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William Strachey and Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”
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Easter at the Mary Rose Museum: 6-22 April 2019
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4 April – Mildred Cecil, Lady Burghley – far beyond the race of womankind
Today, I pay tribute to the amazing Mildred Cecil, Lady Burghley, on the anniversary of her death in 1589, by sharing some facts about her.
Mildred was not only the wife of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, she was an accomplished and influential woman in her own right. A truly fascinating Tudor personality.
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3 April – The burial of Lady Margaret Douglas, “a lady of most pious character”
On this day in Tudor history, Lady Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, was buried in a lavish funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Find out about her tomb, and her incredible lineage and links to royals, in today’s video.
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2 April – Edward VI catches smallpox and measles
On this day in Tudor history, 2nd April 1552, King Edward VI recorded in his diary “I fell sick of the measles and the smallpox”.
What do we know about his illness and subsequent recovery? What was smallpox like and how was it treated? Did this bout of illness have any bearing on his future health?
Find out, in today’s “on this day” video.
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April 1 – Henry VIII courts Jane Seymour
On this day in Tudor history, 1st April 1536, the imperial ambassador passed on information he’d received from two separate sources to his master, Emperor Charles V. The news was regarding Henry VIII and his behaviour towards one of his wife’s ladies-in-waiting, a certain Jane Seymour.
Find out exactly what happened, what Henry and Jane were up to, and how long this had been going on, in today’s video.
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Live Transcript – Wendy Dunn – Writing Historical Fiction
Thanks to all those who came to our live chat event with Wendy Dunn, we discussed lots to do with writing Tudor historical fiction, and my highlight was the discussion on getting the best balance in historical phrasing for speech. Fascinating. For all Full Members who missed the chat, here is the transcript.
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The Beauforts – Expert Talk – Nathen Amin
Back by popular demand, after his wonderful talks on King Henry VII, is Nathen Amin! Nathen is author of Tudor Wales, York Pubs, and the bestseller The House of Beaufort, and is currently working on his fourth book, Henry VII and Pretenders to the Tudor Crown.Nathen’s talk is on the Beaufort family and we do hope you enjoy it. Nathen will be joining is in the Tudor Society chatroom on Sunday 28th April to answer your questions on the Beauforts, his books and research.
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31 March – King Henry VIII as King Ahab, Anne Boleyn as Jezebel
On this day in Tudor history, 31st March 1532, Henry VIII was left fuming after Friar William Peto likened him to King Ahab and preached against his quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Friar Peto also made a prophecy that some believe was fulfilled after the king’s death in 1547.
I explain exactly what happened on this day 1532 to make Henry VIII so furious, what Peto said and what happened next.
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Tudor Women Quiz
Test your knowledge of prominent Tudor women with this week’s Sunday quiz. Grab your favourite snack and beverage, make yourself comfortable, and let’s begin. Good luck!
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March 30 – A “pregnant” Mary I makes her will
On this day in Tudor history, Queen Mary I wrote her will. She did it because she believed that she was just about to give birth, and, obviously, childbirth was a risky processes.
Find out more about Mary’s will and what happened with this “pregnancy” in today’s “on this day” video.
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29 March – As foul a lady as the smallpox could make her
On this day in Tudor history, 29th March 1551, Mary Dudley married Henry Sidney. Happy anniversary to Mary and Henry!
Both Mary and Henry served Queen Elizabeth I loyally and for many years, and, unfortunately, Mary suffered a great deal after she nursed the queen through smallpox in 1562.
Find out more about Mary Dudley and Henry Sidney in today’s video.
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Elizabeth I – What did she die of?
In this week’s Claire Chats video talk, Claire looks at Elizabeth I’s death on 24th March 1603, the various theories regarding her cause of death and what the primary sources said about her symptoms.
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Live chat tomorrow – 29 March – with novelist Wendy J Dunn
As you will already know, historical novelist Wendy J Dunn is our March expert speaker. Wendy’s talk is on “The Journey of Writing Historical Fiction” and you can catch her talk at https://www.tudorsociety.com/writing-historical-novels-expert-talk-wendy-j-dunn/ if you haven’t had chance to view it yet.Wendy will be joining us in the chatroom tomorrow, Friday 29th March, to answer your questions on writing historical fiction. One lucky participant will win one of Wendy’s novels. I know there are lots of you who are working on novels, or who want to do so in the future, so now’s your chance to “grill” a novelist. Wendy is also a playwright and poet, and she teaches writing, so a real expert to help us.
