The Legend of the Dane's Skin
and what Mary, Queen of Scots' Letter tell us
Hello fellow history lover!
Since coming back after the Christmas break I have been focussed on the more detailed arrangements for 2023’s tour and with getting ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour, May 2024 ready for sale (see below for details). Unfortunately, that meant I had no time for any history travel. That is, until this week when I visited Worcester Cathedral Library and Archives to see some of their amazing treasures!
There is much more to come! Over the next few weeks I will be visiting Hever Castle, Belvoir Castle, Gloucester and Blenheim Palace. I’ll be writing about my visits in this newsletter, and talking about the on my Tea Time History Chat Live but, if you’d like to see real-time behind-the-scenes consider becoming a Patreon or Instagram Subscriber.
This week:
What do the letters of Mary, Queen of Scots, newly deciphered, tell us? On this ‘Tea Time History Chat Live’ - click here to watch on Youtube.
A gruesome Viking murder at Worcester Cathedral.
The Georgians are coming!
The Forty Elephants - who were they? Discussed on History After Dark this week.
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
2024 - The Anne Boleyn Tour, 16th - 20th May 2024
Gareth Russell is the Tour Historian
Tracy Borman and Kate McCaffrey now confirmed as Speakers
Tickets go on general sale this Wednesday at 3pm UK time. (Beat the queue)
Mary Queen of Scot’s Letters
This week I took a more detailed look into the 55, newly-deciphered, letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots. They give us over 50,000 words of Mary's secret communications to digest and make sense of. A detailed paper was published on the 8th February by George Lasry, Norbert Biermann & Satoshi Tomokiyo. They point out a number of key themes in the letters, including the possibility of Queen Elizabeth's marriage to the Duke of Anjou, Mary's concern over being moved and her strong dislike and distrust of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
I discussed the letters in detail in this week’s Tea Time History Chat Live - watch on Youtube or listen to the Podcast on Spotify.
In the next livestream, Wednesday 22nd February, at 1pm. I will be covering:
The 1000 year old Treasures of Worcester Cathedral
‘Catherine and Anne. Queens. Rivals. Mothers.’ exhibition
Join Me - Set a reminder on YouTube by clicking here.
A gruesome Viking murder at Worcester Cathedral!
There was a legend, long told, of a Viking killed by angry residents of Worcester. Tired of the raids which destroyed the City and terrorised the people, when given the opportunity for revenge, it was taken.
A Viking raiding party hit again, stealing treasures and valuables. One Dane, so intent on stealing the Sanctus Bell, became separated from the rest of the raiding party. The Danes fled, leaving the Sanctus Bell would be pilferer behind! The next bit, I warn you, is gruesome! The Dane was flayed alive and his skin nailed to the North Door, which faced the river by which the Viking raiders came, as a warning.
For many years this legend was considered just that, a legend, a story. That was until analysis was conducted on fragments attached to the ancient North Door.
The analysis revealed that they were human skin and dated from the right era!
The Georgians Online History Festival
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
The Anne Boleyn Tour 2024
Tickets released this Wednesday
Want to beat the queue? Members of my Patreon club always get 7 days to book all tours and events before tickets go on general release. Go to Patreon.
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.
Release Dates:
Patreon - Can book now! Members of the British History Patreon get 7 days to book before tickets go on general release.
General Release - Wednesday 22nd February. The tour will be published on our website BritishHistoryTours.com
History After Dark
This week we covered The Forty Elephants.
Next week I will be back to tell you about my visit to Hever Castle and the ‘Catherine and Anne’ exhibition.
Philippa x