Palaces & Buildings

Archaeologists at Tower of London find ‘ritual protection’ to ward off evil

The Tower of London is perhaps England’s best known and premier fortress and has been for almost a thousand years, but now evidence has been found that its inhabitants sometimes felt far from safe. Recent research has been carried out by archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology in the residence of the Queen’s representative in The Queen’s House. Archaeologists have…
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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…
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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…
FeaturesHistory

Mistress and Duchess: Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenberg (1667-1743)

Readers will already know of the strong links between Handel and King George I, which have been already widely explored. What is less known, however, is the influence of another figure in the background who though certainly less talked about, in her lifetime enjoyeda considerableinfluence thatcannot be overestimated. This figure is Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenberg, the…
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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…
Palaces & Buildings

The Virgin Queen’s connections to a West Midlands home

The Manor House in Knowle, Solihull once had Elizabeth I as an overnight guest and the house can now be yours for the small sum of £2,000,000. The “Darnley Portrait” of Elizabeth I of England The house is suited for quite a large family and has on the ground floor a reception hall, drawing room, dining room, billiard room, library, garden room, cloakroom with a toilet…
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