On this day in Tudor history, 7th May 1560, English troops suffered a heavy defeat at the siege of Leith.
What was this siege all about?
And who described their dead bodies as a fair tapestry?
[Read More...]On this day in Tudor history, 7th May 1560, English troops suffered a heavy defeat at the siege of Leith.
What was this siege all about?
And who described their dead bodies as a fair tapestry?
[Read More...]Today we have a great review from Lil where she shares her favourite non-fiction Tudor history book with us. Her review is of Elizabeth: Apprenticeship by David Starkey.
[Read More...]The Tudor Society has been here for almost seven years now. In 2014, Tim and Claire founded this incredible society for people to come together and share their interest and knowledge with each other. Perhaps you have been with us since the start or joined us only recently, but one thing that we know is that the Tudors are loved all over the world.
On this day in Tudor history, 6th May 1471, Edmund Beaufort was executed at Tewkesbury following the Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury during the Wars of the Roses.
How did he come to be executed when he was in sanctuary, and why was this the end of the Beaufort line?
What did this mean for the Lancastrians?
[Read More...]On this day in Tudor history, 5th May 1586, courtier Sir Henry Sidney died.
Find out more about Sidney, his offices and family, and where his body and heart were buried, in this #TudorHistoryShorts video.
This artists in the spotlight, we are looking at the beautiful art of Sheena. She lives in the UK in Kent, known as the Garden of England. We asked her about the Tudor related cross stitch mini cushions which she makes.
Last week, I did the first of our monthly Facebook Lives in the Tudor Society members-only group. I spoke on Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, a relationship that intrigues me.
I know not everyone is on Facebook, so here’s a replay for you.
[Read More...]Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, who has gone down in history as Bess of Hardwick, was buried on this day in 1608. Find out a bit more about this fascinating Tudor lady in this #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]On this day in history, 3rd May 1415, a woman who was the matriarch of the House of York and mother of two kings, was born. Her name was Cecily Neville.
Find out about this Duchess of York, and how she is linked to royalty and the Tudors, in this #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]On this day in Tudor history, 2nd May 1536, in the reign of King Henry VIII, the king’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was arrested. What happened on that day? What was she told? Where was she taken?
Find out in this #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]Our May expert speaker is stonecarver Lucy Churchill who has done extensive research on two Anne Boleyn-related items – the 1534 medal, which she has reconstructed, and the choirscreen of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.
[Read More...]How much do you know about the artists that worked at the Tudor court?
Test your knowledge with this fun crossword puzzle.
[Read More...]Today is May Day – Happy May Day!
Did the Tudors celebrate May Day? If so, what did they do?
Find out in this #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]The 29th of April is the anniversary of the birth of William Dacre, the only man to be acquitted in Henry VIII’s reign. Quite an accomplishment!
Find out about this Tudor baron…
[Read More...]Today is International Dance Day, a global celebration of dance. The International Dance Day website explains “This day is a celebration day for those who can see the value and importance of the art form “dance”, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realised its potential for economic growth.”
To celebrate this day, we thought we’d share an article on 16th century dance. This article by Jane Moulder originally appeared in the February 2015 edition of Tudor Life Magazine.
[Read More...]In this latest #TudorHistoryShorts video, I talk about eighty-two-year-old priest Walter Mylne, who sadly lost his life on 28th April 1558.
[Read More...]On this day in Tudor history, 27th April 1536, there was talk about Henry VIII setting aside Anne Boleyn. Who was approached for advice and what did he say?
Find out what was going on at the royal court…
[Read More...]Were the Tudors an envious lot? Well, in this magazine you’ll soon find out…
[Read More...]Today is the anniversary of Mary Boleyn’s daughter’s marriage in 1540.
Mary’s daughter was Catherine Carey and you can find out about her in this #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]Thanks to all those who came to our chat with Nicola Tallis. We had an lively and informative discussion and so many questions were asked and answered by Nicola.
[Read More...]Happy St Mark's Day!
How as St Mark's Day celebrated in Tudor times?
Find out in this #TudorHistoryShorts video...
As Friday was the anniversary of the traditional birthdate of the Bard, William Shakespeare, on 23rd April 1564, I thought we’d celebrate by testing your knowledge of his plays.
How much do you know about Shakespeare’s plays?
Find out with this fun wordsearch!
Warning: the words can go in any direction!
[Read More...]Happy St Mark’s Eve! St Mark’s Eve was time to divine your future husband in medieval and Tudor times, but how were you supposed to do that?
Find out how to do it in this #tudorhistoryshorts video.
[Read More...]Today is World Book Day! It’s a day where we celebrate books and encourage everyone to read. For the UK and Ireland this is not the case, they are the only ones to celebrate it on a different day. For this occasion, we are treating you with an amazing interview with the lovely Adrienne Dillard. Her book ‘The Raven’s Widow’ will be coming out soon as an audio book!
The Raven’s Widow is a novel about Anne Boleyn’s sister-in-law, Jane Boleyn. Written by Adrienne Dillard, who works in the financial services by day, but spends all her free time on writing and researching the women of Henry VIII’s court. We talked to Adrienne about her book, Tudor fascination and why she believes Jane suffered from a mental illness.
23rd April is St George’s Day, but when did he become England’s patron saint and why?
Who was the patron saint before him?
Find out…
[Read More...]This Friday we have a super special treat for you – an in-depth interview with Jon Cooper by Catherine Brooks. In this talk, we learn about the dramatic changes in warfare that were happening during the Tudor period and how defensive fortifications had to change. Jon focuses on trace italienne fortifications as used at Haddington.
[Read More...]Isabella I of Castile, one of Spain’s famous “Reyes Catolicos” (Catholic monarchs) was born on 22nd April 1451.
Hear a few facts about this famous Spanish queen and how she relates to the Tudors…
[Read More...]Shera is next on our list full of amazing artists! She is 31 years old and is based in California where she makes the most beautiful jewellery. We asked her a couple of questions about her Tudor bracelet collection.
On this day in Tudor history, 21st April 1509, Henry VII died and his son came to the throne as Henry VIII.
What did the people think of this news?
In this #TudorHistoryShorts, I share two contemporary sources about Henry VIII’s accession.
[Read More...]n this day in Tudor history, on 20th April 1534, in the reign of King Henry VIII, prominent Londoners were called to swear a special oath.
Just what was the Oath of the Act of Succession? What were people swearing to?
Find out in this latest #TudorHistoryShorts video…
[Read More...]