Hello fellow history lover!
This week:
The Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick, founded in 1571 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
Exclusive access and private tour to the Lord Leycester Hospital, now added to ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ Tour Itinerary, in September
Speaker Line up for 2023 Tours
On Tea Time History Chat Live this week, I discussed the wedding of Henry VII to Elizabeth of York, visiting Henry VIII’s flagship The Mary Rose, and Gloucester Cathedral
On History After Dark this week we discussed Oliver Cromwell.
Get on the Priority list for The Anne Boleyn Tour, May 2024!
There’s still time to join Historical Book Club and vote for your preferred books - Join Book Club
The Lord Leycester Hospital
The Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick is steeped in history, with records of the site dating back to the 12th century. The Hospital was founded in 1571 by the Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to provide a home for elderly and disabled veterans, utilising the buildings already in use on the site. Hospital did not mean hospital as we think of it today as providing medical care but rather an institution which provided shelter and food.
Why did he found the hospital? The Earl of Leicester was a leading magnate in Elizabethan England. He was a close friend, confidant, and some think lover, of Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth I had inherited a large homeless problem which had resulted from her father's decision to close the monasteries of England and Wales. To try to help those affected, she issued a royal proclamation for the homeless to receive alms from the government and also created a law that forbade anyone from taking advantage of the destitute by charging them for their lodging. She strongly encouraged local parishes to provide shelter and aid to those in need. Leicester's wish to impress his queen, to whom he considered himself a potential suitor, may have been a large reason behind his decision to establish the hospital. His experience as a military commander, seeing the plight of injured men, may also have played a part.
Today, the hospital is a Grade I listed building and serves as a reminder of the rich history of Warwick.
It is currently closed to the public for a "once in a century" renovation which will ensure that the buildings are here for future generations. As part of the renovations are works to radically improve access for all.
The current Master at the Lord Leycester is Heidi Meyer, spoke to me about the site, its history and what has been discovered and uncovered during the renovations. You can watch the interview, below.
**The Lord Leycester is opening especially for ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ Tour, for an exclusive guided tour by the Master, Heidi Meyer.**
This is not the only exclusive access visit as part of this tour. Later on the same day we will be going to Harvington Hall, while it is also closed to the public, for a guided tour by House Manager, Phil Downing!
Click the button below to go the the tour page for full details.
In case you missed it…
You can learn more about Robert Dudley, and indeed the entire House of Dudley, in my interview with Dr Joanne Paul.
Look at that line up!
On a British History Tours tour you get access to a fantastic line up of historians, and guides. Our groups are kept small, and so you will never have a problem hearing a speaker or guide. We also ensure there is time to ask your own questions, and (of course!) get a photo with them!
In order left to right: (full profiles of the speakers can be found on the tour pages)
Gareth Russell, is on every tour in 2023 as our Tour Historian. Gareth gives evening talks and in-situ talks about places we are visiting. As well as that, during, and after, dinner chats are guaranteed to be informative and amusing with Gareth around!
Dr Estelle Paranque, will be speaking on the final night of ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ tour. She is the author of the must-read dual biography of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, in which she covers the political triangle of those women and Mary, Queen of Scots.
The Tudor Songbook, Jay Britton, will be giving a private performance on all of our tours in 2023. On ‘The Private Life of Anne Boleyn’ and ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ tours she will be singing at our banquet in the Great Hall of Hever Castle!
Lesley Smith, is the most incredible historical interpreter you will ever see. Her research and knowledge of some of the most important women in history is second to none. She will hold an audience as Elizabeth I, at Harvington Hall, and as Mary, Queen of Scots, at Tutbury Castle. How will Elizabeth react when she finds herself in the house of a Catholic family? How does Mary cope with her ongoing imprisonment at Tutbury? Find out on ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ tour.
Kate McCaffrey, Joint Assistant Curator at Hever Castle, will be talking to us about one of Anne’s most private possessions, her Book of Hours and, Kate’s ongoing research on ‘The Private Life of Anne Boleyn’ tour.
Tracy Borman, is a best selling author, historian and broadcaster, specialising in the Tudor period. She will be giving a talk about Anne’s relationship with her daughter, Elizabeth, at Hampton Court Palace, in the room where Jane Seymour gave birth to Edward VI! The talk is taking place on this year’s ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’ (sold out) and on the eve of Tracy’s book’s release.
Dr Jonathan Foyle, was Curator of Historic Buildings at Hampton Court for eight years, and took his PhD on reconstructing Wolsey's Palace. He will be giving his talk on this year’s ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’ (sold out), in our private suite at Hever Castle.
William Mitchell, is a London Blue Badge guide and historical interpreter at locations such as The Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. On the anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s execution, during ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’, he will be taking us around the Tower of London. On ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ tour, William will be taking us into Westminster Abbey and giving us a walking tour of the ‘Lost Palaces of Westminster and Whitehall!’
Before I get to the last one (me) I will make mention of at least 2 other guides whose photos I don’t have yet but are an important part of the British History Tours’ experience. Sarah Slater is a guide at Hampton Court Palace who’s expert knowledge and interesting delivery made her tour of Hampton Court Palace a must repeat on ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’. Phil Downing us the House Manager at Harvington Hall. Phil may very well be an actual Tudor living in the wrong time! His tours, and those of assistant House Manger James Brogan, bring to life the history of this incredible survivor of the Elizabethan age, to life.
Philippa Lacey Brewell, I am Tour Director on every tour in 2023, taking care of everyone and making sure everything goes to plan.
In case you missed it, here’s a short video about ‘The Private Life of Anne Boleyn’ tour, where me and Gareth discuss the itinerary, hotels and his talks.
Book Club - There’s still time to vote!
I talk through the shortlist for this year’s Book Club choices in this video, below.
If you would like to join before the 29th January you will be able to cast your vote on which books we choose for 2023! You are, of course, welcome to join and take part in Book Club at anytime however.
Book Club is just one benefit of being part of my Patreon.
The Historical Book Club Shortlist is:
The Ship of Dreams. The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian era - Gareth Russell
The House of Dudley - Dr Joanne Paul
Blood, Fire & Gold - Dr Estelle Paranque
The Hollow Crown - Dan Jones
Mortal Monarchs, A 100 years of Royal Death - Dr Suzie Edge
The Sisters Who Would be Queen - Leanda de Lisle
The Red Prince - Dr Helen Carr
Elfrida - Dr Elizabeth Norton
James I and The English Witch Hunts - Tracy Borman
The Winter King. The Dawn of Tudor England - Thomas Penn
Houses of Power. The places that shaped the Tudor world - Dr Simon Thurley
The final list, order and schedule for the Book Club virtual meetings will be announced on Monday 30th January.
History After Dark
This week’s topic: Oliver Cromwell
Click on the thumbnail image below to watch.
Tea Time History Chat Live
This week: - Henry VII marries Elizabeth of York at Westminster Abbey, The Mary Rose and her museum, is it worth a visit, Gloucester Cathedral, Sudeley Castle, Interviewing Dr Suzie Edge, and more.
This Wednesday, 25th January, at 1pm. I will be discussing:
Anne Boleyn's Love Letters
The Bones of the Princes in the Tower
Princess Charlotte, and
Possibly the best day ever for a Tudor history lovers and how you can get involved.
Join Me - Set a reminder on YouTube by clicking here.
and finally…
…the 2024 calendar will be announced this Spring but, if you already know that you would like to be on ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’, 16 - 20th May 2024, please email us to get your name on the priority list at office@britishhistorytours.com. Patrons are guaranteed to get 7 days to book a tour before it is released to anyone else.
Until next time!
Philippa x