Explore Anne Boleyn's life in her own home with historians Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell and Kate McCaffrey
19th August 2024 History Travel Newsletter
Hello Fellow History Lover!
I hope you are well! I have so much to share with you that I will spread it out over the next few weeks.
This week:
Interview with Clare Clinton from West Horsley Place - a hitherto unknown home of Henry VIII.
Britain’s Revolutionary Decade with Prof Alice Hunt
Explore the life and death of Anne Boleyn with top historians and stay in her home, Hever Castle
How to spot a fake travel company
Interview with Clare Clinton from West Horsley Place - a hitherto unknown home of Henry VIII
Watch on Youtube or listen on the Podcast
The period no one talks about!
Assumed by many to have been a continuous monarchical state, Britain (although not yet at this time the singular legal entity as it would become) had a period of over a decade without a king…or did it? I was joined by Professor Alice Hunt, author of a new book looking at the period 1649 - 1660 and one of my questions was why is this period, so important and interesting as it is, often overlooked?
Find out her answer:
Is there really anything new to learn about Anne Boleyn?!
You could be forgiven for thinking I must now, after running The Anne Boleyn Tour 6 times, have heard it all about Anne Boleyn. This year I ran the tour twice and continued to learn new things from our historians talks. Research is bringing to light new evidence and perspective on the life and times of the second, and arguably most famous, of Henry VIII’s wives. You can access these talks to, keep reading to find out how.
Kate McCaffrey spoke on both of the tours and gave fascinating insights into the networks and friendships Anne Boleyn had at court and beyond, all revealed through Kate’s ongoing research into Anne’s Book of Hours. Professor James Clark, in his talk ‘Anne’s Religion and Henry’s Reformation’ told us that she came from a line of progressive thinkers when it came to religion and could equally have been influenced by her Boleyn relatives as her time in France. Tracy Borman spoke to our May group about how Anne’s daughter Elizabeth was demonstrably unashamed of her mother. Gareth Russell dispelled the myth that Anne Boleyn had a rags to riches story revealing Anne’s decent from the extremely wealthy and powerful Irish Butler family. In a second talk Gareth went through the many theories on Anne’s downfall in 1536. His thought provoking analysis was a lesson in critical thinking, always asking more questions and learning to change one’s mind!
All of these talks are, or will be, available in my Patreon over this summer and Autumn. You can join my Patreon for just £5/month by clicking here.
The Anne Boleyn Tour 2025
with Historian, Gareth Russell
Tour Dates
16th - 20th May 2025
4 nights at Hever Castle with exclusive use of the Astor Wing
All accommodation
All Breakfasts and Dinners Included
Luxury Coach Travel
Access to Eminent Historians including Tracy Borman and Gareth Russell
Choosing a Travel Company
I am an advocate for history travellers. My tours provide ‘once in a life time’ experiences which, I am very proud to say, people have repeated with me up to 5 times over the past 5 years!
Why book with us?
We Offer Immersive Historical Experiences
Personal Service
Proven Track Record
Customer Endorsement
5-star reviews
over 70% rebooking rate!
Fully compliant with industry standards there to protect the traveller
A number of other tour companies have been brought to my attention recently who are not real travel companies. The implication for travellers is that they are offered no form of protection for themselves or their money.
What you should look out for:
Details of how the company are fully compliant in law with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
This should be clear from their website and booking information. Compliance should not be assumed from stated affiliations. If a company claims to have industry affiliations, take time to look up what those are.
Even if you don’t travel with me, please ask your tour company how they are meeting their requirement under law as there are many companies out there who are sadly disregarding their need to do this. Without this protection your money is not safe should a company go out of business.
This week’s Tea Time History Chat Live is following my guest theme for August and in commemoration of the Battle of Bosworth anniversary on 22nd August, I caught up with Nathen Amin and recorded an interview with him from the sundial memorial at Bosworth Heritage Centre. You can see it at 3pm (UK time) on Youtube and Facebook and can listen on the podcast (Substack will send you a notification if you are subscribed). Members of my Patreon will also be able to access a bonus interview with Nathen where we get into his writing process and how he deals with the haters!
You can also catch me on History After Dark on Wednesday at 8:15pm when me, Dr Kat and Catherine Ibbotson will be discussing Sir Walter Raleigh!
Wishing you a fantastic week!
Philippa