History

Tales of the Tower: Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

She was born at a time when England was at the height of the Wars of the Roses and was the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence. Much of Margaret Pole’s early life was marred by tragedy including the death of her Uncle King Edward IV, the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower and the death of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth signalling the demise of the House of York and the rise of the…
Read more
History

The 1940s: The Queen Mother's finest decade

Though the 1930s brought about tumultuous change for the country and for Queen Elizabeth, the 1940s would soon become a decade that nobody would ever forget. It would also be the decade that Elizabeth would be dubbed ‘the most dangerous woman in Europe’ and…
History

Stories of the Stuarts: The Pendle Witches

It is the most famous witch trial of the 17th century, the case of the Pendle Witches. Twelve women were accused of witchcraft, and while one died, eleven went to trial. One was tried and found guilty at York while ten of the ‘witches’ were tried at Lancaster.
History

The story of the Princes in the Tower

The mystery surrounding the fate of young brothers, Edward V of England and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York is still one that stands today. Many believe that the boys were murdered and continue to haunt rooms in the Bloody Tower. The Bloody Tower is also home to the ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh and along with his famous sightings, Coldstream Guards claimed to have heard two young kids in 1990…
Read more
History

Tales of the Tower: Anne Boleyn

Royal Central’s Halloween season begins with a story of adultery, beheadings, and ghostly apparitions. Here is Anne Boleyn’s Tale of the Tower. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I, but ultimately Anne Boleyn met her fate…
History

Sceptre gifted by Henry V to City of London after Battle of Agincourt goes on display

It’s just 17 inches tall, but it has a world of history embedded in its jewels. The beautifully bejewelled sceptre given in thanks by King Henry V of England to the City of London for the funding of his forces against the French at the Battle of Agincourt, fought in 1415, will go on display. It will be the first time in its 600-year-old history that the sceptre will go on display. It was…
Read more
History

Monarchy Rules: a look at James II

James was not born to be a King. He was the third, but second surviving son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria, born on 14 October 1633. Though he was styled as Duke of York from birth, he was not formally created so until 1643. His father was executed on 30 January 1649 but…
FeaturesHistory

The English Queens of France

Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, married King Louis XII of France on October 9th 1514 On this day, 501 years ago, Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, married the French king, Louis XII.  The spectacular ceremony in Abbeville in Northern France transformed Mary into the…
History

Richard III attractions that should definitely be on your bucket list

It may have been the site where King Richard III lost his life, but Bosworth Battlefield has been labelled as one of the world’s top 25 places to see before you die. It makes the bucket list of the best sights in the 21st century put together by the internationally renowned Smithsonian Institution and is not alone in the Richard III themed category, it sits alongside the Bosworth Battlefield…
Read more