History

Stories of the Stuarts: Louisa Maria Teresa Stuart

Louisa Maria Teresa Stuart was the second child of King James II and his second wife, Mary of Modena. Born on 28th June 1692 at St-Germain-en-Laye, Louisa was referred to as The Princess Royal by her father’s supporters, the Jacobites. James Francis Edward and Louisa Maria Teresa Stuart. The newborn baby was christened as Louisa Maria, Louisa in honour of King Louis XIV in response to the…
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History

Stories of the Stuarts: A Stuart Christmas feast

Christmas is just that time of the year where it is perfectly acceptable to eat and drink as much as you see fit. That theory even stood during the reign of the House of Stuart, probably in a bigger sense than it does today. King Charles I and his family spent several months…
History

Is the mystery of the 'Princes in the Tower' set to be uncovered?

Its one of the biggest mysteries in English history and in fact world history, who was responsible for the death of the two Princes in the Tower? While it seemed to many that the answer to this question would never be known, one Philippa Langley is preparing to crack the greatest of all cold cases. The Princes in the Tower. Philippa Langley is best known as a historian and screenwriter who…
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History

Stories of the Stuarts: Abigail Masham

Abigail Masham was the Daughter of Francis Hill and through relatives, she already had a very close connection to the court of Queen Anne. Abigail’s Mother was the former Elizabeth Jennings, aunt to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, her second cousin was Robert Harley…
History

Stories of the Stuarts: Entertainment at the Stuart Court

The Stuart Court was a very lively place with Music and Masques being the main form of entertainment and during the reign of King Charles I and his Queen, Henrietta Maria, music, poetry, drama and painting flourished at their cultured court. The Court of King Charles I and Henrietta Maria was very cultured. Masques were the greatest of court spectacles, and combined music with dancing, poetry…
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History

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria

Everybody will remember the magnitude of celebrations commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. From the River Thames pageant to the concert outside Buckingham Palace and especially the extended Bank Holiday weekend. Let’s not forget though that…
Insight

The Harry Potter series and its quirky 'connections' with royalty

If, like me, you are a massive fan of all things Harry Potter, then I am sure you would have visited the dedicated Wikipedia site to all things related to the boy wizard and his world. Just recently I visited the site and was surprised at how much thought had been put in to the connections between the magical world and the history of our Royal Family, it truly was astounding and I just had to…
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