Did you know that the first assassination of a head of government by firearm happened in 16th-century Scotland?

On this day in history, 23rd January 1570, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, regent for the young King James VI and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots, met his tragic end in a story of power, betrayal, and vengeance.

Moray, who was about 38 or 39 years of age at his death, was the second eldest of seven – yes, seven – illegitimate sons fathered by King James V of Scotland. The king had nine illegitimate children in all, all born to different mothers. Moray’s mother was Lady Margaret Erskine, daughter of John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine, and wife of Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven. His biographer, Mark Loughlin, notes that the king’s affection for the young Moray and his mother are shown clearly from the generous provision that was made for him, and that the king even consulted the pope regarding a divorce for Margaret so that he could marry her. Sadly for Moray, it didn’t happen. But he did become a powerful man.

Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland, is one of my favourite figures from Tudor history—and for good reason. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and immense tragedy. She lived through one of the most tumultuous periods in English history, lost her husband and children to the axe, and yet, she carried on. Today, on the anniversary of her death, I’m exploring her life and legacy.

Witchcraft… It’s a topic surrounded by myths, mystery, and fear. But how much do we really know about the history of witches and witch trials?

Join me for an exclusive online event exploring the true history of witchcraft! We’ll dive into real cases of witch trials, how witches were portrayed through time, and the social dynamics that led to witch hunts.

On this day in history, in 1613, Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria, died in Spain. She was buried in the monastery of Santa Clara at Zafra.

Jane had a fascinating life, going from being one queen’s close confidante to fleeing another queen’s reign, and leading Catholic exiles abroad. Let me tell you more about her.

Jane was born on 6th January 1538, in the reign of King Henry VIII, at Eythrope in Buckinghamshire. She was the daughter of Sir William Dormer and his first wife, Mary Sidney. Following her mother’s death in 1542, Jane was brought up by her paternal grandmother, Jane, Lady Dormer, and was given a Catholic upbringing, and in 1547, when she was just nine years old, she was admitted into the household of Princess Mary.

On this day in Tudor history, 9 January 1493, Christopher Columbus recorded in his ship’s journal: “On the previous day [8th January 1493], when the Admiral went to the Rio del Oro [Haiti], he said he quite distinctly saw three mermaids, which rose well out of the sea; but they are not so beautiful as they are said to be, for their faces had some masculine traits.”

Mermaids, as you probably know, are mythical creatures whose origin is the siren of Ancient Greek mythology. The original siren was actually a bird with a human head, but the Greeks were depicting the siren as part fish by the classical period. Homer told of the sirens using their beautiful song as a lure, and that has also become associated with the mermaid. By 1493, when Columbus’s crew allegedly saw three mermaids, the mermaid had the head a torso of a woman and instead of legs, a fishtail. They are depicted in this way in medieval manuscripts, and the British Library explains, “Mermaids and sirens also frequently appear in the margins of Psalters as symbols of temptation. In the Luttrell Psalter a siren holds a mirror and a comb, perhaps as a warning against the lure of vanity and luxury.”

What do Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and the Tower of London have in common? Balthasar Guercy, an Italian physician who served both queens—and found himself imprisoned for his beliefs.

Originally from Milan, Guercy rose to prominence at the Tudor court, healing some of the most powerful figures of the day. But in 1543, he was arrested for supporting papal authority, a dangerous stance under Henry VIII’s reign. Facing potential execution, Guercy’s life hung in the balance… until Holy Roman Emperor Charles V stepped in to save him.

Kidnapping, violence, treason… Not exactly what you’d expect from the man behind one of the most influential literary works of Elizabethan England, but George Puttenham’s life was anything but ordinary.

On this day in Tudor history, 6th January 1591, author and literary critic George Puttenham was laid to rest at St Bride’s, Fleet Street. He’d led a life full of scandal. From kidnapping a teenage girl to accusations of high treason and violent disputes, this literary critic’s life reads more like a Tudor crime drama.

Catherine de’ Medici has gone down in history as The Serpent Queen, but did she really poison a queen with deadly gloves, practise the dark arts and keep a squad of seductive female spies?

On this day in Tudor history, 5 January 1589, Catherine de’ Medici, Queen Consort and Queen Regent of France, passed away. Her legacy? A swirl of dark legends, court intrigues, and tales of power, ambition, and tragedy.