to take part in the preparations for Henry VIII's wedding to Catherine Parr- more to come on this soon! My hopes of something 'paranormal' happening were of course increased as I approached the Haunted Gallery as one always hopes to … [Read More...]

Medieval treasures on display in Winchester exhibition

A copy of the petition that urged the Pope to allow Henry VIII to divorce Catherine of Aragon is currently on display at The Gallery Winchester Discovery Centre as part of the Treasures of Hyde Abbey exhibition. For more information visit: Visit Winchester … [Read More...]

Haunted Portrait of Anne Boleyn!

A reader recently wrote in to share with me a strange experience she had at Hampton Court in 1987. I find this a fascinating occurrence as I've never heard of an experience quite like it. Here is her story in her own words: "I will share with you a true experience that happened to me at Hampton Court in 1987. I came upon a portrait of Anne Boleyn (but instead of the traditional pose), she had a big grin on her face - I thought it was a caricature of the famous portrait we all know. I went … [Read More...]