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. Only one woman was found not guilty. Six of the eleven ‘witches’ on trial came from two rival families in Pendle. Elizabeth…
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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…
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 in the Tower of London on May 19th, 1536. After several years of marriage to King Henry, in 1536 Anne Boleyn was arrested on charges…
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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 not…
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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…
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 Queen of France.  No other English princess held that title after her.  In fact, only one other daughter of a King of England…
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