Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England for a total of nine days. Little more than a teenager when she took over the throne from her cousin, King Edward VI, in 1553. You wouldn’t think that a person who ruled for only nine days would have many interesting facts but sometimes that produces the most interesting stories. We’ve taken a lens to the short and tragic … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Lady Jane Grey
Tudor Era History Articles
Panel with links to Mary Queen of Scots bought for nation in ‘attic sale’
Armorial panels with links to Mary Queen of Scots which were found hidden in castle attics have been acquired for national collections. The oak panels came from a house in Blythe’s Close, in Edinburgh’s Old Town, where Marie de Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, lived from around 1543 to 1554. One of them carries the combined coats of Marie and her husband James V which … [Read more...] about Panel with links to Mary Queen of Scots bought for nation in ‘attic sale’
Throw Her into the Pond! – A History of Witch Hunts in Britain
When Halloween time is upon us, our thoughts turn to monsters, ghosts, goblins, and—of course—witches. Often misunderstood and the subject of religious persecution, real witches are nothing like their fictional counterparts, though that did not stop fear and superstition from leading to accusations of witchcraft aimed at both real witches and nonwitches from the Middle Ages to … [Read more...] about Throw Her into the Pond! – A History of Witch Hunts in Britain
New Royal Mint coin collection takes inspiration from Henry VIII’s royal beasts
King Henry VIII’s heraldic beasts have inspired a new range of coins from the Royal Mint, with the first unveiled at the monarch’s former palace. Hampton Court Palace – where carvings of the beasts still welcome visitors – was the setting for the launch of the £5 Seymour Panther coin, which features an image of the Queen on one side and the animal on the … [Read more...] about New Royal Mint coin collection takes inspiration from Henry VIII’s royal beasts
New High-tech display shows off rare ‘sea monster’ globe dating back 400 years at Petworth
The quirks and wonders of a rare antique globe dating back to the reign of Elizabeth I will be on full view to the public after the artifact was painstakingly moved to a new display. Adorned with fantastical sea monsters and sailing ships, the item was made by mathematician Emery Molyneux in 1592 using “the newest, secretest, and latest discoveries.” The Molyneux globe has … [Read more...] about New High-tech display shows off rare ‘sea monster’ globe dating back 400 years at Petworth
Exhibition Report: Portsmouth – The Mary Rose Museum – New 1545 Experience And So Much To See
The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth has added a new immersive experience. 1545 - When Their World Ended is available for all to enjoy from Monday 26 July 2021. As I last visited the Mary Rose Museum back in 2013, just before it opened, this was a great reason to return. What Is The Mary Rose? The Mary Rose is the world’s only surviving sixteenth-century warship. She was … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Portsmouth – The Mary Rose Museum – New 1545 Experience And So Much To See
Remains of Tudor gardens discovered beneath golf course in Essex
The remains of Tudor and Jacobean gardens have been discovered beneath a golf course. Volunteer researchers noticed that aerial photographs of Belhus Park Golf Course in Thurrock, Essex, appeared to mirror a 1619 pictorial survey of the former estate and a late 17th to early 18th-century painting depicting a bird’s eye view of the property. Their evidence suggested that the … [Read more...] about Remains of Tudor gardens discovered beneath golf course in Essex
Dame Judi Dench to help bring to life the final moments of the Mary Rose
Dame Judi Dench is helping bring history to life at a new immersive experience recreating the final moments of Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose. The Oscar-winning actress introduces the new exhibition, named 1545 after the year it sank, which has launched at the home of the Tudor warship at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The Mary Rose lay undiscovered on the seabed of the … [Read more...] about Dame Judi Dench to help bring to life the final moments of the Mary Rose
Castle Heist: Mary Queen of Scots’s rosary and other items worth more than £1m stolen from Arundel Castle
A set of “irreplaceable” gold rosary beads carried by Mary Queen of Scots to her execution in 1587 are among historic treasures worth more than £1 million stolen in a raid at Arundel Castle. Other items taken in the burglary of the West Sussex castle include coronation cups given by Mary to the Earl Marshal as well as gold and silver items. The display cabinet showing the … [Read more...] about Castle Heist: Mary Queen of Scots’s rosary and other items worth more than £1m stolen from Arundel Castle
BESS AND HER HALL: The Story Bess of Hardwick and Her Amazing House
Hardwick Hall is unique among National Trust properties. Most are monuments to the men of British history (the good ones and the bad ones). Hardwick Hall is a monument to a woman and a very formidable woman at that. Elizabeth Shrewsbury, colloquially known as Bess of Hardwick, wielded power in an age when women did not have that much. Sure, England was ruled by a woman, but … [Read more...] about BESS AND HER HALL: The Story Bess of Hardwick and Her Amazing House
Brit History: The Downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary Stuart had a life of highs and lows, from ascending to the throne as Queen of Scotland to finding herself on the gallows accused of treason. Mary was born as her father lay dying, and after his death, she ruled through regents until she came of age. She was married off to Prince Francis of France (later King Francis II) and returned to Scotland to rule after his death in … [Read more...] about Brit History: The Downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Monarchs: Mary I – Bloody Mary and Her Short Reign
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Issue #11 of the Anglotopia Print Magazine in 2018. Support great long-form writing about British History, Culture, and travel by subscribing to the Anglotopia Magazine. Every subscription helps keep Anglotopia running and provides us to the opportunity to produce articles like this. You can subscribe here. Mary I began her … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Mary I – Bloody Mary and Her Short Reign
Ten Interesting Facts about the Battle of Bosworth Field
