Lady Jane Grey Reference Guide

Best Reads This Summer

Posted on 5th July 2015 by Tamise

Suitcase Essentials from the Sunday Times Culture

Non-Fiction History

God’s Traitors by Jessie Childs – A vivid, highly original history that sheds light on the suffering of Catholics under Elizabeth I. p. 30.

The Hollow Crown by Dan Jones – A racy and vigorous narrative history of the Wars of the Roses. p.31

Event Magazine – The 100 Hottest Summer Books (Mail on Sunday)

Paperbacks – Non-fiction

God’s Traitors by Jessie Childs – We all know Bloody Mary liked to burn Protestants. But Childs focuses on the fate of Catholics in the reign of her sister, Elizabeth I, in this gripping history. p.17

Saturday Review – Summer Books (The Times)

History

The Rival Queens: Catherine de Medici, her daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal that Ignited a Kingdom by Nancy Goldstone

Historians often suspicious of feminine perfection, are apt to equate beauty with frivolity and foolishness. This, perhaps explains the tendency to denigrate Marguerite de Valois (Margot), especially in comparison to her unscrupulous mother, Catherine de Medici. Nancy Goldstone gives this familiar of two queens a new twist by allowing Margot to shine. She argues that her subtlety, dexterity and resilience brought a modicum of stability to turbulent times, thus dampening the ruinous impact of her cruel and exploitative family. Goldstone’s gift is her ability to make human the often cardboard characters of 16th-century France. p. 15

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My review of Exploring English Castles: Evocative, Romantic, and Mysterious True Tales of the Kings and Queens of the British Isles by Edd Morris

Posted on 1st July 2015 by Tamise

This fascinating book by Edd Morris starts off with a brief history of the castle: from the Norman invasion of 1066, the motte and bailey, the development of the medieval castle to their decline.

He then looks at nine castles in great detail (Bodiam, Corfe, Dover, Dunstanburgh, Framlingham, Goodrich, Kenilworth, Rochester and Tintagel). For each castle there is a floor plan, lots of amazing photos, a brief history of the castle and notes on any curious features, such as the chimney pots at Framlingham. But what really brings each castle to life is how Morris takes ‘a snapshot of one of the most notable moments in the past.’

For those interested in Tudor history, the notable events at Framlingham and Kenilworth involve the Tudor Queens, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Through the inclusion of Framlingham, this book also has links to Lady Jane Grey, as Framlingham Castle was where Mary Tudor raised her standard against Queen Jane in July 1553.

Read this book before visiting any of the castles included!

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Books 2015 – on sale today – Exploring English Castles by Edd Morris

Posted on 1st July 2015 by Tamise

1 July – Exploring English Castles: Evocative, Romantic, and Mysterious True Tales of the Kings and Queens of the British Isles by Edd Morris

‘A guide to some of the most historical and picturesque castles in England for romantics and Anglophiles alike. Castles have shaped England. For almost one thousand years, castles have been the settings of siege and battle, dens of plotting and intrigue, and refuges for troubled kings. Today, the romantic yet ruinous shapes of once grand fortresses stud the English countryside–a reminder of turbulent times past. Exploring English Castles provides readers with a breathtaking tour through the grandest castles of England. It brings ruins to life through true stories of royalty, chivalry, deception, and intrigue, played out within formerly majestic walls. Uncover the secret of Bodiam Castle, Sussex–a fortress seemingly from a fairy tale, built for a knight returning from the Hundred Years’ War. Discover how Mary Tudor, first queen of England, took refuge in Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, overturning a wily plot to deny her the throne. Unearth a delicate love story between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, which unfolds against the genteel backdrop of Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire. Filled with evocative photographs, awe-inspiring historical tales, and gentle humor, Exploring English Castles will delight any armchair historian, travel aficionado, or fan of historical fiction.’

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Exploring Castles

Amazon.co.uk

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My review of ‘Watch The Lady’ by Elizabeth Fremantle

Posted on 26th June 2015 by Tamise

‘Watch The Lady’ plunges you back into life at the Tudor court, so magnificently depicted by Elizabeth Freemantle in ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and ‘Sisters of Treason.’ Mainly set in the last years of Elizabeth I’s reign, with all the tension of a dying dynasty, we meet Penelope Deveraux, who is forced to marry a man she does not love. Penelope must negotiate life at court, trying to avoid the fate of her mother (who dared to marry the Queen’s favourite), while supporting her brother, the Earl of Essex, as he plays his deadly game with his rival, Robert Cecil. ‘Watch The Lady’ is a fitting end to Fremantle’s fabulous Tudor trilogy.

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On sale now – The Story of the Tower of London by Tracy Borman

Posted on 24th June 2015 by Tamise

June – The Story of the Tower of London by Tracy Borman

‘This book reveals the fascinating stories, dramatic events and colorful characters that make up the Tower of London’s remarkably long and varied history. Written from a social perspective, it presents a fresh appraisal of this world-famous site and sets it apart from any other available book. It offers a comprehensive history of the fortress, from its Roman origins right up to the present day. With over 200 color illustrations and a comprehensive and chronological narrative divided into thematic chapters, it conveys brilliantly the many and varied stories which make up the Tower’s history from the menagerie and royal mint to the roll call of its famous prisoners. The story of the Tower of London is, in many respects, the story of England. When building work began on the fortress, the capital was little more than a small town with no more than 10,000 inhabitants. Almost 1,000 years later, the fortress still stands as a symbol of royal power, pomp and ceremony, tradition, heritage, military might, treachery and torture. Its myriad roles are reflected in the complex series of buildings that make up this formidable, magnificent fortress an iconic site that still attracts millions of visitors from across the world each year.’

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Tracy Borman

Further details – Amazon.co.uk

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