On this day in Tudor history, 30th July 1588, the once-mighty Spanish Armada, already damaged by the Battle of Gravelines, was scattered and driven northwards by violent storms. Many in England saw it as divine intervention — a “Protestant Wind” sent by God to defend the realm.
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England’s very first official voyage of exploration to the New World didn’t begin in London—or even under an Englishman’s command. It began in Bristol in 1497 and was undertaken by Italian entrepreneur John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto).
Backed by Henry VII, Cabot’s bold journey in search of Asia, but actually to the coast of North America, marked the quiet beginnings of England’s imperial story—decades before Henry VIII or Elizabeth I ever dreamed of global power…
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In my latest YouTube video, I’ve interviewed bestselling author and historian Toni Mount to celebrate the release of The Colour of Darkness — book 13 in the gripping Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery series.
Toni takes us behind the scenes of her writing process, research into 15th-century London, and the creation of her beloved protagonist, artist and reluctant sleuth Seb Foxley.
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In July 1577, a courtroom in the city of Oxford turned deadly.
Within days of the trial of a Catholic recusant and bookseller, hundreds, including Nicholas Barham, Queen Elizabeth I’s top lawyer, were dead.
No violence. No uprising. Just a hidden killer…gaol fever!
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On this day in Tudor history, 24th July 1594, John Boste was hanged, drawn, and quartered for in Durham.
His crime?
Treason. Simply doing his job… as a priest.
Let me tell you Boste’s story – from gifted Oxford scholar to hunted man of God, betrayed, tortured by Richard Topcliffe himself, and executed for his faith…
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On this day in history, 22nd July 1437 (or 1438), John Scrope, 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton, was born at Bolton Castle in Yorkshire. He was a man who’d back the losing side multiple times, but with his head intact.
He fought at Towton with Edward IV, rebelled against him, supported Richard III, then Henry VII, then backed a royal pretender… yet he survived! He reall was like a cat with nine lives.
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On this day in Tudor history, 20th July 1554, Prince Philip of Spain landed on English soil to marry Queen Mary I, having left Valladolid on 14th May.
He did not travel light. 1000s of soldiers and men sailed with him, including a dancing master – yes, he had his priorities right – and his journey had been marked by processions, fireworks and artillery salutes.
Let me take you behind the scenes of one of the most politically charged royal arrivals in English history.
[Read More...]Set in medieval London, written by Toni Mount from Gravesend Kent, and featuring fascinating characters, including a cross-dressing male prostitute based on a real 14th century sex-worker; this new murder mystery will be launched at Sandwich Medieval Centre on 26th July.
The Colour of Darkness is the thirteenth instalment in the atmospheric Sebastian Foxley series of medieval murder mysteries. These well-researched and well-loved books are based on thorough historic research of London in the 14th and 15th centuries, and readers comment on the detailed historic basis of the stories, many of which actually happened, (but maybe at different times or to different people).
The book launch will be at 12 midday on Saturday 26th July and will be hosted by The Sandwich Medieval Centre, The Quay, Sandwich Kent CT13 9EN.
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I’ve decided to do a series of called “Tudor True Crime” on my YouTube channel, where I’m going to delve into 16th century crimes and look at what exactly happened, and the consequences.
My very first Tudor trie crime is the murder of Thomas Arden of Faversham in 1551, a story which featured, poisoned milk, a pressing iron, a knife, and a group of people determined to finish him off. It really is darker than fiction!
And one of the killers was his own wife, Alice Arden.
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On this day in Tudor history, 16th July 1517, Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and her husband, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, welcomed a daughter into the world, Frances.
This little girl grew up to be Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, and she is often reduced to a footnote in history — simply the mother of the tragic Lady Jane Grey. But who was she really?
In my latest video, I dive into Frances’ life and look at how she’s been maligned by centuries of misrepresentation.
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On this day in Tudor history, 15th July 1497, William Neville was born.
He was a respected courtier and poet, who later found himself accused of something that sounds like it’s straight out of a fantasy novel: trying to make himself invisible!
In my latest “on this day” video, I’m uncovering the rather strange tale of William Neville — from his allegorical poetry and service in Cardinal Wolsey’s household to accusations of treason, sorcery, and near financial ruin…
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In my latest “On This Day” video on YouTube, I’ve headed slightly beyond the Tudor world — north to Scotland — to uncover the story of a young queen who deserves far more recognition than she gets.
On this day in history, 14th July 1486, Queen Margaret of Denmark, consort of James III of Scotland, died at just 30 years old. But her brief life left a permanent mark on British history.
Because of Margaret, Orkney and Shetland became — and remained — part of Scotland. A forgotten dowry, a pledged territory, and a queen who quietly changed the map of the British Isles.
But there’s so much more to her than diplomacy…
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