At Bosworth Field, the War of the Roses came to a final and bloody end. King Richard III, representing the Yorks, met with Henry Tudor, representing the Lancasters, in a battle that ended thirty-two years of conflict that split England down the middle. It also gave birth to one of the monarchy’s most-influential houses as the Tudors would oversee England own’s participation … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Battle of Bosworth Field
10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire is one of the most incredible abbey ruins I've been to in Britain, and I've been to many. The massive cellarium is worth visiting Fountains Abbey alone - it's a massive space that just goes on and on. Despite it being a ruin, there is still much on site that remains. We highly recommend a visit. Here are 10 interesting facts we gathered from our … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire
The Fiver – Five Royal Nicknames and How They Were Earned
While we don’t tend to grant nicknames to kings and queens today, in ages past, they helped to make monarchs into the stuff of legend. Whether the name was earned by great deeds or other circumstance, it encompasses the totality of his or her legacy. There have been many great nicknames throughout the years, and their stories are as fascinating as the men and women to which … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Royal Nicknames and How They Were Earned
Anglotopia’s Grand Adventure: Castle Combe to York (Via Hardwick Hall) – The Trip Diaries Day 5 – Land’s End to John O’Groats
Now that we had our rental car, we were on our own, and it felt like a new stage in our adventure to drive from Land’s End to John O’Groats had begun. It was a bit strange, being on our own for the first time, but it was great fun. We awoke in lovely, quiet Castle Combe. We wanted to get an early start. The plan was to drive north and visit Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire as our … [Read more...] about Anglotopia’s Grand Adventure: Castle Combe to York (Via Hardwick Hall) – The Trip Diaries Day 5 – Land’s End to John O’Groats
Brit History: The Rise of the British Empire in the Tudor and Elizabethan Age
“The sun never sets on the British Empire” goes the old saying. At one point, the UK’s empire was the largest formal empire on the globe, with colonies on each continent that gave birth to some of the world’s most powerful nations. Today, many of these countries are independent and part of the Commonwealth of Nations. But how did everything start? What was it that drove … [Read more...] about Brit History: The Rise of the British Empire in the Tudor and Elizabethan Age
Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
I visited Ightham Mote on a beautiful summer's day. And that's the last time I'm going to type the name of this place because it's impossible to get right every time. I was attracted to the place because it was a proper moated manor house - and it was a National Trust property, so there would be tea and cake. I'm a sucker for tea and cake at a National Trust property. When I … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
The Monarchs: Lady Jane Grey – The Tragic Nine Day Queen
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue #8 of the Anglotopia Print Magazine in 2018. Support great long-form writing about British Travel, History and Culture by subscribing to the Anglotopia Magazine today. The ‘nine-day Queen’, Lady Jane Grey is one of the most tragic figures in the history of the monarchy. At just 16 years old the pious and learned young … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Lady Jane Grey – The Tragic Nine Day Queen
Great Britons: Christopher Marlowe – Mysterious Elizabethan Playwright
The subject of intense speculation, because so few hard facts are known about him, Christopher Marlowe is credited with developing the blank verse form for theatre, which was then used by William Shakespeare. The son of a Canterbury cobble, Marlowe went to Cambridge on a scholarship and was probably recruited as a secret service agent by the government of Queen Elizabeth. He … [Read more...] about Great Britons: Christopher Marlowe – Mysterious Elizabethan Playwright
Brit Movies: Trailer Released for Mary Queen of Scots Starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie
Wow, we're going to be spoiled for choice for British period Royal dramas over the next few months. The first trailer has been released for Mary Queen of Scots. Saoirse Roan stars as Mary and Margot Robbie stars as Elizabeth I. Both look like they will excel in these roles. The story will cover their complicated and fascinating relationship. Check out the … [Read more...] about Brit Movies: Trailer Released for Mary Queen of Scots Starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie
A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
Hever Castle is one of the most interesting places I've visited in my travels around England. The house is most famous as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the woman Henry VIII wanted to marry and thus caused Britan's break from Rome. It has had a long association with the Boleyn family. But it also had a double life as it came to prominence again in the early 20th century … [Read more...] about A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
Brit History: An Introduction to The Dissolution of the Monasteries
It was a definite turning point in English history. King Henry VIII, unsatisfied that Pope Clement VII had refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, worked with his chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, and Parliament to break away from the Catholic Church and form the Church of England. This new church would not answer to Rome, but to the Crown, meaning that Henry … [Read more...] about Brit History: An Introduction to The Dissolution of the Monasteries
Brit History: The Enduring Legacy of the Tudors
In one of the most important moments in British history, everything changed with King Richard III’s defeat by Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Henry was subsequently crowned King Henry VII and went about consolidating his power through his marriage to Elizabeth of York, combining the two warring houses into one Tudor Dynasty. With this action, Henry would … [Read more...] about Brit History: The Enduring Legacy of the Tudors
Top 10 Britain: Ten Shakespearean Locations Every Fan of the Bard Should Visit
It’s a bit of an understatement to say that William Shakespeare was one of the most influential writers of Western Civilization. He’s credited with introducing more than 1,700 words to the English language, written 154 sonnets, and crafted 37 plays that have stood the test of time and become a part of the world’s culture. Needless to say, with that kind of impact, Shakespeare … [Read more...] about Top 10 Britain: Ten Shakespearean Locations Every Fan of the Bard Should Visit
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