The Tudor Society
  • Elizabeth of York, Queen of Hearts

    A portrait of Elizabeth of York, queen consort of Henry VII

    On this day in Tudor history, 11th February 1466, Elizabeth of York was born at Westminster Palace.

    She was the daughter of a king, the sister of the Princes in the Tower, the wife of Henry VII, the mother of Henry VIII, and the grandmother of Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I and James V. Her bloodline shaped the future of England, but she’s often overshadowed by the powerful men and women she was related to.

    But Elizabeth was no passive figure. She was a key part of dynastic politics, and her marriage helped end the Wars of the Roses. Today, I’m exploring her remarkable life, her role in uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York, and why she truly deserves to be remembered as the Queen of Hearts.

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  • Henry Neville, 5th Earl of Westmorland, his magic ring and his murderous plotting

    Arms of Henry Neville

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th February 1564, Henry Neville, 5th Earl of Westmorland, died—but not before leaving behind a legacy of scandal, treason, and… magic?

    In 1536, at just 11 years old, Henry Neville, who was the eldest son of Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland, and Catherine Stafford, and the grandson of the executed Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was taken hostage during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a major Tudor rebellion. His captors used him as a bargaining chip to force his father’s compliance—quite the dramatic start to his life!

    By 1546, Neville had racked up huge gambling debts and was desperate for a way out. So what did he do? He purchased a magical ring that supposedly summoned angels to help clear his debts! Spoiler alert: it didn’t work, and he landed in Fleet Prison.

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  • Mary, Queen of Scots, prepares to die

    Mary, Queen of Scots

    On this day in Tudor history, 7th February 1587, a fateful message arrived at Fotheringhay Castle – the execution warrant for Mary, Queen of Scots. After years of imprisonment and political intrigue, her fate was sealed. But how did Mary react when she was told she would die the next morning? What did she do in her final hours?

    Today, we’re travelling back in time to Mary’s last evening on earth—her defiant words, her final prayers, and the preparations she made for her death. This is the story of a queen who faced the axe with courage and unwavering faith.

    Mary, Queen of Scots, had been tried for treason in October 1586 after being implicated in the Babington Plot, a plot to depose Queen Elizabeth I and to replace her with Mary. She had been found guilty and sentenced to death, but Elizabeth would not sign the execution warrant, not wanting the responsibility of killing an anointed queen. However, Mary’s gaoler, Sir Amias Paulet, would not agree to quietly doing away with Mary, and after pressure from her council and petitions from Parliament, Elizabeth finally signed the warrant, although she later said she had asked for it not to be sent to Fotheringhay yet.

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  • The Royal Family’s connection to the Boleyns and Tudors, and beyond

    A portrait of a woman thought to be Mary Boleyn from the collection at Hever Castle

    Today marks the anniversary of the accession of the late Queen Elizabeth II on 6th February 1952. She was the longest reigning monarch in British history, ruling from this day in 1952 until her death in September 2022. As we reflect on her remarkable reign, I thought it would be fitting to explore an intriguing piece of history—the present royal family’s descent from both the Tudors and the Boleyns.

    Yes, you heard that right! King Charles III has Tudor blood AND Boleyn blood.

    But wait—how is that possible? The last Tudor monarch, Elizabeth I, died childless, and as we all know, she was Anne Boleyn’s only surviving child. So where does the royal family’s Tudor-Boleyn connection come from?

    Let’s unravel this fascinating royal lineage…

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  • Sir Edward Stafford – A diplomat and suspected spy

    William Cecil, Philip II, Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Walsingham

    On this day in history, 5th February 1605, Sir Edward Stafford, Elizabethan diplomat, MP, and suspected spy, died. His life was one of political manoeuvring, intrigue, and scandal—his story a fascinating mix of loyalty, ambition, and betrayal.

    So, who was Edward Stafford, and why does his name carry the stain of espionage?

    Born in 1552, Edward had impressive Tudor lineage. His mother, Dorothy Stafford, was the granddaughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (executed by Henry VIII), and also the great-granddaughter of George, Duke of Clarence, who was allegedly drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine on the orders of his brother, Edward IV.

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  • A Royal Wedding – Anne of York and Thomas Howard

    Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk

    On 4th February 1495, Anne of York, daughter of Edward IV and sister of Queen Elizabeth of York, married Thomas Howard, the future 3rd Duke of Norfolk, at Westminster Abbey. But this was far more than just a romantic union—it was a strategic marriage with deep political significance.

    It was an unlikely match. Anne was the sister-in-law of King Henry VII, and Thomas Howard’s father and grandfather had fought against Henry at the Battle of Bosworth Field just ten years earlier.

    So why did Henry VII allow this marriage? And what did it mean for the future of the Howard family?

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  • Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, a victim of Henry VIII’s paranoia

    Portrait of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, aged 42

    What happens when ambition, power, and royal paranoia collide? Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Tudor England—a man with royal blood and a life of privilege. But his story ends with betrayal, scandal, and a rigged trial.

    Was he a victim of Henry VIII’s fear of rivals, or was there truth to the charges against him?

    Edward Stafford was born on this day in Tudor history, 3rd February 1478, at Brecon Castle, a member of the powerful Stafford family. His father, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, had rebelled against Richard III and paid the ultimate price—execution in 1483. Young Edward’s life began in turmoil, but it seemed his fortunes would improve when Henry VII came to the throne in 1485.

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