Hello Fellow History Lover!
This week:
Catherine Howard gets the notice she deserves in our brand new tour for 2025!
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 on this week’s livestream - Click Here
Last time:
Is there really anything new to learn about Anne Boleyn?!
New tour announcement to come this Wednesday!
Click Here to read last week’s newsletter.
Catherine Howard - it’s time!
A little while ago I did an interview with historian and biographer of Catherine Howard, Gareth Russell. We decided to record an interview comparing and contrasting the events of 1536 and 1541, the downfalls of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s second and fifth wives, respectively. Both women are summarised in the famous rhyme as ‘beheaded’ yet that is where the similarities end and by seeing the differences, clarity can be gained about the circumstances of each tragic downfall.
Gareth’s biography of Catherine, ‘Young and Damned and Fair’ challenges some of the oft repeated summaries of Catherine’s life and personality. Tracy Borman described it as “a stunning achievement in which Catherine is given a makeover so complete that she is virtually unrecognizable from the hopelessly naive girl of traditional history books.” It is well worth a read!
I am very pleased to be able to dedicate a whole tour to Catherine’s story, visiting places she would recognise from her own tour of 1541 with her husband Henry VIII. Gareth Russell will accompany the tour for its entire duration and will deliver a series of talks to examine Catherine’s story in the detail she deserves.
I announced this tour during this week’s Tea Time History Chat Live and launched Priority Booking to members of my Patreon. As I write this we look like we may be fully booked before the date for general release, which is this coming Wednesday, 5th June! If there are spaces left then I will include that information in next week’s newsletter. To get priority booking, join my Patreon for just £5/month (cancel anytime) - click here.
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was the topic of this week’s livestream as this week we are 643 years forward from it all ‘kicking off’ (is that a British expression?). There are many myths and legends around the so-called Peasants’ revolt, not least that they weren’t peasants. As well as introduce you to the main elements of this uprising I went into what it was all really about, who was involved and the repercussions.
Access the talks given on British History Tours tours!
All of these talks are, or will be, available in my Patreon. Both of Kate McCaffrey’s talks are now available with the others being released throughout the summer. You can join my Patreon for just £5/month by clicking here.
We are also taking bookings for
The Anne Boleyn Tour 2025
with Historian, Gareth Russell
Tour Dates (2 available)
29th April - 3rd May 2025
16th - 20th May 2025
Join me on Wednesday 5th June at 3pm (UK time) on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram for Tea Time History Chat Live! I will be talking about my visits to Pontefract Castle and Fountains Abbey. You can also catch me on History After Dark on Wednesday at 8:15pm when me, Dr Kat and Catherine Ibbotson will be discussing Ada Lovelace.
See you soon!
Philippa
So much exciting stuff going on!