Hello fellow history lover!

As promised, this week I will fill you in on my trip to Hever Castle where I met with the team to go over arrangements for this, and next, year’s tour, and visited the new exhibition, ‘Catherine and Anne. Queens, Rivals, Mothers'. Members of my Patreon have already seen some behind-the-scenes footage and extra photos.

This week:

2024 - The Anne Boleyn Tour, 16th - 20th May 2024
- Gareth Russell is the Tour Historian
- Tracy Borman and Kate McCaffrey confirmed as Speakers
- NOW ON SALE (and already half full)
- Sharing Opportunity! More details below.
New Exhibition at Hever Castle on Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn!
NEW INTERVIEW - ‘Underneath the Covers’ with the Editor of Tudor Times magazine, Deb Roil.
Tea Time History Chat Live’ - click here to watch on Youtube.
Watch my live from Hever Castle - click here
Click Here to get your ticket for ‘The Georgians’ Online History Festival, March 2023
The Georges I - IV, who was the worst? Discussed on History After Dark this week. Scroll down for the link.
The following tours will be running in 2023 only. Take a look at the itineraries and see if you’d like to come along!
- The Private Life of Anne Boleyn Tour, 29th June - 4th July
- The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots Tour, 10th - 15th September

Tea Time History Chat Live

This week I was fresh back from my visit to the new exhibition at Hever Castle which looks at what united, as well as divided, the fortunes and lives of Henry VIII’s first two wives, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

I was met by Head Curator, Alison Palmer and Assistant Curator, Kate McCaffrey, who walked me around the exhibition and also filled me in on exciting plans for the Castle over the next few years.

Kate’s work on Anne Boleyn’s printed Book of Hours (see my interview with Kate about her research by clicking the thumbnail below) led to her discovering that Catherine of Aragon had owned a copy of the same book! That book is owned by The Morgan Library in New York, who have kindly loaned it to the exhibition, until the end of June

The exhibition also has in display a never-seen-before portrait of Catherine of Aragon as well as costumes from famous films such as, Elizabeth I’s coronation gown as worn by Cate Blanchet, and Richard Burton’s Henry VIII costume from ‘Anne of a Thousand Days.’

I talked about my visit to this exhibition and my recent visit to Worcester Cathedral Archives, in the latest ‘Tea Time History Chat Live’

In my next livestream, Wednesday 1st March at 1pm. I will be covering:

Tewkesbury Abbey and a Tudor Merchant House in Tewkesbury
Belvoir Castle

Join Me - Set a reminder on YouTube by clicking here.

Underneath the Covers

Interview with Deb Roil, editor of Tudor Times magazine

Remember that members of the British History Patreon Club get a 10% discount on Tudor Places magazine!

Come along to ‘The Georgians’ Online History Festival

24-26th March 2023

Tickets include access to all talks from eminent historians which will take you into the bawdry, hilarious, shocking, and engrossing world of Georgian Britain and the Hanoverians.

All talks will be available to ticket holders until 30th May 2023.

The Speaker Line up

Tracy Borman - King's Mistress, Queen's Servant: the life and times of Henrietta Howard

Gareth Russell - Abolitionists, Aristocrats and Adventurers. Georgian Ireland and the Birth of the United Kingdom,

Eleri Lynn - Georgian Fashion

Dr Katrina Marchant - Barenucklers. The World of Georgian Barenuckle Boxers.

Antonia Keaney - Saints, Sinners & Scoundrels. The Colourful Characters of Blenheim Palace's Past.

Anne Stott - Princess Charlotte

There are also 2 live events on Sunday 26th March

Discussion Panel

Closing event - Fun Quiz

What's Included

All Historian Talks
Entry into the Free Prize Draw
Live Discussion Panel
Live Quiz to close the Event on Sunday evening
Buy Tickets

The Anne Boleyn Tour 2024

Tickets Now on Sale!

This tour is already over half full so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Fully Escorted Tours | Small Groups As Standard | Financial Failure Protection cover on all Tour Bookings | All Breakfasts and Dinners Included | Admissions, Guided Tours and Speakers

Stay at Anne Boleyn's childhood home of Hever Castle for 4 nights of history and luxury on 'The Anne Boleyn Tour', run by British History Tours.

As part of a small group, you will explore the life and death of Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII, and mother to Elizabeth I. We explore places key to her story and are joined along the way by eminent historians and expert guides, including Tracy Borman and Kate McCaffrey.

Gareth Russell, historian and best-selling author accompanies Philippa, your dedicated Tour Manager, as resident historian and co-host.

Our itinerary includes a visit to Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London where we enjoy exclusive guided tours by expert guides. During our time at Hever Castle you will have the opportunity to dress as Tudor Royalty before getting 'behind the ropes' during an after-hours 'Hidden Hever' tour, followed by a 3-course banquet in Hever Castle's Great Hall!

Enjoy exclusive access to the Astor Wing including the music room, billiard room, lawns, tennis court and outdoor swimming pool!

You will arrive everywhere in comfort and style in our luxury air-conditioned coach, included for the duration of the tour.

All dour details, and information on how to book, can be found on the British History Tours website.

The Anne Boleyn Tour May 2024

Sharing Opportunity

If you are a single female traveller and are interested in sharing a twin room on this tour, please email us at office@britishhistorytours.com.

History After Dark

This week we covered The Georges

Watch History After Dark

Next week I will be back to tell you about my visits to Tewkesbury, scene of the final battle of the Wars of the Roses and Belvoir Castle, real life setting of the events which inspired Tracy Borman’s Witches Trilogy.

Philippa x

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Hever Castle and the new Catherine and Anne…