FeaturesHistory

Royal History Mystery: when did Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn get married?

Today we’re looking at a royal history mystery involving, perhaps, the most controversial queen consort England ever had. When did Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn get married? The story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is long and convoluted and has been studied, dissected and theorized about for centuries. There are as many interpretations as there are scholars who study the history. Suffice to…
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FeaturesHistory

A Week in Royal History

In a week when we got our first news of royal history to come (yes, I’m talking baby Sussex here) there were also plenty of tidbits from times gone to whet the appetite of even the hungriest fan of the royal past. From once in a lifetime exhibitions to the promise of…
FeaturesHistory

The end of the House of Tudor

On 24 March 1603 Queen Elizabeth I breathed her last and – left with no legitimate heir – the House of Tudor came to an end after more than 100 years on the English throne. Beginnings The House of Tudor was founded in 1485 when Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III in…
British Royals

Henry VIII-centered drama "Wolf Hall" leads Bafta nominations

Wolf Hall, the historical drama based on Thomas Cromwell’s rise in King Henry VIII’s court, leads the Bafta nominations with a total of four nominations. The series has been nominated in Best Drama, Mark Rylance, who played Cromwell has been nominated for Leading Actor, while Claire Foy’s performance as Anne Boleyn has earned her a nomination for Leading Actress. Anton Lesser…
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Palaces & Buildings

The Ghosts of Windsor Castle

It is The Queen’s weekend home and is apparently her favourite royal residence. But did you know that Windsor Castle is also the home of many royals from years and centuries gone by. In this piece we explore the ghostly goings on at Windsor Castle and just who haunts the…
FeaturesHistory

Monarchy Rules: A look at King Henry VIII

One of Britain’s most colourful King’s and is easily most well known- but not for his heart-warming personality. Henry VIII most extraordinary claim to fame would be six wives and their unfortunate fates. Henry accomplished a lot more in his time as King, like his changes to the English Constitution and separation from the Church of England. Born the 28 June 1491, King Henry ascended…
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History

Monarchy Monday: The Wives of King Henry VIII

Today you may not have to worry about the hazards of being married to a King, but it wasn’t always that way. King Henry VIII’s wives suffered fates that would far outweigh the perks of being Queen! Here is a guide of each of six wives and their unfortunate…
FeaturesHistory

The Execution of a Queen

Anne Boleyn is probably best remembered as the most controversial Queen in British history, which is perhaps not entirely deserved. Even though much is said about her, there are a lot things we don’t know, such as her birthday. Unfortunately for women of that time…
FeaturesHistory

How Elizabeth I used Accession Day celebrations to protect her crown

On 17 November 1558 England’s first undisputed Queen regnant, Mary I, died, paving the way for the accession of her half-sister Elizabeth I. Mary had been a staunch Roman Catholic and she had been determined to bring England back to what she believed to be the true faith. Her short reign and early death ended her ambitions of re-establishing Roman Catholicism in England and she reluctantly…
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