Hello fellow history lover!

Well, I didn’t make it to Belvoir Castle this week either! I’ll tell you why a little later.

This week:

The Dissolution of the Monasteries was not what you think it was!
‘Tea Time History Chat Live’ - click here to watch on Youtube.
Sneak peek of The Georgian’s Talks from Tracy Borman, Gareth Russell, Dr Kat Marchant, Eleri Lynn, Antonia Keaney and Anne Stott.
I reveal the secret in Hever Castle’s Gatehouse - click here to see on Instagram
Isabella of France was this week’s Deceased Git in History After Dark. Scroll down for the link.
SAVE THE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT!
Scroll to the end to find out what the next Online History Festival will be about and when it will take place.

There is always a lot going on at BHT HQ and with this year’s tours fast approaching, next year’s either on sale or in development, and The Georgians Online History Festival next weekend, I had plenty to be getting on with with my time back.

Before we get into this week’s news may I request that after you finish that you hit ‘like’ and perhaps even leave a comment? It will help the newsletter be more discoverable to other history nuts like us ;-).

Many of you will have heard me say that I believe that an interest in history can, and should, give us all a sense of humility. A trait that means we can constantly reassess our views on events and people as more information crosses our paths. This skill (and it is a skill) can be applied to our knowledge of the past and the present.

It happened to me recently and about one of the biggest, if not the biggest in terms of scope and impact, event in Tudor and English history, the dissolution of the monasteries.

The Dissolution of the Monasteries

Almost by chance I came across a new book called ‘The Dissolution of the Monasteries. A New History’ by Professor James Clark. I devoured it and decided I must ask James if he would do an interview with me. Happily, he agreed and “Wow!” what an interview I have for you. More on that in a moment.

Think you know about the Dissolution of the Monasteries? Think again!

I would go so far as to say that if you ever utter the words ‘dissolution of the monasteries’ (and who doesn’t?) then you should read this book (or watch my forthcoming interview with Prof James Clark) before you do so again. The book has completely changed my understanding of what, how and why it happened.

James’ book is in response to his recognition that the narrative has been condensed and all nuance, lost. I would go so far as to say this contraction of the story, often told as an appendage to the Henry and Anne, or Reformation, stories, has left us with a highly inaccurate understanding from which we then extrapolate other views.

I talked about this during my Tea Time Live this week.

Watch Tea Time Live

Listen to the Podcast

Join me for Tea Time History Chat Live this week:

My next livestream will be on Wednesday 22nd March at 1pm.

In this week’s episode we’ll be talking about:

Archbishop Cranmer’s execution at Oxford
Elizabeth I’s final days and death.

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

Interview Coming Soon - Prof James Clark, The Dissolution of the Monasteries

I will be releasing this interview in two parts, during April. You will be able to find it on my Youtube channel and the Podcast and I will let you know here, on Substack, when each part is available to watch and listen to. The Patreon-only section, in which James answered Patrons fascinating questions including what Anne Boleyn thought of the closure of the monasteries, will also be available in April. Join British History Patreon.

Belvoir Castle visit was not to be!

Third time did not prove a charm. After an overturned lorry blocked my route first time, snow the second, I thought surely I would get there on the third arrangement, but alas it was not to be the case. The evening before I was due to go I had a message from the marketing manager there saying he was not longer working there and so couldn’t show me around the next day. Bizarre, but there we go!

The Georgians Online History Festival

Tracy Borman tells explains why, although she is known as a Tudor historian, her first book was on a Georgian Royal mistress!

Tickets include access to six talks from eminent historians, a live Q&A with Georgian historians and authors, a live closing event and entry into a free prize draw with fantastic prizes.

Click Here to Buy Tickets

All talks will be available to ticket holders until 31st 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 - Dressing the Georgians

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. The ‘People’s Princess’

Free Prize Draw Prizes

All Ticket Holders will go into a draw for one of the following prizes:

Ticket Refund: Get your ticket price refunded (1 prize)
Amazon Gift Voucher worth GBP£15/USD$15 (1 prize)
Signed copy of 'King's Mistress. Queen's Servant. The Life and Times of Henrietta Howard' by Tracy Borman.
Signed copy of 'The Lost Queen: The Life & Tragedy of the Prince Regent's Daughter' by Anne Stott.

Winners of the Free Prize Draw will be announced live at the closing event and will be contacted directly via email.

Buy Tickets

History After Dark

This week we discussed Isabella of France, wife of Edward II who was murdered at Berkeley Castle, possibly on her orders.

Watch History After Dark

Historical Tours - News

Sharing Opportunity on:
- The Private Life of Anne Boleyn Tour, 29th June - 4th July
  - Contact me on office@britishhistorytours.com if you are interested.

Hever Castle’s Gatehouse has a secret

Click here to find out what it is (will take you to Instagram)

Announcement - Save the Date!

The Tudors Online History Festival is coming this Autumn!

More details to come. Keep an eye our as there will be 30 Early Bird Tickets available

Once The Georgians Online History Festival closes on Sunday evening I will be turning my attention to firming up the rest of the British History Tours 2024 tour calendar. I will tell you more as soon as I can!

Philippa x

Subscribe now

Give a gift subscription

I knew it!