History Travel and Talks
Sharing Opportunity on 2023 tours
I trust you have had a fabulous week and are ready for some history!
Keep reading to find out. 😀
In this week’s newsletter:
I’ll be telling you about two talks I attended,
where you can access the same speakers I saw,
my discovery of an ancient abbey hiding in plain sight,
your chance to take attend a history festival, wherever you are in the world, and
a sharing opportunity on the ‘On Progress with Anne Boleyn’ tour in 2023!
Historians Live Talks!
It is History and Literary Festival season here in the UK where all history enthusiasts have the opportunity to listen to historians and authors live, have an opportunity to ask questions, and meet them as they do book signings.
I attended two this week, Dr Joanne Paul and Dr Estelle Paranque and shortly I will let you know how you can also access these brilliant historians.
Dr Joanne Paul - The House of Dudley
Joanne’s book, The House of Dudley, tells the story of the family who was consistently by the side of the Tudor monarchy from beginning to end. It was by no means a straightforward journey the Dudley line died out around the same time as their powerful Tudor patrons.
Beginning with Edmund Dudley, the man who through many questionable means gathered incredible wealth for Henry VII. Henry VIII had no issue using Edmund as a scapegoat, having him executed as a traitor, whilst enjoying spending the money accrued in the Royal coffers. Edmund’s son John proved himself as a capable and brave soldier and restored the family’s fortunes before backing the ‘wrong’ side in the Lady Jane Grey vs Mary I succession crisis resulting in him being found guilty of treason and executed as his father had been. His son, Robert Dudley rose to the heights of favourite of his Queen, Elizabeth I, despite his family being known as one of ‘traitors’. Was this why she could never marry him? Did this relationship result in neither of them dying with an heir?
I thoroughly recommend Joanne’s book for the full story and a new angle on the Tudor monarchy. Buy the Book (links to Amazon)
Want to ask Joanne your own question about the Dudley family and their part in Tudor history?
You can! I will be interviewing Dr Joanne Paul for the British History YouTube channel soon and members of my Patreon Club will be able to submit their own questions to Joanne. Join Patreon now, only £5 per month.
Joanne was talking at St Mary’s Church in Warwick where Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester is buried inn the Beauchamp Chapel, next to his wife Lettice Knollys. This is the tomb I was stood in front of in the photo at the beginning of this newsletter 😀.
Dr Estelle Paranque - Blood, Fire & Gold: a biography of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici
Estelle’s new book, with its new perspective on Elizabeth I’s reign, will teach you more about a Queen who you perhaps thought you knew all about whilst introducing us to another Queen who we hear much less about, Catherine de Medici. One was a Queen regnant, the other a Queen Mother. One drew her power from being unmarried, the other from being a mother.
Elizabeth and Catherine were powerful contemporaries, pivotal in the direction of 16th-century European politics. They never met and yet had a great influence on each other.
I had the privilege of interviewing Estelle recently (you can watch the interview, below) and it was wonderful to meet her in person. You can meet Estelle in person too! She will be speaking on ‘The Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots’ Tour in September 2023, at Hever Castle. Click Here to find out more about the tour, our small group guarantee and financial protection insurance.
Patrons were able to submit their own questions to Estelle, which are included in the extended, ad-free episode. Join now to see ad-free, extended interviews and to have the opportunity to ask historians questions - click here.
Buy Estelle’s Book on Amazon.
Stuart Summit History Festival
History Festival season is such a great opportunity to get access to historians and listen to them talk about their work. This is also a key feature of all my tours BUT I have been busy working on extending this opportunity to people who are not able to attend a tour.
So, we bring to you our first online History Festival!
The Stuart Summit will bring you six talks from eminent historians on a variety of subjects covering the Stuart era, a live historian panel and a closing live streamed, interactive quiz!
Gareth Russell - Charles II: The Party King. The Politics of Promiscuity
Leanda de Lisle - Henrietta Maria: The Black Legend and the Real Woman
Antonia Keaney - Sarah Churchill: The Indomitable Duchess
Eleri Lynn - Styling the Stuarts
Julian Humphreys - Reformation not Revolution: The Real Intentions of the English Civil War Conflict
Katrina Marchant - Propaganda through Imagery in the Stuart Period.
Tickets go on sale this Friday!
Look out for an email with full details this Friday.
Sharing Opportunity on ‘On Progress with Anne Boleyn’ Tour
Would you like to come on a tour but don’t have anyone to come with?
The ‘On Progress with Anne Boleyn’ tour takes you to places visited by Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII in the summer of 1535 when they went on progress.
I have a sharing opportunity on this tour for a lady who would like to share a twin room.
Visit the Tour Page - Click Here
Email Us at office@britishhistorytours.com if you would like to take this opportunity.
Want to see what other tours we are doing in 2023? - Click Here
Before I leave you to your day, there are two live events that happened this week that I think you will enjoy.
Wednesday is our night for ‘History After Dark’ and this time we were talking about Henry V, the real history and how he is portrayed by Shakespeare - which version prevails! Watch Now on Instagram.
Thursday Tea Time Live
This week I was ‘On Location’ for Thursday Tea Time Live from Kenilworth Abbey, also called St Mary’s Abbey. I was able to walk viewers around what is remaining of the Abbey, which was founded in 1124 by the same man who built nearby Kenilworth Castle, Geoffrey de Clinton.
The Augustinian Priory enjoyed significant Royal Patronage and became very rich as a result. It was elevated to the status of an Abbey in the middle of the 15th century, by the Pope.
Over 400 years of monastic life, and its related community and business activities ceased in 1538 when the Abbot, Simon Jeykes, quietly surrendered the Abbey and began to enjoy a pension of £100 a year!
Watch the live from the ruins of St Mary's on Instagram.
Wishing you a fantastic day and week! Look out on Friday for a special subscriber email about the Stuart Summit History Festival!
Philippa
MD British History Tours and British History Events