The question over whether or not Katherine of Aragon was a virgin when she married Henry VIII is one that has been debated for about 500 years! Katherine maintained that her marriage to Arthur had never been consummated. Henry VII likely had some doubts about this, given that he desired her to marry…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Anne Boleyn
Mottos of the Six Wives
Today I want to take a look at the coronation mottos chosen by the six wives of Henry VIII. Each motto really seemed to fit the queen and her reign! Katherine of Aragon chose “Humble and Loyal” as her motto. She certainly lived up to this, and was very loyal to Henry, even…
Read MoreRoyal Mistresses
Monarchs throughout time have taken mistresses to satisfy their desires. Especially French kings had special places at court for their mistresses. There was in fact a particular title in the French royal court for a king’s mistress. The king’s official mistress is known best by the original French term, maitresse-en-titre. One…
Read MoreCourtly Love
The dynamics of courtly love, and the so called games of courtly love were very specific. The ideation of courtly ideals was incredibly popular throughout Europe in the medieval period. This usage of courtly love ideals carried over into the Tudor age. Anne Boleyn, for example, was well versed in the art…
Read MoreMy Top Ten British Royalty Period Pieces
The ten period pieces listed below are my personal favorites to depict the British monarchs! It is obvious that I am a lover of the Plantagenet and Tudor dynasties, so the period pieces here are all from the late medieval period and the Tudor era! Number 10: Mary Queen of Scots (2018) ~Margot Robbie…
Read MoreDoomed Tudor Queens
In the Tudor age there are four queens who were beheaded. The first was Anne Boleyn, the second was Katheryn Howard, the third was Lady Jane Grey, and the final was Mary Queen of Scots. These queens would be sentenced to death for various reasons during three separate reigns of Tudor monarchs. All…
Read MoreHenry VIII and Anne Boleyn
The love story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is an iconic one. This love story quite literally changed the fate of a nation! Henry fell in love with Anne likely sometime early in 1526, and at this point he had already become determined to divorce his current wife Katherine of Aragon.…
Read MoreMy Top 10 Favorite Historical Lovers
My final Valentine’s Day, and Love Week, love list this year is about historical lovers! Here are my ten favorite historical lovers! Number 10: Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII ~In time of ancient Egypt and Rome Cleopatra famously seduced Marc Antony. She had already fallen in love with and bore a son to…
Read MoreMy Top 5 Anne Boleyn Portrayals
In this post I will count down my top five actresses to have portrayed Anne Boleyn in films and television. I am very particular about how my favorite wife of Henry VIII is portrayed. Number 5: Claire Foy in Wolf Hall ~Claire Foy starred in the miniseries that centers on the life of Thomas…
Read MoreMy Top 5 Henry VIII Portrayals
In this post I will count down my top five actors to have given life to Henry VIII in films and television. Number 5: Ruairi O’Connor in The Spanish Princess ~In the series based on the life of Katherine of Aragon, and books by Philippa Gregory Henry VIII is portrayed by Ruairi O’Connor. During…
Read More
White Rose of Avalon 