Lady Jane Grey Reference Guide

Books 2025 – a book with a link to Jane to look forward to….

Posted on 31st May 2025 by Tamise

4 September – The Stolen Crown: Treachery, Deceit and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty by Tracy Borman

‘In March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, lies dying at Richmond Palace. The queen’s ministers cluster round her bedside, urging her to name her successor – something she has stubbornly resisted throughout her reign. Almost with her last breath she whispers that James VI of Scotland should succeed her. She dies shortly afterwards and the throne of England passes peacefully from Tudor to Stuart.

Or so we’ve been led to believe . . .

But, as enthralling new research shows, this is not what happened. In the years that followed, history was literally re-written on the orders of James VI to hide the truth: Elizabeth went to her grave without formally naming an heir. The notion of an approved succession from Tudors to Stuarts is little more than an elaborately constructed fiction.

And so James’s rule in England began with a lie – a lie that went on to have devastating consequences. The Stuart regime rapidly descended into turbulence and uncertainty, conspiracy and persecution, witchcraft and gunpowder – culminating in the destruction of the monarchy in the English Civil War.’
‘

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Amazon.co.uk

Posted in Books that feature Jane | Tagged Books 2025, The Stolen Crown, Tracy Borman | Comments Off

Analysis of the ‘Edwards’ Lady Jane portrait…

Posted on 22nd May 2025 by Tamise

Stephan Edwards, the owner of a newly discovered ‘Lady Jane Grey’ portrait, has had the portrait analysed and you can watch the fascinating video here.

You can find out more:

Introducing the Edwards Portrait of Lady Jane Grey Dudley

Analysis of a ‘new’ portrait said to depict Jane Grey Dudley that appeared at auction in July 2024

Posted in Portraits | Tagged Edwards portrait, Stephan Edwards | Comments Off

‘Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I am not as Simple as I May Seem’ Blog Tour – Interview with Heather R Darsie

Posted on 18th May 2025 by Tamise

I am delighted to host a stop on the blog tour to celebrate the publication of ‘‘Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I am not as Simple as I May Seem’’ by Heather R Darsie.

Thank you to Heather and Amberley Publishing for asking me to take part.

Thank you to Heather for this interview.

What made you write about Katherine of Aragon?

I am intrigued by Henry VIII’s internationally-connected wives, especially Anna of Cleves and Katharine of Aragon. A few years ago, I realized that I had read very little if anything about Katharine’s family history. I sought to remedy that with this book. Hopefully I have.

What does your book add to previous works covering Katherine?

It does a deep-dive into the founding of her family’s dynasty with all of its violence and intrigue. I think I avoid over-glorifying Katharine’s parents. I also explain the reasons why she remained in England from 1502 to 1509; there was a lot more going on than Henry VII of England being a miser and Ferdinand II of Aragon being a callous father.

How do you think Katherine’s Spanish upbringing shaped her English Queenship?

I think having as much access to multiculturalism as Katharine did through architecture and even just the people around her at court helped her support the move toward the Renaissance and humanist thinking at the English court. In addition, Katharine learned the power of propaganda from her parents, which she surely supported when Henry VIII of England started using it during their reign.

What surprised you most researching this book?

How awful Katharine of Aragon’s paternal grandfather John II of Aragon was. He gives the word “ruthless” an entirely new, terrible perspective.

Is there something particular that people should know about Katharine?

Katharine was either so burdened or so sick by the end of her life that her ability to communicate in Spanish was slipping, which is reflected in her letters. She was having serious grammatical issues. It could also be indicative of the isolation she experienced during the last couple-few years of her life. To me, that is one of the saddest pieces of evidence of a tragic end to a once-proud life.

Buy ‘Katherine of Aragon, Spanish Princess:

Amazon.co.uk

Amberley Publishing

Follow Heather on Social Media:

Heather’s website: Maidens and Manuscripts
Twitter: @HRDarsieHistory

Other stops on the tour

Posted in Book Blog Tour | Tagged Book Blog Tour, Heather Darsie, Katherine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: 'I am not as Simple as I May Seem' | Comments Off

Books 2025 – on sale today – Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I am not as Simple as I May Seem’ by Heather R Darsie

Posted on 15th May 2025 by Tamise

‘On 4 November 1501, a fifteen-year-old girl arrived in England to marry the fifteen-year-old prince of that kingdom. Their parents, especially the boy’s, hoped that the marriage would secure the future of their family on the throne. Much excitement surrounded the safe arrival of Katharine of Aragon from Spain to England. She and her husband-to-be, Arthur Tudor, were engaged years before and spent their time exchanging letters in Latin, the only common language they shared. Katharine of Aragon has of course always been a fascinating historical figure as the first wife of the infamous Henry VIII. This book provides a new perspective on Katharine because it includes far more background on her Spanish upbringing and her Spanish culture, and how that continued to define her in England. Heather Darsie uses rich primary sources, such as the anonymous Receyt of Ladie Kateryne, which have been infrequently referenced in other biographies. In this, Heather’s multilingual abilities – especially her fluent Spanish – are put to good use. No one, for example, has considered the rippling impact of terminating Katharine’s marriage on the Trastamara and Habsburg dynasties in Europe. Katherine was as important abroad as she was in England. Her mother Isabella was a usurper and so was Henry VII; their attempts to ‘legitimise’ each other are examined here for the first time. How relevant to the history of England is Katherine’s Spanish background? Her daughter is Mary I.’

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Amberley Publishing

Further details – Amazon.co.uk