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
Tudor Era History Articles
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
Brit History: The Ten Worst Britons in History
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue #5 of the Anglotopia Print Magazine in Spring 2017. Support great long-form writing about Britain by subscribing to the Anglotopia Print Magazine. There have been plenty of terrible Britons over time. They robbed, cheated, and murdered. They’ve committed such heinous crimes that they’ve gone down in the history books … [Read more...] about Brit History: The Ten Worst Britons in History
Brit History: The Fiennes Family Through History – From the Tudors to Hollywood
It’s arguable that the name Fiennes is one of the most famous in the United Kingdom, topped only by Windsor. This family line has produced clergy, soldiers, politicians, artists, authors, and more. Today, the family name is famous across just as many disciplines comprising industrialists, actors, musicians, painters, explorers, and photographers. The family name that is so … [Read more...] about Brit History: The Fiennes Family Through History – From the Tudors to Hollywood
Great Events in British History: The English Reformation – A Time of Martyrs
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Anglotopia Print Magazine in 2016. Support great writing about British History and Culture by subscribing to the Anglotopia Magazine. During Henry VIII’s reign, England started on a journey of religious change. The old faith, Roman Catholicism, was pushed aside in favour of a new Protestant Church of England. It was … [Read more...] about Great Events in British History: The English Reformation – A Time of Martyrs
The Monarchs: Henry VII – The First Tudor King
This article originally appeared in the Anglotopia Magazine in 2016. Support great writing about Britain by subscribing to the magazine today! Henry VII secured his right to the throne of England at the famous Battle of Bosworth Field (1485) where his army defeated that of King Richard III and killed him. Henry ended the Wars of the Roses and began the great dynasty of the … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Henry VII – The First Tudor King
The Monarchs: Henry VIII (1509-1547) – The Tyrant Who Married 6 Women and Broke With Rome
Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived. This grim little rhyme was once used by English History teachers to help their students memorize of the sad fates of the six wives of Henry VIII. One of the most infamous monarchs in British history, Henry VIII believed deeply in the idea of the divine right of the sovereign to rule precisely as he pleased. During his … [Read more...] about The Monarchs: Henry VIII (1509-1547) – The Tyrant Who Married 6 Women and Broke With Rome
Great Britons: William Tyndale – The Man Who Translated the Bible Into English
William Tyndale was an English scholar who became a leading figure in Protestant reform in the years leading up to his execution. He is well known for his translation of the Bible into English. He was influenced by the work of Desiderius Erasmus, who made the Greek New Testament available in Europe, and by Martin Luther. Key Facts About William Tyndale Born 1494, died … [Read more...] about Great Britons: William Tyndale – The Man Who Translated the Bible Into English
Brit History: 10 Tudor Era Brits Every Anglophile Should Know About
It would be an understatement to say that the Tudor period was an important one in English history. Following the period of upheaval that was the Wars of the Roses, it seemed like everything was going to be fine, but a brief calm in the storm brought back renewed conflicts that only ended once Elizabeth I was crowned queen. Running from 1536 to 1603, this period of English … [Read more...] about Brit History: 10 Tudor Era Brits Every Anglophile Should Know About
Brit Book Reviews: In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn by Sarah Morris & Natalie Grueninger
by Sarah Morris & Natalie Grueninger The second – and most famous – wife of England’s King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn has proven a deep well of fascination for scholars and fiction readers alike. And thanks to Natalie Dormer’s portrayal on Showtime’s The Tudors, Henry’s femme fatale turned femme damnée, is more popular than ever! If you do an Amazon search for books about … [Read more...] about Brit Book Reviews: In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn by Sarah Morris & Natalie Grueninger
Great British Houses: Hever Castle – The Childhood Home of Anne Boleyn Eventually Owned by American William Waldorf Astor
There are many remarkable and grand houses in England that have been the center stage for life changing historic events throughout time. Hever Castle is one estate on the map that is enriched with history and beautiful architecture. The Castle is located 30 miles south-east of London, in the village of Hever, Kent. Prior to your visit, there are several important facts and … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Hever Castle – The Childhood Home of Anne Boleyn Eventually Owned by American William Waldorf Astor
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
