London’s Victoria and Albert Museum has been in touch with me to let me know about a couple of courses that may be of interest to Tudor Society members. They have just launched their new programme of adult learning courses for 2019-20, which includes the courses: “The Later Stuarts: Court and Country”, and “London Life and Times: Medieval to Modern”.
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 12th June 1530, Queen Catherine of Aragon got rather cross with her husband, King Henry VIII, who, according to her, was leading an evil life and being a bad example.
What led to Catherine’s strong words on this day in 1530? What exactly was Henry VIII doing to upset his wife?
Find out in today’s video.
[Read More...]
Happy wedding anniversary to King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon! Well, Catherine would be celebrating, as she viewed herself as the king’s true wife right until the end.
On this day in Tudor history, seventeen-year-old King Henry VIII married twenty-three-year-old Spanish princess, Catalina de Aragón, or Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow, at a private ceremony at Greenwich.
Find out more about what led to this marriage in today’s video:
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 10th June 1540, King Henry VIII’s right-hand man and ‘fixer’, Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, was arrested.
In today’s “on this day” video, I share an account of what happened on that day, the day when Henry VIII’s loyal servant fell from power and was escorted to the Tower of London.
[Read More...]
As Friday was the anniversary of the beginning of the Field of Cloth of Gold, that historic meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. I thought I’d test your knowledge of these two Renaissance kings.
It’s a true or false quiz, so not too hard! I do hope you enjoy it.
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 8th June 1536, the sixth Parliament of King Henry VIII’s reign met.
This Parliament passed the Second Act of Succession, which removed Mary and Elizabeth from the succession and declared them illegitimate.
I explain what happened at this Parliament and also share another “on this day” event from the very same day in 1536.
[Read More...]
This day in Tudor history, 7th June 1520, was the first day of that historic meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France.
The meeting was known as the Field of Cloth of Gold and although it was a diplomatic meeting, it was a chance for these two Renaissance kings to show off to each other and try to outdo each other with their wealth, costumes and even strength.
Find out more about this famous meeting in today’s video.
[Read More...]
This week’s Claire Chats video talk is a special one. Tim and I have just had historical novelist Wendy J Dunn staying with us here in Spain for a few days, which was lovely. Verity and I shared a wonderful day with Wendy at Granada’s Alhambra, which was very special as Wendy’s last novel was all about Catherine of Aragon’s early life which, of course, included time at the Alhambra.
I thought I’d take advantage of Wendy and interview her for my YouTube channel and for the Tudor Society, with a slightly different focus for each interview. Here is the Tudor Society one…
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 6th June 1522, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII made a grand entry into the city of London.
Now these two rulers did not just enter the city with music and cheering, they did it in style with pageantry – 9 spectacular pageants in all! The Tudors really knew how to celebrate!
Find out more about the pageants in today’s video.
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 5th June 1604, Tudor physician and naturalist Thomas Moffet, or Muffet, physician and naturalist, died at Wilton in Wiltshire.
The fact that he is known for a poem on silkworms and his daughter is linked to the famous nursery rhyme piqued my interest and I talk more about him and his poem in today’s video.
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 4th June 1550, sweethearts Robert Dudley and Amy Robsart tied the knot at the royal palace of Sheen at Richmond in a service attended by King Edward VI.
This marriage was a love-match, but it lasted just ten years, ending with Amy’s death in 1560, a death which is surrounded by controversy.
I share an excerpt from my book “On This Day in Tudor History” in today’s video.
[Read More...]
Thank you to everyone who came to Friday’s live chat and a big thank you to Tamise Hills for answering all of our questions on this fascinating Tudor queen. It was a fun chat.
If you missed the chat, you can have a read of the questions and Tamise’s answers in this transcript:
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 3rd June 1535, Sir Thomas More, King Henry VIII’s former Lord Chancellor and good friend, was interrogated in the Tower of London by members of the king’s council.
These men were trying to get More to give a definitive answer on whether the statute of supremacy was lawful, seeing as he’d refused to take the oath of supremacy.
What happened on their visit and what was said afterwards?
Find out in today’s video.
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 2nd June 1572, thirty-four-year-old Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was beheaded on Tower Hill for high treason.
Norfolk was a Knight of the Garter, he’d served as Earl Marshal and Lord High Steward, he’d presided over Queen Elizabeth I’s coronation, so what had led him to this sticky end and how was he involved with Mary, Queen of Scots?
Let me tell you a bit more about this Tudor man and what led him to end his life on the scaffold.
[Read More...]
This week’s Sunday brain-teaser is a crossword testing your knowledge of Tudor events that took place in the month of June. Don’t worry, though, it’s fun!
So, open and print out the crossword puzzle by clicking on the link or pricture below, grab your favourite snack and beverage, make yourself comfortable and let’s begin. Good luck!
[Read More...]
On this day in Tudor history, 1st June 1533, Whitsunday, Queen Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony performed by her good friend, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.
It was a long day for the pregnant queen, starting with a procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, then there was the actual coronation, where Anne was crowned with St Edward’s crown, and finally the huge coronation banquet.
Find out exactly what Anne Boleyn did on that day in 1533 in today’s video.
[Read More...]
In this special video, I talk about the four Tudor queens – Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey and Mary, Queen of Scots – whose lives ended on the scaffold, and some of the places connected to them.
I find that by visiting places linked to historical people we get a special link to them. We can walk a little in their footsteps. We can look at things they knew, touch walls they touched… It’s special.
I can’t wait to visit these places and to have that connection with these fascinating women. I’m quite literally counting the days!
You can join me and Philippa on the Executed Queens Tour in July 2019. There are 4 places left!
[Read More...]
This month’s expert is Roland Hui talking on one of his favourite historical topics – queenship, and more specifically the Six Wives of Henry VIII. Roland’s knowledge and expertise come through in this video and we know you’ll enjoy learning things you didn’t know before, as well as chatting with Roland later in the month in the Chatroom. Roland’s live chat session is scheduled for 29th June.
[Read More...]