16 January 2013 – The Last Days of Richard III: The Book That Inspired the Dig (Paperback) by John Ashdown-Hill
‘The Last Days of Richard III contains a new and uniquely detailed exploration of Richard’s last 150 days, and explores these events from the standpoint of Richard himself and his contemporaries. By deliberately avoiding the hindsight knowledge that he will lose the Battle of Bosworth Field, we discover a new Richard: no passive victim, awaiting defeat and death, but a king actively pursuing his own policies and agenda. It also re-examines the aftermath of Bosworth: the treatment of Richard’s body; his burial; and the construction of his tomb. Based on newly discovered evidence and wider insights it explores the motives underlying these events. And there is the fascinating story of why, and how, Richard III’s DNA was rediscovered, alive and well, and living in Canada. John Ashdown-Hill has produced a stimulating and thought-provoking account of the end of Richard’s life. Even readers very familiar with his short life will discover a new and fascinating picture of him.’
Further details – Amazon.co.uk
28 February 2013 – Henry VIII and the Court by Thomas Betteridge and Suzannah Lipscomb
‘After 500 years Henry VIII still retains a public fascination unmatched by any monarch before or since. Whilst his popular image is firmly associated with his appetites – sexual and gastronomic – scholars have long recognized that his reign also ushered in profound changes to English society and culture, the legacy of which endure to this day. To help take stock of such a multifaceted and contested history, this volume presents a collection of 17 essays that showcase the very latest thinking and research on Henry and his court.Divided into seven parts, the book highlights how the political, religious and cultural aspects of Henry’s reign came together to create a one of the most significant and transformative periods of English history. The volume is genuinely interdisciplinary, drawing on literature, art history, architecture and drama to enrich our knowledge. The first part is a powerful and personal account by Professor George W. Bernard of his experience of writing about Henry and his reign. The next parts – Material Culture and Images – reflect a historical concern with non-documentary evidence, exploring how objects, collections, paintings and buildings can provide unrivalled insight into the world of the Tudor court. The parts on Court Culture and Performance explore the literary and theatrical world and the performative aspects of court life, looking at how the Tudor court attempted to present itself to the world, as well as how it was represented by others. The part on Reactions focuses upon the political and religious currents stirred up by Henry’s policies, and how they in turn came to influence his actions.Through this wide-ranging, yet thematically coherent approach, a fascinating window is opened into the world of Henry VIII and his court. In particular, building on research undertaken over the last ten years, a number of contributors focus on topics that have been neglected by traditional historical writing, for example gender, graffiti and clothing. With contributions from many of the leading scholars of Tudor England, the collection offers not only a snapshot of the latest historical thinking, but also provides a starting point for future research into the world of this colourful, but often misrepresented monarch.’
Further details – Amazon.co.uk
28 April 2013 – Elizabeth Woodville: Queen of England, Mother of the Princes in the Tower by David MacGibbon
Further details – Amazon.co.uk
30 April 2013 – The Arch Conjuror of England: John Dee (Paperback) by Glynn Parry
‘Outlandish alchemist and magician, political intelligencer, apocalyptic prophet, and converser with angels, John Dee (1527 – 1609) was one of the most colourful and controversial figures of the Tudor world. In this fascinating book – the first full-length biography of Dee based on primary historical sources – Glyn Parry explores Dee’s vast array of political, magical, and scientific writings and finds that they cast significant new light on policy struggles in the Elizabethan court, conservative attacks on magic, and Europe’s religious wars. John Dee was more than just a fringe magus, Parry shows: he was a major figure of the Reformation and Renaissance.’
