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Tudor Royals in Portraiture: 1485-1558

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How we know the Tudor Royals from 1485 – 1558; and who painted them. Guest article by Melanie V. Taylor A recent article in various publications, including The Smithsonian magazine, looked at Franny Moyle’s suggestion that Holbein left  clues regarding the identification of one of his sitters of his miniatures being of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anna, Duchess of Cleves.  It is not the first time this possibility has been discussed.  Heather Darsie describes how Anna [More]

The 1348 Black Plague: Devastation Through Europe

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Guest post by Juliana Cummings As we come to what appears to be the end of the global pandemic, I’ve often thought about those who were alive during another pandemic-one that was almost 700 years ago. While Covid 19 was a scary and uncertain time for us all, we could at least rest assured that we had the knowledge and experience of doctors and scientists who understood the virology. We relied on the millions of brave first responders who cared for the sick and dying, knowing [More]

Book Review – Jane Parker: The Downfall of Two Tudor Queens by Charlie Fenton

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Review by Sarah J. Hodder Jane Parker, Lady Rochford, Jane Boleyn, or even just the wife of George Boleyn, this new book by Charlie Fenton gives us a glimpse into the life of this intriguing woman who, as the title suggests, is often credited with an involvement in the downfall of two of England’s queens. Jane Boleyn is exactly the type of subject that grabs my attention, a woman in history that is often in the shadows and so I was excited to read and review this book. [More]

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex – Tudor Rebel (Guest Post)

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Guest post by Tony Riches Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, is one of the most intriguing men of the Elizabethan period. Tall and handsome, he soon becomes a ‘favourite’ at court, so close to the queen many wonder if they are lovers. The truth is, of course, far more complex, as each has what the other yearns for. Robert Devereux longs for recognition, wealth and influence. His flamboyant naïveté amuses the ageing Queen Elizabeth, like the son she never had, and his [More]

Elizabeth’s Master of the Horse (Guest Post)

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Guest article by Samantha K. Cohen On Monday, November 28, 1558, Queen Elizabeth rode in procession to the Tower, her Master of the Horse riding close behind her. He was athletic, accomplished, brilliant, witty, extremely handsome, and Elizabeth was in love with him. He was Robert Dudley, the future Earl of Leicester. Robert Dudley’s appointment as Master of the Horse raised eyebrows and roused jealousy, but no one who knew him could doubt he was in every [More]

Book Review: Mary Queen of Scots’ Secretary by Robert Stedall

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Book Review by Sarah J. Hodder, This book centres around William Maitland, secretary to Mary Queen of Scots and one of the men around her who both supported her and, it seems, played a large part in engineering her downfall. I have long had an interest in Mary as a character, who seems to have been an incredibly strong woman who made some incredibly bad decisions. But I knew nothing about Maitland, other than perhaps his name, so was keen to find out how more about him and [More]