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28 March – Anne Boleyn’s chaplain and almoner John Skip
Today is the anniversary of the death of John Skip, Bishop of Hereford, on 28th March 1552.
In today’s “on this day in Tudor history” video, I talk about Skip’s time serving Queen Anne Boleyn as chaplain and almoner, and a controversial sermon he preached just a month before Anne’s fall.
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April 2019 – Tudor Life – Remembering the Dead
What a wonderful magazine we have for members this month. Packed with stunning photos, top class articles and much more under the topic “Remembering the Dead”.
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Acton Court Open Days 2019
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27 March – Reading the Bible in church could get you into trouble
In today’s “on this day in Tudor history” video, I share the story of William Hunter, a nineteen-year-old apprentice whose trouble started when he was caught reading the Bible to himself in church.
William ended up being burned at the stake for heresy on 26th or 27th March 1555 in his hometown of Brentwood Essex.
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26 March – Alchemy, astrology and angels – This man was involved with them all!
On this day in Tudor history, 26th March 1609, John Dee, astrologer, mathematician, alchemist, antiquary, spy, philosopher, geographer and adviser to Elizabeth I, died.
John Dee was a fascinating Tudor man and someone who narrowly missed getting into big trouble for his hobbies. Alchemy, talking with angels, mathematics… what wasn’t he into?
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25 March – Happy New Year!
No, I haven’t gone mad! Today, 25th March, was really the start of the calendar new year in Tudor times. Find out more in today’s video.
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24 March – The end of Queen Elizabeth I, Gloriana!
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March “on this day” events crossword puzzle
How much have you learned from Claire’s “on this day in history” videos this month so far?
Test your knowledge with this fun crossword puzzle on March “on this day” events from the Tudor period. Good luck!
Click on the link or the image below to open the crossword puzzle and print it out.
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23 March – Who’s queen: Catherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn?
On this day in Tudor history, 23rd March 1534, the Pope issued a bull proclaiming Catherine of Aragon to be England’s true queen and Mary the heir to the throne, while the English Parliament declared Anne Boleyn to be England’s rightful queen and her daughter, Elizabeth, the heir. Weird!
In today’s video, I explain what was going on and what the 1534 Act of Succession stated.
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22 March – Catherine Brandon (Catherine Willoughby), Duchess of Suffolk, a woman with spirit!
Today is the anniversary of the traditional birthdate of Catherine Willoughby (married names: Brandon and Bertie), Duchess of Suffolk, the woman who married the king’s best friend, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, when she was just fourteen.
Catherine is known for her patronage of the Reformed faith and Reformers, but in today’s video, I share some facts about this fascinating woman, including a story about her little dog.
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Burning at the stake
I’ve talked about quite a few burnings at the stake recently as part of my “on this day in Tudor history” series of videos and this inspired me to look into the history of the punishment and to find out why it was used and how it was used.
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21 March – This unworthy right hand! The end of Thomas Cranmer
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Cuthbert Mayne, the first seminary priest to be martyred
Today is the anniversary of the baptism of Cuthbert Mayne (Main, Maine), Roman Catholic priest and martyr, on 20th March 1544. He was baptised on the Feast of St Cuthbert in Youlston in North Devon.
Cuthbert Mayne has gone down in history as the first seminary priest to be martyred. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Launceston on 30th November 1577.
Let me tell you a bit more about this man…
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A shout out for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Tudor Society love all things Tudor. Recently we’ve had an article in our monthly magazine from Nic Fulcher, a costume historian at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and we’ve also had our roving reporter visit the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. We’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – here’s some information.
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20 March – Forgetting God to love a king – Thomas Seymour’s end
On this day in Tudor history, 20th March 1549, Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron of Sudeley, was executed by beheading on Tower Hill.
In today’s video, I talk about his execution and share the poem he wrote in his last days. I also give details of how some of Seymour’s contemporaries viewed him.
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19 March – Romeo and Juliet author dies in a shipwreck
On this day in Tudor history, 19th March 1563, Arthur Brooke, the man who wrote the very first version of the story of Romeo and Juliet in English, died in a shipwreck off the coast of Sussex.
Find out more about Arthur Brooke and his version of Romeo and Juliet in today’s video.
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