Margaret Pole

The Unfortunate Countess: Margaret Pole

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At Farleigh Castle on the 14th of August 1473, a daughter was born to the Duke and Duchess of Clarence. They called her Margaret, most likely after the Duke's sister's Margaret of Burgundy. Margaret was born during the brutal and bloody time of the Wars of the Rose - a powerful family divided by the House of York and House of Lancaster, and each believed the throne of England belonged to them. Margaret Plantagenet was born in the middle of this English chaos. At the time of [More]

Book Review: Prince of York – A Story of Reginald Pole by Samantha Wilcoxson

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Reginald Pole may have come from the royal blood of the House of York but that wouldn't save him from the wrath of his cousin, King Henry VIII. I have known Samantha Wilcoxson for a couple of years now and I was very excited when she offered me an ARC (advance review copy) of her new book, "Prince of York". All of her novels and novellas are fantastic and her writing style seems almost effortless. Once you begin reading it's hard to put one of her books down. This would [More]

Heroines of Plantagenet Embers (Guest Post)

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Heroines of Plantagenet Embers By Samantha Wilcoxson for Tudors Dynasty A writer puts a little bit of themselves into every character they create. Maybe we are not as adventurous, devout, or charismatic as our beloved characters, but we wish we were, and somewhere deep inside us the potential is there. Same goes for the darker sides of our characters. Both the best and worst of us gets poured into our characters. I find it to be a satisfying release of emotions to [More]

Surviving Letters of the Countess of Salisbury

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Countess of Salisbury We all know the tragic end of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury. If you are new to Tudor history I'd highly recommend reading the guest article by Alan Freer called, "The Last Plantagenet" to get yourself better acquainted with her life, and grizzly execution. Margaret was the daughter of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence. George was the brother of both King Edward IV and Richard III. This letter is written by Margaret Pole, Countess of [More]

The Last Plantagenet

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Guest article written by: Alan Freer On the morning of 27th May 1541 an elderly, stately woman walked with dignity, as befitted her birth, from her cell in the Tower of London, in to the yard, and to East Smithfield Green, within the precinct of the brooding castle walls. She had been informed earlier that day that she was to die. Her reply had been to say that no crime had been proved against her. In an effort to play down the event, no wooden scaffold had been built, [More]

The Tower of London – the Most Haunted Castle in England

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The Tower of London could be called the most haunted place in London as it has seen hundred of executions. Some justified, some not. Many of the prisoners who entered the Tower only left to go to their execution. Most executions were public events and were well attended. Seems a little morbid now. Traitors could expect to be hung, drawn and quartered - the most inhumane of executions - the prisoner was hung and cut down still alive, their heart and entrails removed and [More]

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

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My fascination with Margaret Pole began after watching The Tudors television series.  Margaret Pole's role in the show was minimal and only emphasized her death.  I immediately started to do research on Margaret Plantagenet - to learn about her life. I also thoroughly enjoyed Philippa Gregory's book, The King's Curse, which is historical fiction about her life. Margaret Plantagenet was born in August 1473, to George Plantagenet, Duke Clarence and his wife Is [More]